How To Dry Up Breast Milk

Breast milk is the best possible nutrition that a newborn baby can get. However, just as we all know that all good things come to an end, breastfeeding is no different. Usually, the lactation period lasts for about a year, after which a baby resorts to bottle feeding or any other method of milk supply. Weaning a child from breast milk can be a hard task for both the mother and the child. Remember, the process of weaning would not be easy as well. It might take some weeks and sometimes even months to stop the milk supply completely. The process of discontinuing milk production would also be a painful and uncomfortable one, for the mothers. Nevertheless, there are certain tips that would help you stop the breast milk, causing little or no pain. In the following lines, we have provided tips on how to dry up breast milk supply.

Tips For Drying Up Your Breast Milk Supply

One of the important ways to stop breast milk would be to wean your child gradually. This way, your body would get an indication for the same, thereby lowering milk production. You can substitute breastfeeding with an alternative method as well, such as bottle feeding.
In case you have stopped feeding your child, it is advisable not to pump or express breast milk on a daily basis, unless you desperately require the relief. The more you pump, the more your body would think that your baby requires milk.
Applying cold cabbage compresses over your breasts would be helpful in discontinuing milk production. For this, place a cabbage leaf inside each cup of your bra and wait for about two or until the time the leaf wilts away. Then, re-apply fresh cabbage leaves, until your milk supply slows.
In times when you feel soreness or pain, the best bet would be to take some prescribed, over-the-counter medicines. However, do not make it a habit to consume the medicines, as they might be reactive.
It is believed that consuming sage tea every day speeds up the process of drying breast milk. The best bet would be to indulge in 2 to 3 cups of sage tea everyday.
Drinking water is found beneficial in stopping the production of breast milk. Drink as much water as you can, as it would help dry up the breast milk supply pretty fast.
Since you are looking forward to terminating the breast-feeding process, do not feed your child much during the weaning process. When milk is already there in the breast, its production would automatically get lower.
Avert any kind of nipple stimulation, because it can resume the milk production. For instance, it is best advised not to let shower water hit them, as it would stimulate milk production.

Tips

While traditionally, it was believed that binding the breast would terminate milk supply, it accentuates the pain instead, providing no real benefit. Wearing a sports bra would be fine.
Do not stop breastfeeding abruptly, unless it is extremely necessary. This would cause unnecessary frustration for both you and your child.
There may be times when you would feel like relieving the pressure. However, do not allow your child to feed. Remember, the more the demand, the greater the supply. You body would get alerts that it needs to produce more breast milk, putting you back to square one.
It is advisable not to use heat, in the form of heating pad, hot water bottle or even running hot shower water, on swollen/engorged breasts. It would aggravate the pain all the more.
Contact your doctor or lactation consultant. It is important to check your breasts frequently for blocked ducts and potential mastitis or breast abscess.

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