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Trying to dry up milk supply

amrokeamroke member
in May 2014 Moms
We have transitioned our daughter to formula (the reasons are not important, no lectures on breast is best please) and I've been pumping for less time and with more time in between pumping in an effort to dry up my milk supply. I'm down to pumping every 6-8 hours for about 7 or 8 minutes. I get maybe a half ounce or less from each breast. However, my boobs still start to hurt between feedings like they are filling up. I don't want to just stop pumping because I'm worried about clogged ducts and mastitis. Just wondering if, since I'm producing so little now, I can just stop pumping soon? What happens to any "leftover" milk that's in my breasts? Am I going to cause issues for myself with plugged ducts?

I did the same exact thing with my son, but I recall it being much easier... Like one day I was just all dried up with no discomfort.

I ordered that No More Milk tea, hoping that helps. I also take an antihistamine for allergies which helps. I just really want to be done with this. And info on the web is so hard to find because it's all so pro-breastfeeding (I didn't really see anything on Fearless Formula Feeders).
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Re: Trying to dry up milk supply

  • kalettekalette member
    When I did it with DD I just kept spacing out my pumps. I was 16m pp and only pumping 2x a day anyway for around 25 oz, but dropping to once a day finally did it, and I started getting less and less. Eventually I just stopped ans in a day or two I could feel the milk had gone.

    Sudafed is supposed to be more effective than benadryl
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  • ksyknelvr73ksyknelvr73 member
    I stopped cold turkey and drank the no more milk tea and did not get mastitis, I also used frozen cold packs. Dried up totally in about 4 days.
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  • cnbeancnbean member
    With DS I just stopped cold turkey and had no problems. I drank the No More Milk tea and was dry in about 3 days. With DS2 I was actaully battling mastitis when I made the switch and so I pumped a couple times a day to help clear out the clogged ducts. It took a little longer this time to dry up, probably a couple weeks. I took Sudafed and drank the tea again. If you are pumping so little I would think you should be fine to just stop at this point. 
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  • usernewnameusernewname member
    Peppermint oil helps too. No experience but I see it recommended a lot.
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  • lovey1lovey1 member
    Are you taking BCP? My OB said that regular BCP would dry up my milk supply.
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  • MrsT2008MrsT2008 member
    Decongestants can help dry you up. Tight sports bra, don't let warm water hit them when they're full, I want to say cabbage leaves in your bra is supposed to help too.
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  • CamrynnsMommyCamrynnsMommy member
    https://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/articles/lactation-suppression

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  • mrsbtobe20122mrsbtobe20122 member
    Sage, cabbage in your bra, and birth control pills.


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  • cbrustcbrust member
    I BF'd for 4 days, pumped for 3 more and then quit cold turkey. It was hell for 4 full days. The cabbage trick didn't work for me but I know others have success with it. I also took 600mg iboprofen every 6hrs to stay on top of the pain. 
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  • vincoandvincoand member
    Cabbage worked for me last time. Make sure you squeeze it to break it up a bit first.
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  • amrokeamroke member
    I have an allergy to sulfa so unfortunately I think cabbage leaves are out.
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  • amrokeamroke member
    Just as an update, I started taking sudafed yesterday and I feel a lot more comfortable so far. Still pumping every 8-12 hours for a couple of minutes and taking ibuprofen, but I feel like I'm making some progress.
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