Help! I am already leaking breastmilk and I am only 6 months prengant. I do not plan on breastfeeding because of certain medicines that I will have to take once my baby is born. Right now I am on a low enough dose that it does not affect my pregnancy, but I know the dosage will go up after I give birth so it will be a risk to breastfeed. Does anybody know if I can get the milk to go ahead and dry up so that I don't have to deal with bad engorgement? I leaked breastmilk toward the end of my pregnancy with my first son but I was able to breastfeed him so I did not have to deal with this as bad. I really don't want to be hugely engorged with no way to get relief since I will not be breastfeeding this time. Will cabbage leaves work if I start using them now? Just wondering if anybody else has been through this and tried to get the milk to go ahead and dry up.
I was hoping that someone had been through this and gotten the leaking to stop but no good advice yet. I have been wearing a tight fitting bra and it had lessened it some. I have not tried the cabbage leaves yet as I do not want to smell funky all day! If it gets worse I will try it.
I argree with Sharie, this is colostrum and not milk. I just did this, this summer while I was pregnant with my 3rd. I pumped but it wasn't anything I could use later cause it's so thick. Just put cabbage leaves in your bra, they will help with engorgment and later help you dry up! Good luck!
I would just get some bra pads and bear with it for three months. Change them often so you don't get a yeast infection. Trying to get the colostrum to dry up before delivery may not be healthy.
I have heard of people using the breast shells to collect leaking milk, and then storing it to give to your baby. I don't have any experience with this, but I think they are like a nipple protector, and stay inside your bra.
If you do get engorged after your baby is born, lean over a sink or bowl full of lukewarm water. The milk will run out and relieve some of the pressure, but will not empty enough to increase your supply. Avoid hot showers and hot compresses, they will feel good but release too much milk. Cold compresses are okay, or soothies inside the bra feel good.
Even though you don't plan on breastfeeding, still avoid underwire bras or too tight bras until after the milk has dried up so you won't get a plugged duct or mastitis.
Have you considered taking a DHA/Omega-3 supplement while pregnant? That can help both you and your baby.
Also, are you getting good prenatal care? Be on the watch for signs of preterm labor. I don't know if leaking milk early is a sign of earlier labor, but my first was early and I had leaking early. Just know the signs and be on the watch.
I'm not trying to second guess you, but have you checked with the pediatrician about the meds you are on? They may give you a different answer than another doctor, as the well-being of infants is your specialty.
Happy and healthy pregnancy and birth to you!
I believe that your body's signal to produce milk is triggered by the delivery of your baby. I don't think you can do anything to stop that once the baby is born. Drying up will have to take it's course. I am not sure what you can do now that can stop the leaking. If you do find a solution it will only be temperary until the baby arrives and the post pregnancy hormones kick in. After the birth and you will dry up naturally because the baby isn't nursing.
My daughter was taking a drug that made her breast leak and she wasn't pregnant. It was a side-effect of the drug. The dr. took her off that drug because of that.
I did this w/ my second pregnancy. There I was at Christmas supper with the WHOLE extended family and BOOM! started leaking. I was not expecting it at all b/c my milk didnt come in w/ my first child until a week after she was born. I dont know if there is anything you can do about it but I would ask your MD. I didnt worry about it b/c mine was off and on for 2 months and then she was born. It was never painful to me just embarassing when it happened the first time in front of so many people. Get good pads until you find out until anything can be done. You might also try cabbage in your bra. This is how many people dry up their supply naturally after birth. I never did this, I heard it can stink but just change the leaves often and maybe it wont be that bad. Good luck and congrats!!!!!
Right now, your body is preparing for baby and making milk is one of them. And it's not milk you are leaking, it's colostrum, which is the baby's first 'milk' for a few days after they are born. It's completely normal and nothing you can do about it either. As far as after the baby is born, you can just let the milk come in and the dry up on it's own. Just don't pump or nurse the baby otherwise your body will make more. It can take a few days and be quite uncomfortable as you will get engorged during the process.
Good luck!
S.
pump it and freeze it so you can still give the baby breast milk. Then you dont have to worry about the meds. it lasts for six months in the freezer. just thaw it in hot water. my son wouldnt latch on so i pumped and frooze the extra. even after i stopped pumping i had enough to give him 1 bottle of breastmilk a day for several weeks. if i would have known he wouldnt latch on i would have pumped more before he was born to stock pile. i started leaking a few days beore my induction so i pumped a couple of bottles and it was a life saver when he wouldnt latch on. it bought time for my to pump more while he ate the older stuff. plus you save money on formula! good luck!
