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March 2012 Moms
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Drying up

Baby LynnBaby Lynn member
in March 2012 Moms
How did you get your milk supply to dry up? I lost supply and then wasn't getting enough at all to feed him so I started to give him formula. I haven't pumped in a week and they rarely leak but over night. I just want them to stop if I'm not feeding anymore. I was EPing but stopped because I was getting an once after 10-15mins on each side so I didn't see the point. So now it's just time for them to stop leaking. Any ideas on how to stop my supply?
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Re: Drying up

  • m&m2006m&m2006 member

    tight sport bra.  that's what i did with DD1.  oh, and lots of advil.

    i've heard that sudafed will dry you right up also.

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  • xoladiebugxoladiebug member
    I was EPing and just started to decrease my supply this week (was averaging 22 oz a day).  I am on day 2 of Sudafed, taking 800 mg of Advil and some Tylenol for inflammation.  I've also started drinking a lot of caffeine (which is supposed to dehydrate you).  I haven't tried Cabbage leaves, but my OB recommended them yesterday.  I heard if you wrap your entire breast (except the nipple), for about 30 minutes at a time that will help.
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  • kmhunt11kmhunt11 member
    Some women leak for months. I had pockets of milk 8 months after I weaned DD1. 
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  • eyenigheyenigh member
    Don't do anything to stimulate your nipples, either. Even letting hot water run on your breasts in the shower or a loose bra that rubs will keep the milk coming. It took me about a month for everything to dry up. 
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  • jenskurnjenskurn member
    PP says not to stimulate your nipples, which I have heard also, but that isn't how I did it.  I was ep'ing and pumping about 24oz per day.  I was pumping every 3 hrs.  Every 2 or 3 days I would drop one of those pumping sessions.  Within 2 wks I was dried up.  GL!

     

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  • lorinalorina
    In a related question, I have also noticed a huge drop off over the last two weeks or so.  I have been trying to hold on since I figured the immune system benefit for LO was worth still pumping.  How did you decide that it was time to stop doing the breast milk?  I am having some guilt issues about stopping before 6 months since I know that LO can't get Momma-factors from formula but it is kind of a hassle.  How did everyone decide when it was time to give up (or stop), breastfeeding/pumping?
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  • Baby LynnBaby Lynn member

    imagelorina:
    In a related question, I have also noticed a huge drop off over the last two weeks or so.  I have been trying to hold on since I figured the immune system benefit for LO was worth still pumping.  How did you decide that it was time to stop doing the breast milk?  I am having some guilt issues about stopping before 6 months since I know that LO can't get Momma-factors from formula but it is kind of a hassle.  How did everyone decide when it was time to give up (or stop), breastfeeding/pumping?

     

    I decided to stop when I couldn't make enough for him to eat. I switched to EP but I couldn't make enough then either. Like I said in OP I was only getting about 1oz from 10-15 mins on BOTH boobs. So I decided to just stop. I cried when I couldn't feed him anymore because it is such a good thing and the bonding time was awesome. I felt like a horrible mom because I couldn't supply it for him anymore. But I know that I am not a horrible mom for it. I tried to get my supply back up and couldn't and I did it until I really had not much to give him at all. I won't lie, I like the convenience with FF. Going out is much easier not having to worry about if I pumped enough for him or when I was EBF worrying about going out after he just ate and making sure I'd have somewhere private to feed. (I never got good at public nursing) It wasn't easy for me to stop It took me 2 weeks to finally decide for sure. Until then I gave him some bottles and still put him to the breast so I felt better. It's all about when you feel comfortable. I loved breast feeding and wish I could have gone longer. If you want to but are feeling guilty then try and ween LO off. It worked for me than stopping cold turkey. I gave him a few bottles a day and still put him to the breast (mainly for night feedings) when I had milk for him. If LO does that then you can slowing ween him off more and more. GL! It's not easy and it doesn't make you a bad mom for stopping. So try not to have those guilty feelings!

     

    And thank you ladies for the advice! I will have to try these out!

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  • beth2882beth2882 member
    I have also heard to use an ace bandage.  I did the sports bra and was careful not to let the warm water hit them during my shower.   The engorgement went away in a couple of days and it took about 1-2 weeks for the leaking to completely stop. But, LO was only 2 weeks old.
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  • xoladiebugxoladiebug member

    imagelorina:
    In a related question, I have also noticed a huge drop off over the last two weeks or so.  I have been trying to hold on since I figured the immune system benefit for LO was worth still pumping.  How did you decide that it was time to stop doing the breast milk?  I am having some guilt issues about stopping before 6 months since I know that LO can't get Momma-factors from formula but it is kind of a hassle.  How did everyone decide when it was time to give up (or stop), breastfeeding/pumping?

    I EP'ed and for me it was like double duty.  I'd have to spend 20 minutes pumping and then another 30 to 45 minutes feeding.  I'm alone with DD for 12 hours a day, 4 days a week.  When she's fussy and has colic in the evenings it was nearly impossible to pump.  Also, there have been numerous times I've called into question whether or not something I was consuming was causing her gas and terrible stomach pains.  I've simply tired of trying to figure it out.  I struggled with the decision and still deeply want to keep pumping.  I just can't because I don't have enough help.  So I've decided for my well-being and mental health, I needed to switch to formula.

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  • starswingerstarswinger

    I heard the ace bandage thing is not good for the boobs, but do not remember why.

    I wore a tight bra and a sports bra on top of that for a week. Also, do not let warm water from the shower hit them. I also bought those first aid ice packs where you break to get them cold in my bra over each nipple as I heard the cold is suppose to suppress them. Also, do NOT stimulate them at all. It took me 5 weeks to finally stop leaking. 

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  • mcleremclere member
    I only breastfed for the first week. I had SO many issues and switched to formula. Wednesday will be 9 weeks since I stopped and I AM STILL LEAKING! UGH!! I wrapped them with ace bandages in the beginning (first week) wore TIGHT sports bras for weeks 24/7 and it still would happen so I said screw it I am not wearing a sports bra 24hrs a day. I was started to breakout on my back from them. I don't know what else to do. I've heard birth control will dry them up. I realy do not want to get on birth control then right back off after it stops. I'm afraid that will screw me all up. I am allergic to sulfa and somehow that is tied to cabbage leaves so I not doing that. What else can I do??
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