Stopping Breast Feeding, Need Some Advise on Drying up Milk Supply

Congrats! No sweat on stopping i had a hard time with my son and breast feeding. I gave up when he was 1 month old but kept giving him breast milk and at six weeks i just gave it all up. My best advice is ice packs. sleep with them and all. It tooks about a weeks before it was tolerable again. Good luck!

As someone who had to make that same decision, I'm sorry for what you're going through and glad that you were able to come to some resolution. Unfortunately, I can't relate to the overproduction issues - that's why I had to stop! I have heard that sage decreases milk production. Not exactly an herb that you'd enjoy eating by itself, but maybe you could make something savory. Good luck with all of it!

There are some teas, I think from Angel Baby, Earth Mama, that are supposed to make the milk taste not so good (for weaning), and decrease your supply. I would say to pump when you should be feeding, but don't pump completely. Then spread out the pumpings. It may take awhile to be done with it, but I personally would go this route. I have "skipped" pumpings due to work or something else, and it is SOOO painful and I leak so much. I think I would rather have it take longer than be more painful....just my opinion.

There are lots of herbs that will help with drying up your milk supply. I've heard that sage (culinary variety)made into a tea is pretty fast and effective, although I have no personal experience with it. best of luck!

When I stopped nursing, I replaced feedings with pumping and decreased gradually--going to 4 then 6 or 8 hours between, and eventually once a day or once every other day. I would pump whenever I got to feeling full, as I was prone to breast infections, and I hated leaking. There is also a tincure you can get from the health food store. I think sage is a main ingredient for drying up milk.

Good Luck.

It is a hard thing to stop cold turkey, but you have to consider your situation more than anything else. Breast feeding isn't working, so don't force it. You don't mention anything about your bra situation but if you get a sports bra that is about 1 to 2 sizes too small that will help in constricting your breast and to remind them that they aren't needing the milk. Also wear the bra 24/7 until production tapers off. It may be uncomfortable, but I would stop pumping at all. You are just encouraging the production that you are trying to stop. Be patient and it will happen. When others imply that you aren't doing the right thing, don't let them get you down.....you are doing what is right for you and your family and they can only see a fraction of what you already know about your situation. Breast feeding is your choice not theirs. Congrats on the new baby and good luck.
J.--SAHM of 6

I went through a similar experience. To decrease my supply, I pumped and gradually decreased the amount of time I pumped in 3 day increments. For example, if I pumped five times a day, I would start out pumping for 10 minutes every time (or 20 or whatever you need to stop being hard and hurting). Do that for three days and then decrease by 5 minutes; so for the next 3 days you will pump five times a day for 5 minutes (or 15--5 less than wherever you started). Three days later go down to 2 or 3 minutes each time (or 10--you get my point). It helps if you can pump at the same time each day. This method isn't fast, but it works and it's a no-pain way to decrease gradually. If there is a point in between your regular pumping times that you get really hard and can't stand it, pump enough to feel better, but not so that you are empty and your body thinks of should produce more milk. Even do this at night (or make one of your pumping times in the middle of the night if you need to).

I am definetely not giving you advice to keep breastfeeding but rather wanted to give you support and let you know that I also stopped breastfeeding my daughter at 2 months because of extreme problems. I just wanted to tell you not to beat yourself up or think you are "less" of a mother because you are not breastfeeding. I am sorry maybe this is not how you are feeling but it is definetely how I felt. And yes, I believe it was the right decision for our family too. It was emotionally and physically exhausting to breastfeed-I think you will be happier now. I just wanted to tell you that sometimes breastfeeding does NOT work even if the lactation consultants will tell you that you must be doing something wrong! I am sorry if this is too forward but I just know how others made me feel when I stopped breastfeeding (often unintentional) but just wanted to encourage you to keep your head up becasue you are a wonderful mother! There is much more to mothering than breastfeeding. My daughter is 16 months old now and breastfeeding woes are ancient history. You can bond with your baby by holding them with a bottle and loving them.
Anyway, on to answer your question about getting your milk to dry up. I pumped for a while after I stopped breastfeeding though I only did twice a day so combined breastmilk and formula. I was pumping five times a day around the time my daughter was 2 months and then I just took out one pumping a day until I got down to two pumpings and then I just took those out when my daughter was about 5.5 months old. I would suggest doing something like that. My milk dried up pretty quick and I had a lot of milk as well. Also they say that warm washcloths and cabbage leaves( I know it sounds weird-I didn't do that) can help with the pain. Good luck! I know this may seem like a really difficult time right now (at least it did for me) but it'll get better!!

K.,
I can't tell you how to "dry up" I can just tell you congrats on making a tough decision. Nursing was not for me when I had my daughter. After 3 weeks, I quit. It was a hard choice, I was afraid of being judged a bad mom, the cost of formula and all kinds of things. She was colicky and my postpartum was pretty bad. Finally I decided it would be best for all concerned to quit. I quit and life was great. She was still colicky and I can't imagine trying to nurse on top of my hormones and her crying. It was so nice to be able to have my hubby help.
Some say that breastfed babies are healthier, my daughter is now 4 and I can count on one hand the times she has been sick. She is very healthy and happy.
Don't question your decision, just love your baby and be glad when you can share the feeding duties and get a break.
Good luck
M.

it's best to consider weaning one feeding at a time, and supplementing a bottle during that feeding (for about a week) so yes, it can take a while. going cold turkey will cause the symptoms you are describing and can lead to a lot of uncomfortability and eventually mastitis. it sounds like you have a lot of milk supply, interesting that you've made the decision to give up on nursing. is it because it's taking too much time? or her suck isn't effective? have you considered attending a la leche league meeting in your area to talk with other moms about some of what you're dealing with this decision to wean? or to talk with a leader about ways to wean without causing yourself discomfort? someone could even meet with you to talk about latch, perhaps that would help with her effectiveness and time nursing. anyway, not trying to give advice on continuing to nurse, just some considerations on people who could help in your situation, especially since you said this is a difficult decision and maybe not necessarily one you HAVE to make. good luck!

Sorry that breast feeding hasn't went well. As far as drying up your milk supply, I seem to remember someone telling me that ice packs would help with the pain. I think that you are suposed to avoid heat (that seems to make the milk let down more). Also, I think that if they get too bad you can hand express (just use your hands and squeeze a little milk out) to relive some of the pressure.

Best of luck; it sounds like an overall difficult process for you:)

M.

I almost lost my mind breast feeding my twins, made it to 10 weeks and decided I really needed to stop. I went cold turkey - it hurt, but was a fairly quick process. Within a few days my milk was down, started drying up, and I was able to go on. Everyone's situation is different, so please do not let anyone judge you or your situation. Going cold turkey helped me move on with my situation as quickly as possible. Best of luck to you,

First off good for you on making that choice! It is hard and I am glad you decided to be a happy mom, than a miserable breast feeder! I loved breast feeding, but I know so many that struggled and cried through it for months all because others guilted them. So way to be strong and make a positive choice for your family.

As for drying up... I hate to say it sweetie, but it is about supply and demand and every time you pump to relieve that pressure, you are making the situation go on longer than you would like it. Drying up can be hard, but you just have to grin and bear it. It for sure is not fun. The best thing I did was bind my breast. I had an old SMALL sports bra that was a killer to wear, but was perfect to squish me in. But I have heard others using an ACE bandage wrap as well. Your husband can help you.
I hate to say it, but you just have NOT pump for a few days and let nature do what it needs to. Your breast will get huge/hard and it does suck, but after a week I noticed they began to soften up and leak less and one day they were back to normal...
Good luck and be strong! Put the pump down :)

You're making a very hard decision. I've had to make that same decision before. I hope it goes well for you. Don't let others discourage you. This is a decision only you can make for the health of your family. When my son quit cold turkey, I was miserable. I hand pumped, rather than using a pump to stimulate more milk. The biggest relief, though, was cold cabbage leaves. It was immediate relief for the pain. The colder, the better. I think it did help a bit with producing less milk, but I'm not sure. Congratulations! Enjoy that baby!

Hi

A few people on here told you to quit cold turkey. Just so you know, don't risk it! I quit cold turkey and my HORMONES WENT NUTS!!! I got post partum depression so bad, I was hating myself, my husband, my kids. I was like insanely depressed for a week. Also, I think that binding your breasts with a sports bra runs the risk of getting mastitis (plugged milk ducts) that is really painful and makes you run a high fever, so don't risk that either.

If you don't want to nurse her at all anymore, just pump, gradually less and less. You could even give her your breastmilk mixed with formula in a bottle.

Congrats on your new baby!

Marci

Cabbage leaves, warm compresses, tight sports bra, Sudafed, ice paks.

Check out this post as it was done only a few days ago and might have some great info for you. http://www.mamasource.com/request/4018866547475939329

My post copied from the link above:
Some great advise already mentioned but the cheap and painfree method I used was a gradual cut down. I skipped a feeding and pumping every day or so...You body will get the hint that production will need to slow down and then eventually quit. I was milk free in about 10 days. Please DON'T go cold-turkey all at once as you will end up in pain and possibly plugged ducts or mastitis which requires antibiotics.
Good luck.

Hang in there. It took me over 2 week from when I stopped pumping completly for my milk to dry up enough that there was no pain nay more. At first my breasts were so tender it was hard to even pick my baby up at all. I aore a tight bra, iced a lot and took lots of pain killers. It hurt but I kept thinking at least I knew it would not last forever. Good luck - it may have been a hard decision but good for you for doing what is best for you and your baby! :)

K.,

I am in the process of trying to dry my milk supply up as well. I tried to stop cold turkey about a week ago and made my breast get mastitis, so I had to get on an anitbotic. I produced a lot of milk as well. I started to eliminate a pumping and it has started to dwindle. I too would be very hard an hurt in the morning. I actually pumped all my milk, my son never breastfed. So I was pumping about 6 times a day (15 min each time). I am now down to pumping twice a day for around 5 minutes just to relieve the pressure. My supply has dwindle alot. I am also wearing a tight sports bra to help as well. Hopefully by the end of this week I can stop completely and just bind in an ace bandage. It might take you a week or so but my doctor said to elimnate feedings or pumpings and wear the sports bra 24/7. He also said warm bath to massage breast to get them to release the milk. Good luck. I learned the hard way by getting the infection in my breasts going cold turkey when producing alot of milk. So just start eliminate and only pumping for small amounts of time. Like I said it might take a week or so to dry up.

It might sound crazy but Cabbage leaves do wonders. Wear one in each cup of your bra until it gets warm and wilty, then change it out for a cool crisp one. You'll find some info on the Internet about why it works so well. I was skeptical but wow, did it give me some relief for the discomfort, as well as help to dry up the milk. Green cabbage - it's cheap and one head of it should do the trick.

I just want to write a quick note to support you in changing to formula. I had to do that when my son was losing weight after 2 weeks old, I just did not have enough production. Do not feel guilty. You are doing the best you can for your child, and that is all that matters. My son was only breast fed for about a month, and is off the charts in IQ now, at 4 years old. Formulas are very good now. I don't know how to dry up milk, but just wanted to say that you are doing the right thing for your child. Breat feeding is not right in every situation. If you can great (I breast fed my daughter and went through torcher when it did not work for my son)if not, you are doing what you and your doctor decide is best for your child.

I don't have any miracle cure, I just wanted you to know that I suppport you in your decision you know what is best for your family, don't let anyone make you feel bad.
I think you are on the right track with weening down with pumping, I think they suggest dropping a pumping session every 4-5 days. So if your pumping 5 times now, drop it to 4 5 days from now, and then to 3 five days after that etc..

I had a similar problem with my son I breastfed him unitl he was 9 1/2 months and he took over an hour each session, it was extremely isolating and difficult for me. And he never got above the 3% for weight.

K.,
I haven't tried it myself (my kids have weaned themselves), but I took a breastfeeding basics class at the hospital with my first and they suggested putting cabbage leaves on your breasts to help them dry up. As I said, I haven't tried it, so I don't know how effective it is, but I assume it works since the experts say it does. She suggested putting some in the freezer and if you start to feel engorged, the cold will help a lot too. If it works (and you don't feel like a corned beef :-)), this will speed up the drying up. From my experience, if at all possible, don't go cold turkey. If you can, cut out one feeding at a time gradually and it will be less uncomfortable for you. GL and enjoy your precious daughter! :-)