Need Advice on How to Stop Producing Milk

What kind of protein intolerance is it? My son has a protein intolerance for dairy proteins, but as long as I steer clear of dairy we can breastfeed. 111

As for decreasing production, I'm afraid I have no suggestions.

Hi there. I would not give up on breast feeding just yet. My son and my nephew both had this issue and both my sister and I breast feed. Please go to www.mspiguide.com and get the book. Yes will you have to make sacrifices to continue to breast feed but as you already know it will be so worth it. You can change your diet so that you don't pass the protein onto the baby. I hope this helps. Good luck. There is also a family forum on that website, so you have other moms who are also going through this too.

This guide to poop is very helpful.

http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/pediatricks/poop.asp

Could it be that your child is merely allergic to something that you are eating? Like dairy?

I would explore more options before going down the formula road. Best of luck!

Have you talked to a lactation consultant? Perhaps there is something you can remove from your diet to help with that (for instance, if you stopped consuming diary...)
If that's not an option, than Sage is actually the thing you want to take to stop your milk. You can get a tincture at Whole Foods, Pharmaca, Pump Station (other places I'm sure).

http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/herbs-oversuppl...

Hi L.,

I don't actually have the answer to your question, but are you absolutely SURE you want to give up on breastfeeding? My son (now 6 mos.) had/has the same issue of milk protein allergy which we discovered at around 1 month old. I have had to majorly modify my own diet, but we have made it work and he and I are still happily breastfeeding. His bloody stools and pain has completely subsided. I'd be happy to talk with you about food alternatives and recipes...just email me back and I'll give you my phone # so we can chat.

Best wishes!

that sounds odd..have you gotten a 2nd opinion? i would hate to think you would have to give up bfing and substitute w/ formula..i would try formula first and see how he does with it..and i would pump and save..you can also donate or sell your breast milk. Have you asked on kellymom.com ?
maybe it's what you're eating..i had to eat really bland foods..so i stuck w/ sandwiches..no dairy...you can google what to eat. good luck*

try cabbage leaves in your bra (only while at home). I know it sounds silly, but it works.

So sorry to hear that. I hope you got a 2nd opinion and it's not just a food sensitivity on his part, etc.

Mammary PMG is a natural way, but you can get a drug to dry up your milk. I still had milk for 6 months after my son weaned himself at 16 months, but not enough to be uncomfortable.

Ice packs and tight sports bras...it should go away in a few days...

-M

Yes, chilled green cabbage leaves!! I had a horrible bout of Mastitis with my son when he was 6 months and I had to reduce my milk supply quickly. My lactation consultant told me about chilled cabbage leaves. There is a chemical in them that reduces your milk supply. Just wash each leaf pat it dry and leave them in the fridge in a ziplock. Put enough leaves to cover your entire breast into your bra. Keep them in until they feel wilted and then change them out. I did this for about a week and boy did it work.
Good luck!!
S. David

L.,

My now 2.5 year old son is allergic to both dairy and soy proteins. Much to the amazement of both his pediatrician and his pediatric GI doctor, I continued to breastfeed him. I did eliminate both dairy and soy from my diet which is not an easy thing to do but it was something I felt I needed to do for his health. I breastfed him until he was 18 months old. Now at 2.5 he's still allergic to both proteins but he's a healthy, happy, active boy.

In some cases a baby can be so over sensitized to proteins that switching to something like Neocate is the only answer. But that is really pretty rare. Whether or not you are willing to live with a strict elimination diet is really up to you. In most cases it is possible if you want to do it.

In the meantime, if you decide you aren't going to breastfeed (or if you are one of the unlucky ones that really doesn't have an option), check out www.kellymom.com. It is by far the best breastfeeding resource I've found. There are lots of ways to reduce your milk supply. Things like sudafed, sage tea, and cold cabbage leaves (the cabbage leaves stuffed into your bra) can help you dry up faster and with less pain. When I weaned my boys, I would pump just until I was comfortable, not to empty my breasts. My supply dropped steadily and I was able to quit within a week with little to no pain.

Good luck to you. Being a mom to a food allergic child is not easy.

T.

If you're open to it, talk to your doctor about going on a birth control pill. When my daughter was only a few months old I was forced to go back on the pill (due to some crazy problems with my period) and it diminished my milk supply quite a bit (I was exclusively breastfeeding, so I was actually pretty discouraged about the whole thing) - plus that was just the "mini-pill"! I'm sure the regular pill would make you dry up pretty fast...

L.,
I know that this is a devastating thing to think about. Just remember it is for the good of your son. Just know that you are doing what is good for him in the long run. The only thing that really can be done for drying up is wrapping. You need to wear breast pads and wrap with an ace bandage. You need to wrap is pretty tightly. You will be sore for a while, and it can take two to three weeks. No bras during this time, you need the binding to do it's trick. Your breasts will leak so make sure to have extra pads with you. Careful when you shower, because having the water hit the breast can also lead to milk expression and it is like starting all over again. Years and years ago they would give you a shot that would stop your milk production, they do not do that anymore. Someone also suggested taking antihistamines, but I don't know if that would work or not. I don't take medications unless I have to. Hope this helps.

L.,
I was in your shoes in June 08. I cut all diary out of my diet, but I wasn't reading labels carefully so baby continued to have issues like eczema.. Cutting diary out of my diet was the hardest thing I had to do, I thought about quitting BF so many times but I continued to BF until baby was 8 months, then we went to Nutrimagen... Do what is right for you and your baby, and if that means formula than so be it. There are many healthy and smart babies that are raised on formula. I used a homeopathic tablet call Lac Caninum to help dry my breast. You can buy at a health food store, 4 tabs under the tongue 4 times a day. Good luck!

Perhaps you could contact the Le Leche league in your area and give them the milk that needs to be pumped. Only pump when you have to and the lessening of pumping will stop your milk naturally. Otherwise, pump as you need to and only as it gets too uncomfortable. Your doctor may be able to give you something to dry you up also. Remember that you can get pregnant sooner (sometimes) when you stop breastfeeding.

I am so sorry you are in this position! Something to remember, you know your baby better than anyone else. As you go through this process, trust your instincts. I agree with the other moms that a second opinion in this case is a good idea. If you are already there, try the cabbage leaves in the bra. I know it sounds crazy, but it actually did provide me with a lot of relief when I weaned my little ones. (You get used to walking around smelling like a salad for a few days. :) )

Hi L.,

My acupuncturist once told me that you can do 2 things to stop producing milk: drink a strong brew of sprouted barley tea (available in any asian market) OR soak your breasts with water and epson salt for about 3-4x/day and you should see result within 3-5 days. If you're going to try the epson salt, be sure to moisturize the skin as it can dry out the skin.

Good luck!

My son had a similar problem, and I found out he was allergic to milk protein that was passing through the breast milk. I stopped eating dairy, kept breastfeeding, and he stopped having blood in his stools. Not sure what kind of testing you have had done, but that was my experience.

As for milk production. Ice packs and just waiting it out. express only enough to relieve the pain. The more you express, the more you will produce.

Hugs. I know this is hard.

I had a similar problem and baby got checked for anemia. He was fine so doctor put me on a no-dairy and no citrus diet. Slowly bloody stools went away. Baby is now 8 months old and thriving. Good luck.

I am sorry that this has been difficult but sounds like it is the only way for your son! I know that the tried and true way to stop producing milk is to rub Caster Oil on your breast! Within a week you will decrease about 80%! Keep in up until it is gone! Good luck! This really does work!
E.

Why be devastated? Your baby will thrive on formula. Now you can share the joy of feeding him with family and friends. You will also know just how much he is getting. This can be critical.
Your doctor can help you with stopping your milk.
Have fun with you baby and enjoy him.
B. v. O.

I was EXACTLY you about 2 months ago!! My 3 month boy(then, 1 month) had bloody stools as well. First, we started him on Nutramigen, which takes the edge off the pain and stopped the bloody poops! Second, I had to deal with some severe pain(emotionally and physically!). Here's what I was told to do: Wear tight bras 24/7....Put cold compresses on my breasts..and no massage. What I also did was to let myself relieve a little pressure when the pain was severe. I would pump out about 1/2 oz on each breast. I have to say it was difficult to pull off the pump only after a few secs on, but in the matter of 3-4 days, 90% of my production stopped. Most important advice I received from my husband. He said that I am a great mother and in the big picture our baby would not be affected in any way because we have to go to formula! We can't control our babies digestive system, and these days, formula is full of nutrients. We were satisfied that we were able to give him the colostrum and feed him my milk for a couple weeks. I really understand how you are feeling. Good Luck Lynette!

L. F

Hi L.,
When you are absolutely sure you want to stop, you can apply green cabbage leaves to your breasts. I know it sounds funny, but it worked for me. I put a leaf inside each cup of my bra, and slept with it, walked around during the day, etc. You should change the leaves as they wilt, and put fresh ones in.
The key with stopping milk production is to avoid engorgement which can lead to infection. If you are feeling extremely full or engorged, pump or hand express JUST ENOUGH so you are comfortable- if you release too much your body will think it needs to replace what is missing.
Good Luck!
C.

First, stop beating yourself up. I couldn't nurse either of my children b/c of a car accident I had before they were born. I tried for months with my daughter and it was miserable for all of us. I found the easiest way to dry up my milk was to wear two tight fitting jogging bras and put cabbage leaves inside my bras on my breast. It helped immensely with my second child. Caution, remember to change out the leaves after about 6-8 hours b/c the smells is ripe. Hope that helps.

Awww, too bad. Hopefully your son will recover soon.
Well, I've heard (but never tried myself) that if you place cabbage leaves inside your bra for a day or so, your milk will stop. Sounds weird, I know..but worth a try.

I don't know if you've gotten help with this yet but just in case I wanted to let you know how I stopped. What you need to do is buy some cabbage. Get a leaf of it and put cuts through the veins and put them on ur breast tight. I bought the band you usually put on ur ankle when you sprain it and but it abound my breast tight and then wore a sports bra on top of that. I hope i helped and good luck!

Hi L., your doctor should be able to give you something to dry up your milk. My doctor gave me a little white pills after each on of my 3 kids were born to dry up my milk, What a relief it was. J. L.