How do you stop milk production if you aren't BFing?

WordSmith85 · May 2012

Due to some long term medical conditions I have, it's not going to be practical for me to BF. However, my OBGYN will hear nothing of this and tells me that I have to figure out someway to BF for the first month (because it's better for the baby, no other reasons). She won't even discuss other options and my general doctor just refers me back to her.

Deciding not to BF was a very personal decision and I put a lot of thought into it. I don't really appreciate being told that I no longer have a say in the matter.

Given that I don't have an actual doctor I can get advice from now, does anyone here know how to stop milk production immediately after delivery? Everything I've found is about slowly ramping down from BF.

geauxfrogs · May 2012

There is something with cabbage leaves. I don't know the details, but google breast feeding and cabbage leaves. I don't know if it is immediate, but it is supposed to dry you out.

slowden86 · May 2012

Just don't do it. Your body will still produce it for a little while but will stop once its not being used. It will be painful though.

HollyBabyNumber2 · May 2012

Wow that's ridiculous that your OBGYN is being like that. It's not up to her and she shouldn't be trying to make you feel bad about your decision. There's some info about this on the web if you just google it.. I found something that talks about Sage so you can check that out here. https://www.lactationconsultant.info/dryup.html

PregNerd · May 2012

I'm sorry that the people that are supposed to help you aren't respecting your decision or your intellect. I know that this is not a decision made lightly and the last thing you need is people - especially medical professionals - giving you a hard time with it.

Have you checked out lactation consultants? They are the experts in BFing and will likely be a good resource to help reduce engorgement/pain or any of the uncomfortableness you might experience. I hope they are more understanding than your doctors.

Not that it's worth much, but I've also heard something about cabbage leaves.

Good Luck!

EMOmamma · May 2012

Your OB is an ass. BFing is a choice. If you can I would seriously consider dropping them.

Things like decongestants can help dry you out but I'm sure there is a prescription that is prob better.

lpope9608 · May 2012

My SIL did not breast feed her 2nd baby and I know they gave her something while she was in the hospital to dry it up. Sorry, that doesn't help you much since it doesn't look like your doctor would prescribe it for you. Maybe if a different doctor is on call when you are in the hospital, you could ask them?

krb03 · May 2012

I am unable to breastfeed this time around for medical reasons as well. I am sorry to hear your OB is being like that. I don't understand why people do that. If there are medical reasons or not, breastfeeding is your decision. My DD is one week old today, so I am currently going through trying to dry up my milk. I was told to wear a supportive bra at all times, take a pain reliever to help, use ice packs if needed, and to not stimulate my breasts/nipples (for example, don't have your nipples facing the water in the shower).

I also heard about the cabbage leaves, so today is my first day trying that. Your milk will come in and that comes with engorgement, some pain, and leaking. Don't forget to get breast pads to put in your bras.

amberleeb · May 2012

Tight bra, cold cabbage leaves changing every hour or so and sudafed.

MrsL1022 · May 2012

I was under the impression that there is a medication they can give as an injection to stop milk production. I know they do this for mothers who lose their babies and mothers who give babies up for adoption. I don't know what it's called but I would call labor and delivery and ask to speak to a pp nurse and tell them your dr is not being supportive of your choice and if they can help you. You may need a dr to order the drug though. It's possible a resident OBGYN with the hospital can order it for you. GL I hope someone will respect your wishes.

JuneBugBaby2012 · May 2012

For the cabbage leaves, make sure you crunch them up first. There is something that they release after being crunched. Also below is the info I saved on sage. It tasted terrible but it worked after a week or so.

This is when sage can help; two cups of warm sage tea a day for up to 7 days is quite capable of drying up the milk supply quite nicely. Bring 1 qt. of water to a boil and steep 8 tsp. dried or fresh sage leaves in it for 45 minutes, covered. Then strain, add honey and drink.

CaitlinJ22 · May 2012

Wear a tight bra and dont let water or anything hit your breasts at all for a while, as it can cause a letdown. You'll need some breast pads anyway, or wash cloths to stick in your shirt for leaking purposes. Cabbage leaves are for stuffing in your bra, but to be honest I hear its a stinky way to go about this.

Sudafed. Best choice. Dries you up fast. You will still have to stay away from hot water in the shower and keep yourself bound up for a few weeks at least, but sudafed for a few days should help a TON. You can take motrin for the pain too.

Any sort of decongestant should work, but my LLL leader friends say stay away from sudafed if you are nursing, so it would help you dry up.

WordSmith85 · May 2012

Thanks for all the tips. It sounds like it's going to be hard and painful, but then again, what where the last 8 months?

At least if I'm bound up, leaking and have ice packs stuff down my shirt, DH might be a little more proactive about not letting uninvited family members randomly showing up at our door. There's always a bright side, right?

Daisy22 · May 2012

My friends that didn't BF did the 2 tight fighting sports bras from the get go, ice for swelling and pain, sudafed for helping dry up the milk.

And yes your OB is extremely rude! It is a choice and she needs to get over it. Women are capable of making the correct choice for their family. I have several friends that went straight to formula for different reasons, some that nursed exclusively, some that nursed and pumped and some that exclusively pumped. Every family is different.

Tigerlillies · May 2012

It's so crappy that your doctor is acting this way. It's your decision.

I didn't breastfeed either. I didn't leak at all- I just wore a really tight sports bra for the few days that my breasts were heavy and painful. Then, all of a sudden, it just went away.

I think everyone is different- so I'm not sure what to do if you're really leaking, etc.

mmitche0 · May 2012

they don't give meds to stop it any more. I don't know why,but cabbage leaves worked for me

mikeandcristina · May 2012

I asked a friend that had twins and wasn't producing enough for them what she did to stop production - she stressed the importance of wearing a tight bra to prevent engorgement, and would hand pump to express a little milk to relieve painful pressure. She cautioned to not pump to much, because you don't want to signal your body to make more, you just want to get rid of enough to be a little more comfortable. She said to apply hot or cold compresses to reduce the pain, but it's not comfortable and can take a week or more to get your body to stop producing. Also, taking Tylenol regularly will help take the edge off the pain, and taking a decongestant will help dry you up quicker.