So due to the fact I can't make enough breast milk and the stress of not making enough, I had to quit trying to breast feed. That was 4 months ago. Lately I have been feeling as if my milk has been letting down. . . even though I quit a long time ago. And just bairly I started to leak from both breasts. Is this normal?? How long does it take for milk to completely dry up?
It is different for everyone, my friend still had leaky boobs a year later. I dried up in a week or two so you never know.
You are still lactating. I am very sorry that someone or something led you to believe you don't make enough milk. It is the #1 myth that ends nursing relationships. Trust me, you had plenty but between stress and probably an ineffective latch and/or use of artificial nipples (binkies and bottles), your milk varied. I know many moms who panic when they are nursing and then only pump a 1/2 oz. They think they are not making any milk, when in reality they make plenty, but their body will not be fooled by a pump.
Good job in trying! If you are interested, I can help you go back to nursing since you are still lactating.
Peace!
I don't remmeber how long it took for my milk to dry up from my older kids, but I am about to wean my 4 month old so this was a great question, thanks for asking it! I do know that the reason they advise that you do not wear underwire bras or restricting, super tight clothing while nursing is because it will hinder milk production... this is why women who are trying to dry up wrap their breasts with ace bandages or sleep on their stomachs. Also, benadryl (or any antihistimine) has a drying agent in it which might help. I know you asked about how long it takes, but I'm assuming it's bugging you which is why I offered suggestions on making the process go a little faster :) Best wishes!
Yes, it is normal.. This will sound strange, but place cabbage leaves in your bra. They will help top dry up your breast..
I can remember that I was still leaking when my son was 3 years old. I heard that if your body is low in progesterone then you will do this. I had a friend who gave milk for about 10 years after she quit breastfeeding. You can try wearing a tight sports bra and not letting the milk come down.
Totally normal. I stopped BF about a year ago and still occassionally have that "let down" feeling. It will stop eventually.
I went to see the doctor about 10 months after I stopped nursing my last child with discharge from my breast. I was concerned. I told him that it kind of reminded me of breast milk. He said it probably was. He did a breast exam just to be sure, and everything was fine. Every once in a while I would get a little milk leak out. I did have a bit of a lumpy spot that he said was probably a duct that never completely dried up so that could be what is happening or you could just still have some residual milk in there. It takes a surprisingly long time, especially if it is not your first baby. This was with my 4th baby and it took almost 18 months to be milk free.
I actually still had milk leak out a little bit for probaby a year or more after i quit! It was weird!
My breasts are leaking and I haven't even HAD another baby yet lol! ...Although I'm due in 8 weeks so that's probably why.
I leaked a lot at first, then it stopped - and then a few weeks later would leak again... but not much, just enough to be noticeable. I wouldn't worry about it.
With my oldest son I stopped nursing at 5 weeks because I just couldn't make enough milk for him. I was taking fenugreek, drinking insane amounts of water and diluted juice... I was even taking this awful tasting liquid tonic from the health food store that had a ton of extracts in it to help produce milk and stimulate lactation.... nothing worked. I was getting about 1.5-2 ounces from each side every 3 hours or so don't feel bad. My son weighed 9 lbs. 6 oz. when he was born, and trying to give him a few ounces at each feeding was a joke. He'd scream all while nursing because there wasn't any more left, and so I'd just let him nurse on nothing hoping it would stimulate my body to make more..... never happened. Eventually I felt cruel and selfish for trying to force it... I mean for goodness' sake feed that baby when he's hungry! Anyway - we swapped over at around 6 weeks and he immediately slept through the night (like, THAT NIGHT)... ate like a lummox for 3 or 4 days, gained all of his birth weight back (he had lost a lot because of our breast feeding issues.....got down to 6 lbs.)..... I felt so much better. Even with all of that - my milk was still hanging out for a while. Its normal. You had a baby recently. You're body knows its supposed to be lactating, so its just doing it job.... even if its just a tiny bit!
I'm sure the leaking will stop once more time has gone by.
This is probably not the answer you want, but it can take a really long time! I nursed my daughter for a year, and it took a good year after that for my milk to completely dry up! But it does happen, I promise!
i don't think there is a time limit for your breast milk to dry out. I had to stop breast feeding when my son was 6 months old and he's four now and if i squeeze my breast right now a little will come out. and believe it or not everyonce in a while I can feel my milk fall!! lol imaine my surprise when i feel that happen. but nothing happens when it falls i think it just stays in there because it doesn't leak out. I asked my doc what was going on and he said one of his patients has an 8 year old and she still has milk in her breasts so go figure.
