Question about breastfeeding?

Question

How long does it take for your breast milk to dry up when you want to quit breastfeeding?

I've completely weened my baby away from breast milk to formula, and just wondering how long it will take (it hurts!!)

Thanks!

Answer 1

It can take days or weeks--it's a totally individual thing. There are some things you can do to speed up the process:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/weaning/lactation-suppression.html
http://www.bflrc.com/ljs/breastfeeding/dryupfst.htm

Cabbage leaves work, but only cause they are cold. People say to use cabbage leaves because of their shape, molds nicely to, lets say, ummmmm . . . an engorged breast. cutting the veins simply soften the leaves.

Do not bind your breasts to help your milk "dry up." This is an outdated practice that can cause plugged ducts, breast infection, or breast abscess.

Don't eat oatmeal (some women with over supply swaer it is evil! LOL)

If your breasts feel full and uncomfortable when you don't nurse at a specific time, then express just enough milk to relieve the fullness. You can do this by pumping for a couple of minutes or hand expressing. The less milk you remove, the quicker your body will realize it doesn't need to produce. Sometimes just taking a hot shower will do the job - anything that relieves the fullness is fine. If you are comfortable without expressing at all, that's okay too.

Do express or pump if you get uncomfortably full. It's not good for your body to not have any way of relieving the fullness. Pumping or hand expressing (learn how at http://www.lactationinstitute.org/MANUALEX.html)just enough milk to relieve discomfort will not prevent your milk supply from decreasing. What causes milk production to stay the same or increase is adequate milk removal. If only a small amount of milk is removed from the breast, then milk production will decrease. In addition, expressing a little milk will relieve your discomfort and make it less likely that you'll develop plugged ducts, a breast infection, or an abcess.

Tylenol or Advil for discomfort

Take pseudoephedrine--120 mg/day, a decongestant. research shows that it can decrease milk supply by as much as 24%. (found in Sudafed, Actifed)

To use dried sage (Salvia officinalis) for reducing milk supply, take 1/4 teaspoon of sage 3x per day for 1-3 days. You can mix the sage in vegetable juice (for example, V-8), but it won't mix well into other juices. You can also mix it into other foods. If you don't like the taste of sage, try putting it into a tiny piece of sandwich and swallowing it whole - peanut butter or something else a bit sticky seems to work best for holding the sage in place. Tear off the corner of the sandwich containing the sage (it should be a very small section) and swallow it without chewing (that's why you need a very small section).

To use sage tea for decreasing milk supply, infuse 1 tablespoon of dried sage in 1 cup of boiling water (or 20g dried sage in 50 ml boiling water). Steep for 5-15 minutes. Drink 1 cup, 2 - 6 times per day.

You can use a tincture of sage instead: 30-60 drops of tincture, 3-6 times a day.

Another effective treatment is to apply fresh, crushed jasmine flowers (Jasminum sambac) to the breasts to decrease milk flow. A study has shown this to be effective

Other herbs that can decrease milk supply: Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Spearmint, Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), Chickweed, Black Walnut, stinging nettles (not nettle - that increases milk supply), Yarrow, Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum), Lemon Balm, Oregano, Periwinkle Herb (Vinca minor), Sorrel (Rumex acetosa).

Sage, peppermint, spearmint, lemon balm, oregano, and cabbage leaves can all be incorporated into a pressed oil (cold pressed or hot) to make massage oils for milk suppression.

Peppermint essential oil has been used traditionally for decreasing milk supply. Peppermint tea is a very weak form of peppermint and only large amounts (quarts) would be expected to decrease milk supply. Some women have successfully used the strong peppermint candies (for example, Altoids® Curiously Strong Peppermints) for decreasing milk supply (a few per day aren't likely to affect supply, though).

If your not planning on another baby soon Estrogen-containing contraceptives have been linked to low milk supply

However, weaning should not be done cold turkey. Elimanating one feeding at a time is ideal. Night feedings should be the last to go.

HTH

Answer 2

IT can take Forever! I breastfed all three my children. My youngest is 6 and I can still express some milk- if I tried- but the easiest way to avoid the pain is to ween the child slow since you are both weening you and the baby- breastmilk is supply and demand... if you cut down feedings slowly then the milk will dry up slowly..usually a months time will make it not very painful. I found easiest when it hurt tremendously to just pump some out not alot just to releave the pressure... If you want to suffer it will take a week or two ... of heavy swollen sometimes leaking breasts.. Good luck

Answer 3

It can vary, really.

The least painful way is to slowly ease into the weaning, but too late for that :)

The recommendations I've heard (never tried any) are tight sports bras, cold cabbage leaves inside the bra - no clue why this works, and as little stimulation as possible. You just want to be careful that the milk buildup doesn't turn into mastitis. Let your doctor know if you suddenly have flu-like symptoms and red streaks on your breasts - signs of infection.

Answer 4

Noggin_Mama's answer is dead on and I really don't have anything to add so I thought I would make light of the subject and say. Relieve some of the pressure by target shooting. It's 3am your engorged and can't sleep. shoot your hubby, then act like nothing happened. No reason why he should get all the rest! :o) And if your single put a picture of the baby's daddy on a dart board. This could be a great stress reliever as well!

Answer 5

well it usually takes up to a month some times longer depending on how long you breastfed. but dont express to much milk because your body will try to replace it but you can express enough to keep them from becoming engorged, red and extremly soar. i usually express mine in the shower warm water helps for faster milk let down. and you can use alot of ppl say ice packs but i just used cold water on paper towles and put on my breasts for the pain. theres not much else you can do really but the good thing is it wont last for ever hope i helped some.

Answer 6

I know how you feel. Hurts like hell. I've had 2 children and with both of them it took me about a week before i dried up. Good luck. I dont know if you knew this but raw cabbage leaves wrapped around your breast really helps. (make sure the leaves are cold)

Answer 7

well i have a 3 week old and i have alot of milk in me but sometimes my breast hurts too but now im on cream what my doc gave me.

Answer 8

Could take a week or months to completely dry up.
Lets just hope it takes a week, LOL

Answer 9

For some, a month. for others, several months. It all depends on what your body will do.