As a new mom, while you learn all the joys of being a parent, you also find yourself learning an entirely new set of physical and emotional states. One such state is when your body produces too much milk, leaving you feeling overwhelmed and encouraged to dry up your breast milk supply naturally.
Of course, for some mothers, this process can feel daunting, but we’re here to put your mind at ease with helpful tips on how to dry up breast milk quickly in a safe and natural manner.
How To Dry Up Breast Milk Naturally?
To dry up breast milk naturally, gradually reducing breastfeeding or pumping can help prevent engorgement and discomfort. Applying cold compresses, wearing a supportive bra, and using cabbage leaves or sage tea can also help reduce milk production. Over-the-counter medication can be used under medical supervision.
How Long Does It Take To Dry Up Breast Milk Supply?
Drying up breast milk is simple and quick if you have only given birth, but your milk hasn’t yet come in.
If you have a well-established supply and have exclusively breastfed for six months, it will take longer and need to be done with more care.
It might take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to recover fully.
How To Dry Up Breast Milk Naturally?
Cold Turkey Method
Keep the following ideas in mind when experimenting with this technique:
- A supportive bra that keeps your breasts in place is essential.
- Use ice packs and over-the-counter pain (OTC) medications to ease bodily discomfort.
- To relieve breast engorgement, use massage or hand-express milk in a light stream. Continue to apply gently so as not to stimulate further development.
Using Herbs
Whether you consume the herbs or steep them in your tea, they act as a powerful supplement. Because this tea is quite harsh, add a little honey or sugar to make it more pleasant.
Other Herbs
Jasmine inhibits the production of milk-producing hormones. This is a more suitable substitute for sage, and it may be used in combination with tea.
You may use peppermint oil on your breasts and get two benefits. One, it will ease the discomfort of engorgement. Two, it will reduce the amount of milk produced by your breasts.
Using Cabbage
Remove the leaves of the cabbage and pull them apart. After that, rinse them and place them in a container. To chill the container, put it in the refrigerator now.
Put the cooled leaves on your breasts (one leaf on one side) and wear your bra afterward.
The leaves cooling effect helps to stop milk production in some mothers. When the leaves are back to normal temperature, change them again.
If this is the case, check your intake and change them every two hours.
What Medicines Can Assist With The Drying Up Of Breast Milk?
Birth Control Pills
After taking one tablet each day for one week, the majority of moms notice a reduction in milk production.
Take Sudafed
Sudafed, or pseudoephedrine, is an over-the-counter decongestant that many people use. While taking Sudafed, you should look for signs of anxiety and sleeplessness.
Vitamin B
Vitamin B, according to studies, can hinder the production of breast milk in women who have not yet begun to lactate.
How Can I Dry Up My Milk Without Getting Mastitis?
Mastitis is an uncomfortable inflammation of a clogged milk duct that requires medical intervention. Antibiotics, as well as something like Tylenol to help with the pain and fever, will be prescribed by your doctor.
A breast that hasn’t been properly drained can develop blocked milk ducts, which can occur even when breastfeeding is going well. The sooner you begin treatment for a clogged duct, the better.
You may relieve discomfort and reduce swelling using hot compresses and light massage.
If the pain doesn’t go away and you have any of the following mastitis symptoms, see your doctor right away:
- Extreme pain.
- A blocked duct that doesn’t go away after a few days.
- Swollen and painful redbreasts.
The key to avoiding mastitis is to keep your milk as dry as possible and deal with any blocked milk ducts straight away.
What To Avoid When Trying To Stop Breast Milk Production?
You may now know how to dry up breast milk naturally, but there are a few things you should be aware of.
1. Tight Bras And Binding
When your breasts are bound, the cells that line their milk ducts become engorged, making it more difficult for them to drain away the milk. This can lead to mastitis and exacerbate existing mastitis.
2. Pumping
It’s easy to pump between nursing sessions to relieve stress, but you should try to avoid it as much as possible. Pumping, like nursing, will have the same negative effect on your body: it will send out a “demand” signal and make reducing your milk supply more difficult.
3. Massaging Your Breasts
It’s not only about the amount of milk you have. The more stimulation your breasts receive, the more milk your body believes it needs to produce. This is exactly the opposite of what you wish to accomplish. It’s critical to keep all hands off of your breasts while you attempt to reduce your supply.
4. Avoid Hot Showers
A hot shower has been reported to elicit the milk ejection reflex in some women. If you must face the showerhead, wrap a towel around your breasts instead of your body.
When Should You Visit Your Healthcare Provider If Your Breast Milk Is Drying Up?
- You notice a lump in your breast.
- You’re having trouble breastfeeding since your breasts are burning or hurting.
- You’re suffering from a temperature of 101° Fahrenheit or higher.
- You’re feeling feverish as if you have the flu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is there a specific medication to dry up breast milk?
Ans: It is preferable to let your milk dry up on its own or try natural treatments. Dostinex is a medication that helps to dry up breast milk.
Q2: Is It Possible To Dry Milk?
Ans: Yes! You either cease lactating naturally or can use certain at-home treatments to aid in the process. Adding herbs to your tea is a wonderful method to reduce milk production. If you want to naturally dry up your milk, wait at least a week or two after stopping breastfeeding.
Q3: How can I dry up my breast milk in 3 days?
Ans: Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to aid the drying up of your milk: Sage Tea, Birth Control, and Decongestants. Cabbage Leaves also promote milk loss by massaging your breasts in an upward motion every few hours or so for several days.
Q4: Can milk dry up overnight?
Ans: Some women have a fantastic start with lots of milk in the beginning, but it gradually goes away over hours or days. Don’t be concerned; this is typical and happens to many moms.
Q5: How do you know your breast milk is drying up?
Ans: Here are some signs that your breast milk is drying up:
- Your breasts feel softer and less full.
- You’re not leaking as much milk.
- It takes longer to pump or hand express milk.
- You get fewer drops of milk when you pump or hand express.
- Your baby seems fussy, or milk is coming out of its nose means he isn’t interested in nursing as often.
Q6: What happens if you don’t breastfeed for a week?
Ans: It might take anything from a few days to a few weeks to be able to generate a couple of droplets of milk. It takes the same amount of time as it did for you to return your full milk supply. If you stop breastfeeding for one week, it may take another week or more to achieve a sufficient quantity.
Q7: How long does it take cabbage to dry up breast milk?
Ans: The cabbage leaves may be worn for up to 20 minutes on your breasts or until they become warm.
Q8: What foods can help to dry up breast milk quickly?
Ans: Carbonated beverages, in particular, coffee and black tea, contain caffeine. – Supplements or drinks with excessive vitamin C or B (Vitamin Water, Powerade, oranges/orange juice, and citrus fruits/juice.)
Q9: How long does engorgement last after stopping breastfeeding?
Ans: Before quitting, go from one feeding a day to one every few days to prevent your breasts from getting too big.
Q10: Do you lose weight when you stop breastfeeding?
Ans: You will shed some stored body fat, but your body saves some fat for breastfeeding. Many moms don’t lose all of their baby weight until they cease nursing.
Conclusion
Drying up your milk is a personal decision. Some factors to consider are whether you want to breastfeed again in the future, how long you want to breastfeed, and if you’re comfortable with using medications. There are many methods to dry up your milk, but it’s important to do what’s best for you.
The above methods provide insight into how to dry up breast milk. Naturally, you may also use certain at-home treatments to aid in the process. It takes the same amount of time as it did for you to return your whole milk supply. It’s up to you to decide which approach is best for You.
