If you're a breastfeeding mom who has decided to stop nursing or is experiencing some unwanted lactation, help is here. There are plenty of tips and tricks that can effectively dry up your milk supply without making things feel catastrophic...well, mostly! With just a few adjustments in your daily routine, you can put an end to the non-stop flow of breastmilk once and for all.
First Things First - Know What You're Dealing With!
Before we dive into the best ways to dry up milk supply quickly, let's define precisely what it means. Breast milk production depends on how often a mother nurses her baby. Each feeding sends signals via nerves in the nipple through hormones such as prolactin & oxytocin; this triggers cells responsible for milk production (alveolar cells) within each breast lobe. As more stimulation increases more frequent feedings with longer latching times will stimulate these cells to increase milk volume over time.
To dry up your breastmilk after one year of Nursing would make much sense because by then babies/ infants have already been introduced food other than breast milk but if somehow they still consume only BM refer medical experts before discontinuing BFing abruptly.
Now that we’ve got that covered let’s get right into it shall we?
Wear Loose Clothes
The first significant step towards drying up your breasts' supply completely is wearing comfortable outfits which will provide enough breathing space.' Wearing loose clothes makes little no compression on the breasts area promptly reducing mild symptoms like soreness & tenderness.’ It also lessens pain resulting from engorged breasts or where mastitis exists. Opt for soft fabrics like cotton and avoid tight-fitting materials that offer no chance of breathability primarily when dealing with summer temps.
Use Cabbage Leaves (Yes — You Read That Correctly)
Cabbage leaves are a go-to for many women looking to dry-up their milk supply naturally. Simply clean and remove the vein from cabbage leaves, then place them over your breasts under a bralette or tight-fitted shirt like an old sports-bra so they can begin soaking up milk little by little reducing the engorgement of breastmilk.
Expect some Discomfort
Let's be honest; drying up your breastmilk is not going to be easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy, but more like hard-work-persistent-slouching type ordeal in about a week or two, expect discomfort as part of this process. While doing this means no harsh workouts and leaving parts of the housework undone will make you feel uneasy first, it’s best you focus on resting & massaging your highest-engorged area continuously with hot water bottles soaked in chamomile/rosemary oil blend until milk production recedes gradually.
Drop Each Breastfeed One at A Time
You may have read stories advising people against abruptly stopping breastfeeding altogether. The key here is little-by-little because suddenness would mean that increased prolactin levels with nurse signals stop immediately resultant blocked ducts could lead to mastitis (an infectious inflammation involving deep mammary tissue)-careful preventing swelling while slowly taper off breastfeeding one feed every few days to avoid complications effectively wrapping things without entailing much pain
When removing single feeds:
- Decide which feeding latches baby appropriately enough not to cause fussiness otherwise weaning procedure becomes even harder.
- Introduce formula or pumped expressly when baby gets hungry/crying while delaying decreases incrementally during odd hours progressing to nighttime routine lastly ensuring other food/drinks replacements are established sustainably.
Depending on how sensitive your body responds/maintains its equilibrium; this gradual cessation method might take between 7days -14 days sometimes longer than anticipated.
## Wear Tight Bras Less Often Remove any bra that supports like deflating the milk production. Reducing pressure on breasts by loosening up comfortably also wears breathable clothing too will undoubtedly reduce stimulus for more milk since there's very little confinement thereof added circulation enabling a decrease in breastmilk flow. Choose non-padded bras without underwires and avoid long hours with fitted sports bras; go braless if possible.
Keep Hydrated And Fed
Maintaining hydration is essential when it comes to decreasing your lactation finally meaning supplementing with water, juice, or nutritious food continually day in-day-out consistent before meals is important as much as resting when tired helping raise energy levels naturally leading to an overall well-being experience during this period of time
The Benevolence Of Cold Compresses
As previously detailed, engorged breasts are not the most comfortable feeling you’d imagine having what else could be done while drying up your breastmilk supply? A cold compress would sound excellent at such a moment applying cabbage leaves works better for some women than others ice packs wrapped with tea towels can help take off heat from inflamed areas eventually leading to less imbued duct preventing pain and discomfort.
Using cold treatments recipes:
- Fill-up freezer-friendly Ziploc bags w/snap-seal-tops halfway.
- Add distilled water into plastic bags along with optional goodies such as chamomile lavender blend &/or eucalyptus oil (also reducing inflammation)
- Seal completely ensuring no spillage takes place inside refrigerating-between applications every few hrs/everyday doing so until milk production ceases entirely.
Alternatively investing reusable gel-based inserts maybe kinder environmental-wise putting them between two cloth layers throughout the day gently helps soothe stiff/tender nipples caused by leaky discharge
Sudafed Medication
While relatively uncommon due to availability of alternatives out-there(especially natural ones), however Sudafed has been found subjectively effective for decreasing breast milk production. Sudafed is a common OTC drug used to alleviate symptoms of the common cold, sinusitis or allergies. However, it contains pseudoephedrine which acts as a decongestant that can restrict glandular tissue circulation essential for lactation reducing blood supply leading to decreased hormone levels making it another viable method in drying up our breastmilk
To replace nursing apply:
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- Express tiny milk amounts via hand massage or pump technique ensuring chest hollows are given time to adjust instead resulting blocked ducts from doing so excessively
- Consuming approximately (30 mg) every 6 hours keeping keen attention towards gut side effects like heartburn & constipation since increased dosage could lead to anxiety/insomnia.
Avoid Hot Showers/Baths
Back in the day quite abundant parents would; automatically suggest mothers take warm/hot baths while exposing their breasts inside heating water intending to dry up their breastmilk quickly and harmlessly AS IHGNORANT AS IT SOUNDS wailspeedily avoid this one! Since Warmth activates your glandular tissues likely affecting your prolactin/oxytocin which controls a woman's let-down ref reaction leading inevitably younger babies breastfeeding still involuntarily.
Conclusion:
Drying-up your breastmilk may sound challenging but distance yourself-do not feel pushed down such intimating lanes because most moms pass through such phases once again always seek medical intervention whenever needed. This article accentuated several methods well suited utilized crafty timing monitoring giving you as much control consistency& comfortability during the weaning process simultaneously.-Good luck new momma!