Trying to Dry up Breast Milk

Those last few times I pumped, I just pumped enough to take out an ouce on each side...just enough to relieve myself...seemed to send a message to the brain the the milk wasn't needed. Haven't had any leakage since.

It took close to a month for my milk to dry up. Wear a tight bra and don't get them warm in the shower. It all goes away but it takes longer than most say it does.

I had to put on a sports bra and wrap an ace around me and it took me several weeks of this

Hey,

It can take a long time for all of your milk to go away. I had 4 kids close together and mine never really went away completely until after my 4th was weaned. I did wean very slowly though. That helped but it was still uncomfortable. I good bra and some Motrin will help!

I don't know how long it's supposed to take, but it took me several weeks after I stopped breastfeeding my son. Even then I had occasional/random leaking (very small amounts) for a few more weeks.

It takes time -- your body had 9 months of pregnancy to gradually prepare for breastfeeding, and it also takes some time to stop producing breastmilk. My younger son was 22 months old when I weaned him (so not nursing as much as a 6-month old), but I was still able to express breastmilk for a few weeks afterwards, although I wasn't "engorged" when I stopped nursing him. When my younger son weaned (in a day, when he was 13 m/o), I tried to get him to nurse for a week afterwards and he always completely refused. I know I was able to express b'milk during that week, but didn't try after that.

I always allowed my supply to gradually decrease, replacing feedings with bottles or meals and was able to stop without significant engorgement. Stopping cold turkey like it appears that you have can make it much harder. Remember, your milk supply had to gradually increase to satisfy the baby. Even if you don't go back to nursing directly, try to decrease the times that you pump gradually (one less time every 3-4 days). If you've never experienced a mastitis infection, you certainly wouldn't want to cause one by trying to stop too quickly.
Though it never happened to me, I did have a friend who started the "wet nurse" effect 6 months after she weaned her youngest child. It took her several months to resolve it again. My best advice is take it slow. I used the milk I pumped when weaning to mix the baby's oatmeal.
Hang in there!

It certainly takes longer than a week! more like three or four. Try binding your breasts up very tightly with an ace bandage and wearing sports bras. Make sure to avoid any nipple stimulation and if they get too engorged you're not gonna hurt the process much by taking a warm shower. Ice helps relieve the pain also, but be sure you're taking steps not to get impacted.

Also, little if never spoken of is the "wet nurse" effect. Be aware that there are women who never completely dry up. I, for instance, leaked a little every once in awhile for the six years between my two children. it's rare, but a possibility. It doesnt last with pain, however, just fyi. You would still get the tingling tho.

Sorry I don't have better news! If you're plugged into Bradley, la leche, or ilca tap that resource for information too... good luck!

I taught this step for 9 years as a labor and delivery nurse. Empty your breast, either feed baby, pump or squeeze them out in the shower. as soon as you are empty put on a TIGHT sports bra. Do not take this off except to shower then immediately back on. Do this for a week.

Hi J.,

Everone's body is different. I had my son down to nursing a couple of times a day and was engorged for about a week or so, but my milk didn't completely dry up for about 2 years and the Dr and LLL didn't have any suggestions as to stop it. I tried everything. I'm sure that's not what you wanted to hear, but just know that your results won't necessarily be like anyone elses.

Good luck!

I did it gradually, to the point where I got down to one feeding a day on one side only, then once the next day on the other side, for a couple of days, then stopped, so I was only uncomfortable for a couple of days after that (with both my kids). I don't think it would hurt to pump once a day just to relieve the pressure.

Hello

My first daughter I did an ice pack. After a few hours it pretty much dried up. My second one I nurse less and less and then eventually it stopped on its own.Hope this helps and good luck.

J., I slowly weaned. Daytime at 18 months, nightime at 21 months. The last time I nursed was in Novemeber 2008. I still have a little bit of milk, more on one side, and more around "that time of the month." I have 5 close girlfriends who are La Leche League leaders. It took one a little over a year to dry up completely! Sometimes it can take a month, sometimes a year. I found that pumping at day 2,5, and 8 really helped. It kept me from being painfully engoreged and from getting any infection. Take Care, S.

I have not tried it but someone I know was in Germany and the midwife there suggested she use Sage Tea (or sage in general) to dry her up. She said she immediately dried up (the next morning). Also, when I was nursing my first son I got a cold and the doc said I could take benadryl or decongestant but there was the risk that I would dry up. The reasoning behind this is that it dries up any mucous in the body and that is all the milk is. I would try the sage first.

Old Fashion Advise-
Wrap a towel around yourself - really tight.
It can be difficult to teach your hormones NOT to react to your baby's cry, cuddling and love.
You have taught your body a routine and now you are changing it - It just may take longer than the average. We are all very different.
Hopes this helps.....
J.

I agree with the first response to this post. I had the same problem. Then, when it got unbearable, I pumped just enough so that it didn't hurt any more. I think the next day it stopped (though if i squeeze my boob today, I can still get some milk and it's been since last August!)

Hey girl...try using Benadryl it will dry it up in no time...that is what I did! Hope that helps!