Dry up breast milk! Yes, if you’re not breastfeeding or you stop breastfeeding, your breast milk will gradually decrease and then dry up on its own.
Your body starts the process of making breast milk during pregnancy. Your breasts may begin to release colostrum (early breast milk) weeks before your baby’s due date, because levels of the hormone prolactin, which stimulates milk production, start to rise toward the end of your pregnancy. Whether or not you plan to breastfeed, your body will still produce breast milk.
Your milk starts to “come in” a few days after your baby is born, when your progesterone and estrogen levels drop and prolactin levels rise higher. (It’s this surge in prolactin that sends your body the message to start producing lots of milk.) You’ll notice that your breasts become fuller and heavier once your baby is born and your milk production ramps up.
If you decide to formula feed, or if you stop breastfeeding or pumping down the road, your prolactin levels will drop and milk production will gradually shut down.
How long does it take for milk to dry up?
If you’re not breastfeeding or pumping at all, it typically takes seven to ten days after delivery to return to a non-pregnant and non-lactating hormonal level. During that time, you might feel some discomfort if your breasts become engorged with milk.
It takes some time for your body to get the message that you’re not breastfeeding – or that you’ve stopped breastfeeding after any duration. Some women’s breast milk supply dries up in a few days. Others will still express a few drops of milk months later. Most women who have breastfed or pumped and begin to wean will see their milk supply drop in two to three weeks, though this can vary depending on your baby’s age and the amount of milk you were making.
If you’re wondering how to tell if your milk supply is drying up, one common sign is that your breasts will start to feel softer.
How to dry up breast milk
Your breast milk will dry up on its own, and it will take some time, but the best way to aid in that process of suppressing breast milk is to limit how much milk you express. That’s because every time you release or express any milk, it sends a signal to your body that you’re still nursing.
If you’re uncomfortable because your breasts are engorged, try to release only just enough milk to ease the discomfort. It’s also best to try to avoid standing directly under a hot shower for too long. While the warmth might help your breasts feel less full, it also stimulates milk production.
The following tips may not necessarily speed up the process or slow down your milk production, but they can help make you feel more comfortable as your breast milk dries up:
- Wear a supportive bra. It can keep you more comfortable while your milk production slows. That said, avoid binding your breasts. Binding can lead to problems like mastitis and clogged milk ducts, and add to your discomfort.
- Apply a cold pack. Hold a cold compress against your breasts (a bag of frozen vegetables works well, too) or put a cold pack in your bra.
- Use cabbage leaves. This cruciferous veggie might sound like an odd remedy, but in some studies, women reported that chilled cabbage leaves relieved the pain and hardness of engorged breasts. Though it might not work for everyone, it’s safe to try.
- Take pain-relieving medication. If you’re hurting, ask your healthcare provider whether you can safely take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen.
- Try Gua-Sha therapy. This ancient Chinese practice uses a massage tool to scrape your skin and stimulate circulation. There hasn’t been much research on this practice as it relates to milk production, but one study did find that it might help with breast engorgement, though it can sometimes cause bruising. Ask your provider before trying it, and be sure to work with a licensed acupuncturist or Chinese medicine practitioner.
There are a few medications and herbs that have been linked to decreasing or stopping milk production, including estrogen, bromocriptine (Parlodel), sage, and peppermint oil, but they’re generally not recommended because of their potential side effects. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking any medicines or herbs to help dry up breast milk. The safest way to stop milk production is to stop expressing milk.
A lactation consultant can be a great resource for advice on how to dry up breast milk or relieve painful symptoms. Your OB, midwife, or pediatrician can refer you to one of these breastfeeding experts, or you can find one through an organization like the International Lactation Consultant Association.
When to call your healthcare provider about drying up breast milk
Most new moms waiting for their milk to dry up are able to manage mild discomfort on their own, but there are a few symptoms to watch out for that can indicate a potential issue. If your breasts get very engorged, for example, a clogged milk duct could lead to an infection called mastitis.
Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms:
- Your breast is swollen, red, or feels warm to the touch
- You feel a lump in your breast
- You have pain or burning while you breastfeed
- You’re running a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
- You feel sick, like you have the flu
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