People who do not breastfeed and those who breastfeed less may want to dry up their breast milk. Show
Lactation in a person who does not breastfeed or pump can cause pain, engorgement, leaking breasts, and sometimes an infection called mastitis. Some people may only want to decrease the supply because of engorgement, whereas others may hope to eliminate their supply as quickly as possible. This article will look at some home remedies and medications that may help reduce breast milk, as well as some safety considerations and risks. Breast milk will eventually dry up on its own if the person stops nursing. However, the length of time this takes can vary from person to person, and people may experience painful engorgement in the meantime. The following techniques are popular for drying up breast milk, though research into their benefits has yielded mixed results. Avoid nursing or pumpingOne of the main things a person can do to dry up breast milk is avoid nursing or pumping. The supply of breast milk increases with demand. Avoiding nursing or pumping, even if a person feels uncomfortable, tells the body to produce less milk. People who feel that they must express milk should express a small amount and avoid doing anything that stimulates the nipples or breasts. Try cabbage leavesSeveral studies have investigated cabbage leaves as a remedy for engorgement. Although some guides recommend using the leaves to reduce supply, one 2012 study found that the leaves increased breastfeeding duration. This was not because cabbage increased supply, but because it reduced the pain of nursing. So although cabbage may help with engorgement pain, it may not dry up breast milk supply. Consume herbs and teasSome herbal teas have the potential to dry up breast milk. However, the extent to which they work depends on whether or not they contain the right herbs to dry up breast milk. A person can try specific herbs in teas, incorporate herbal supplements into their diet, or eat edible herbs. Some herbs that may help include:
Try breast bindingThough people have practiced breast binding to reduce milk supply for centuries, there is little evidence to suggest that it works. In fact, one 2012 analysis of existing research found that this method increased pain rather than reducing weaning-related discomfort. Try massageGently massaging the breasts (not the nipples) may help ease the pain of engorgement. However, too much breast stimulation can increase milk supply. Therefore, massage only as much as is necessary to ease the pain. Some medications can also dry up breast milk, but a person should talk to a doctor before using them. The sections below list some potential options. Anti-prolactin drugsDrugs such as cabergoline and bromocriptine reduce prolactin levels, helping dry up breast milk supply. These drugs work well at lowering milk supply shortly after delivery, but research has not yet assessed how well these drugs work later in lactation, such as when weaning a toddler. Only a doctor can prescribe these medications. Estrogen and birth control pillsEstrogen can help reduce breast milk supply. If someone is not trying to get pregnant, they can take estrogen in a combined hormonal birth control pill. A 2014 paper emphasizes that milk supply should dry up within 5–7 days, making birth control a viable short-term strategy even for those who hope to get pregnant soon. DecongestantsDecongestants such as pseudoephedrine may eliminate breast milk supply. One 2003 analysis found that the effect was most pronounced in people in the late stages of breastfeeding, around 60–80 weeks after delivery. Decongestants do get into breast milk, so people trying this option should stop nursing and not use this method to merely reduce supply. The time it takes to dry up milk supply varies from person to person. For example, someone with an established milk supply may need more time, while people lactating only a few drops may require only a few days. Nursing or pumping will cause the body to produce more milk. Therefore, a person who nurses, even sporadically, may need to allow more time for the milk to dry up. The main risk of drying up breast milk is engorgement. Engorgement is very painful and may cause a type of breast inflammation called mastitis. Although mastitis can sometimes clear up on its own, it can also cause a serious infection. All medications, even over-the-counter supplements, present some risks. A person who is still nursing, even just occasionally, should talk to a doctor or lactation counselor about the risks associated with using various remedies to reduce or eliminate supply. It is also important for people to discuss their medical history with a doctor. Certain drugs may interact with medications to reduce breast milk supply. Some medical conditions may increase the risk associated with various remedies. A person should call a doctor if:
Drying up breast milk takes time. The home remedies that work for one person might not work for another. A doctor or lactation counselor can also make evidence-based recommendations for reducing pain and eliminating milk supply. Why would one breast stop producing milk?In most women, however, the body makes more or less milk based on demand. In the early phases of breastfeeding, some babies prefer one breast over the other and, based on that, some mothers feed more on one side. Therefore, the breast that is not "used" as much does not produce as much milk.
Can you dry up just one breast?If one breast is allowed to 'dry up', it will be smaller than the breast that continues to make milk. This will cause uneven breasts; once weaning occurs, though, most women's breasts will even up again.
How can I get milk supply back in one breast?Nurse on the smaller side twice as often. For instance if you nurse on one side per feeding, you might nurse on the small side for two feedings, the larger side for one, then back to the smaller side for the next two feedings, etc. Pump the smaller side for 5-10 minutes after some feedings.
Why is one breast drying up pumping?When one of your breasts has began to fall short in milk production, this is usually due to the supply and demand trigger not being stimulated enough. For instance, if you are nursing and your baby tends to favor one breast over the other – the breast getting the most action will undoubtedly produce more milk.
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