How to dry up your breast milk supply

Every mother's breastfeeding journey is unique. There may be several reasons why you decide to stop breastfeeding. Once you've decided that weaning is best for you and your baby, there are several ways you can try to deplete your breast milk supply. There is no set time frame for the lactation suppression process. Instead, how quickly your milk dries up depends on several factors, including your baby's age and average milk production. Breast milk can take days, weeks or months to dry up.

It is recommended to gradually wean the child from breastfeeding. However, many factors can make a mother want to dry her breast milk. Always check with your doctor before trying to deplete your breast milk supply.

Methods for drying breast milk

If you have too much milk or are trying to wean your baby, there are several methods you can try to suppress breast milk production, including:

Stop breastfeeding. When you stop breastfeeding, your body gradually stops producing milk. Lack of stimulation tells your body to stop lactating. To use this method:

Wear a supportive bra.
Stop breastfeeding.
Use ice packs to manage inflammation.
Express milk from time to time to reduce breast engorgement.

Use herbs. Research shows that there are several herbs that can help reduce milk production. To use herbs for lactation suppression:

Drink sage tea made with 1-3 grams of dried sage leaves.
Apply jasmine flowers to your chest.
Take chaste berry orally.
Eat parsley.
Use peppermint oil topically only if you have completely stopped breastfeeding - it can be toxic to your baby.
Always check with your doctor before using any herbs orally or topically. Keep a close eye on your child so you don't miss any changes in their behavior.

Apply cabbage. Cabbage can help soothe swollen breasts when you stop breastfeeding. To use sprouts:

Rinse the green cabbage leaves and refrigerate.
Place sheets under the bra and over each breast.
Change sheets every few hours.

Take birth control. Taking estrogen in combined birth control pills can help stop lactation. Most mothers notice a decrease in their milk supply after taking one tablet a day for a week. Contraceptives should only be taken under close medical supervision.

Take Sudafed. Pseudoephedrine, or Sudafed, is a common over-the-counter decongestant. Studies show that Sudafed causes a marked decrease in milk production. Like contraceptives, Sudafed should only be used to suppress lactation under medical supervision. You should watch for symptoms of restlessness and insomnia while taking Sudafed.

Use vitamin B. Studies show that vitamin B can limit lactation. Always check with your doctor before trying to reduce or prevent milk production.

When to ask for help

When you're trying to dry up your breast milk supply, it's okay if you feel some discomfort. However, if you're experiencing pain or other uncomfortable symptoms, it's time to call your doctor or lactation specialist. You may be at increased risk of engorgement, infection, or blocked ducts if you suddenly stop breastfeeding. To reduce unpleasant symptoms, speak sparingly with your hands.

You should contact your doctor if you experience:

A blocked duct. Duct blockage is a common problem in women who are breastfeeding or weaning. When you have a blocked duct, you may experience pain, warmth in your chest, or a slight fever. Blocked ducts can be treated with gentle massage or applying heat and cold to the affected area.

Infection of the breast. Mastitis is an infection of the breast. This is often the result of a blocked duct that has become inflamed. Symptoms include: