what is the best way to dry your milk up when you decide not to breastfeed anymore?

Avery - posted on 12/05/2009

I never breastfed. But to dry up my milk I googled a answer & it said to boil sage in water to make a tea, So I figured I had Sage in my kitchen so I had nothing to lose...I boiled 2 cups water 2 table spoons sage every 4 hours for 3 days and my milk was GONE! I was so excited and my mom said when she had kids they gave her pills but they dicontinued them because of side effects. I GAURANTEE 100% that Sage Tea works. Hope it helps ;)

Samantha - posted on 12/04/2009

I simply stopped. No lie, your breasts will hurt, and you may have to slightly release a little at times when they get engorged, but eventually your body will realize that your baby isn't sucking anymore and will gradually reduce the amount of milk it makes until it's down to nothing. You don't have to do much else really.

Jennifer - posted on 12/04/2009

Wrap them tightly or wear a sports bra...it will be more comfortable. This is really all I did and they dried up in no time! You may have to "let" your milk, which can be painful. I recommend a warm shower - let the water run on your breasts and express milk out so they won't be as heavy or sore. The warm water feels great!

Iysha - posted on 12/04/2009

I didn't really produce a whole lot...like an ounce to an ounce and a half after not pumping for like 5 hours. I just didn't pump at all until I was hurting. When I did pump, I would just pump a little less than an ounce..just enough to get myself feeling comfortable. If you are producing a lot of milk, you can ask your obgyn for some pills to help you out.

Jennifer - posted on 12/04/2009

Green cabbage leaves in your bra. You smell like a salad and you have to change them a few times a day, but IT IS WORTH IT. Best thing I've ever found!

Kasey - posted on 12/04/2009

It sounds crazy but empty them and wrap them with an ace bandage and only take it off to shower it will restrict the milk ducts from producing. i made this mistake when i thought i had to stop bfing and now i regret stopping. he was only 2 months and i had ppd so i had to get on meds but the meds didnt work so i dried them up for nothing! UGH i hate depression! good luck mum!

Julie - posted on 12/04/2009

I did the same thing that Kendra did, just let them dry out on their own, it didn't take long

Stacie - posted on 12/04/2009

Put cabbage leaves in your bra...you may smell like cabbage but it works. I didn't breastfeed when either of my kids were born and it worked like a charm for me. I don't know how it works but it does. With my first kid it took about a week, but for my second kid it took a couple of days.

Karlee - posted on 12/03/2009

It depends how much you breast feed now, the best and most painless way to do it is to miss a breast feed everyday for 3 days and replace with a bottle, then miss another and another etc...do it over a course of a few weeks....the less you use your breasts the less milk you produce. You could go cold turkey and just stop, but really depends how much milk you have and if you have been using them exclusively. It may be painful.

Tanya - posted on 12/03/2009

Quoting Candi:

The best solution I found each time after I stopped breast feeding is using cold cabbage leaves. I know it sounds strange but it worked! It took a couple days, but it relieved the swelling and soreness and also helped dry up my milk

i agree! cabbage works well for the pain

Hanna - posted on 12/03/2009

i don't produce that much anymore and i only pump twice a day (get about 4 oz out, sometimes a bit more), i didn't leak since my son was 3 months old (and back then i was producing 35-40 oz a day) & my boobs don't get sore. so i imagine i can just stop doing it and it'll dry up on its own, at least that's what the doctor said. but i'm going to try to breastfeed for another 3 months until my son turns 1.

Amy - posted on 12/03/2009

Tight tops and cool showers helped my milk dry up. Also some panadol for the pain. It does hurt!

Autumn - posted on 12/03/2009

I weened myself so I didn'tt experience the discomfort. Express just enough to relieve the tenderness. The less you use the less your body will make. Good luck!

Candi - posted on 12/03/2009

The best solution I found each time after I stopped breast feeding is using cold cabbage leaves. I know it sounds strange but it worked! It took a couple days, but it relieved the swelling and soreness and also helped dry up my milk

Carmen - posted on 12/03/2009

Really? pills? my doctor just told me they had to dry up on their own. Use tight snug bra and try not to have them stimulated or massage at all because they will continue to produce milk.

Kendra - posted on 12/03/2009

i breast feed my son for a while before i had to stop. when i stopped i let my milk dry out on their own which took about 4 days till i stopped leaking but you can go to the doctors and get tablets to help the milk dry up