How long does it take for your breast milk to dry up when your done breastfeeding?

Question

I have a pretty large chest, and I was just wondering how long it takes for the milk to dry up and also what I can do to try and relieve the pain of it, because I hear it's very painful.

Answer 1

Wean your child gradually if you can. It's a lot less painful to dry up if you're only nursing once a day or once every few days.

If you do have to stop abruptly (I had to start some meds) use a breast pump or hand express some of the milk when your breasts get engorged. Express just enough to make them feel better without emptying them. They will slowly quit producing on their own. Once you are down to expressing every other day, you can quit completely. I had one day of discomfort, no real pain, doing it that way.

Answer 2

It took anywhere from a couple of weeks to a little longer for mine to dry up. As far as the pain goes, think how your breasts used to feel around the time of your period. It was a little worse than that for me. The good news is that you can take Tylenol or Ibuprofen because you will no longer be breastfeeding.

Another thing that really helped me--and don't laugh, it really did work--take a large head of green cabbage, wash and dry it well, and put them in a zip bag in the freezer. When they are completely frozen, line your bra cups with them. They really worked wonders for me.

Answer 3

I couldn't breast feed my second child because of problems but the nurse at the hospital told me to put cold cabbage leaves in my bra use big enough leaves to cover the largest part of your breasts they will relieve the pressure of the milk still being produced. After a couple of days don't put the cabbage in there and see how it works without it. But if the pressure is still too much put the cabbage pack in there for about 2 more days and just keep repeating it until the pain/pressure is finished.

Answer 4

As for me, I was so engorged it hurt and I let the pressure out by letting some milk out here and there in the shower or in a nursing pad. I tried the cabbage and that didnt work for me. Ibuprofen didnt either as it was too painful for anything really to help. The only thing that helped me was relieving the pressure little here and there. It took about 2 weeks I guess for it to be totally dried up. Good Luck--

Answer 5

cabbage leaves do help with pain, but also try to take a shower with your back to the water, and make sure you dont stimulate your nipples, as this causes the milk to stay. i got mastitis in my right breast due to milk pooling in the breast. i just wrapped myself up in a ace bandage(i had to have the real wide one as i am well endowed too) and i applied a heating pad as my medical ran out so i had no access to healthcare. and it worked. it was quite painful, but after that i had no problems. so bind yourself if you wish, use cabbage leaves instead. whatever you do make sure to eat well, drink plenty, and get some good sleep. kids can be trying at any age.

Answer 6

for some people it takes a month but with my first, it took me almost a year to be completely dry. it can be painful because you will become engorged. what my midwife told me to do was wrap an ace bandage around my chest tightly for a couple of days. also cabbage leaves work really well. good luck

Answer 7

i took about 2 weeks to be completely dry and on full week t rid of swelling and tenderness. Cold cabbage leaves help they have a natural way of releiving pressure and they feel good cold

Answer 8

My mid wife told me to buy a cabbage and put cabbage leaves over my breasts in my bra, change when they wilt.... it worked took about one cabbage head or a couple days.

Answer 9

you have to just leave them alone. I remember how sore they get. It shouldnt take too long a couple of weeks maybe.

Answer 10

It varies from person to person but the cold cabbage leaves really work, i put mine in the freezer not the fridge. It was bliss, plus the pain isnt as bad as people say.