Is it possible to stop engorgement before it starts and/or to dry up your milk rightt before you deliver?

Celeste - posted on 06/05/2012

Nicole, If you don't want to nurse, there's no reason to tell us why. It's your decision and yours alone.

Milk is produced when the placenta is detached from the uterus (unless you're trying to induce lactation but that's a whole 'nother ball game). Hormones are released to start milk production. What you have before mature milk is colostrum. There isn't really anything that you can do NOW to stop mature milk producing.

From kellymom:
http://kellymom.com/pregnancy/bf-prep/mi...
"Milk production doesn’t start out as a supply and demand process. During pregnancy and the first few days postpartum, milk supply is hormonally driven – this is called the endocrine control system. Essentially, as long as the proper hormones are in place, mom will start making colostrum about halfway through pregnancy (Lactogenesis I) and her milk will increase in volume (Lactogenesis II) around 30-40 hours after birth.

During the latter part of pregnancy, the breasts are making colostrum, but high levels of progesterone inhibit milk secretion and keep the volume “turned down”. At birth, the delivery of the placenta results in a sudden drop in progesterone/estrogen/HPL levels. This abrupt withdrawal of progesterone in the presence of high prolactin levels cues Lactogenesis II (copious milk production). Other hormones (insulin, thyroxine, cortisol) are also involved, but their roles are not yet well understood. Although biochemical markers indicate that Lactogenesis II commences approximately 30-40 hours after birth, mothers do not typically begin feeling increased breast fullness (the sensation of milk “coming in”) until 50-73 hours (2-3 days) after birth.

These first two stages of lactation are hormonally driven – they occur whether or not a mother is breastfeeding her baby."

Yes, sage tea and peppermint can dry up your milk but this is AFTER you've delivered. Avoid binding your breasts because that can set you up for mastitis.
Per Kellymom: http://kellymom.com/ages/weaning/wean-ho...
"Do not bind your breasts to help your milk “dry up.” This is an outdated practice that can cause plugged ducts, breast infection, or breast abscess."

More ways to dry up your milk after it's come in (this is for moms who have too much milk but this is good for moms who want to dry up completely)
http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/...

Nicole - posted on 06/04/2012

Im a full time single mother of 3 counting the baby on the way. i have a 1 year old whom has severe speech delays and a 4 year old whom has severe behavior problems and other issues both which require lots upon lots of attention and outside resources. i also work and go to school online so i just simply dont have the time to make time for breastfeeding and bottlefeeding is most convenient for me whereas breastfeeding is too time consuming

Karen - posted on 06/04/2012

Hey these are soon things on my list sage tea it can be found at the health food store. Cold compresses on you breast frequent thru the day this will cause your body to stop producing the hormones needed to make the milk. And it helps with engorment. Do not stimulate your nipples or you will cause milk to develop. And strangely cabbage leaves remove the hard viens out and place cold leaves in your bra till they wilt the nutrients in them will make the milk dry up. And lastly wear snug bras this will also dry up your milk. I hope some of these things will help you.

Karen - posted on 06/03/2012

Ok ill have them for ya tomorrow

Nicole - posted on 06/03/2012

Yes i would gladly appreciate it if you would/ best advice thus far finally a solution thank you so much

Diamond And Rubies - posted on 06/03/2012

Nicole,
You have your reasons. With my child my dr did give me pills, she also was aware enough to realize I had a one year at home and was a single mom. At the time it didn't work for me when my kid was being cart to the dads when she a baby too. This last child, I did breast feed, but it was a different circumstance for me. Do whatever is best for you . Engorgement is painful no matter what.
V

Karen - posted on 06/03/2012

Well I drunk it twice a day. But the more the better. I just really didn't like the taste. I got it from my local health nut store. My project eagle advacate brought me a list of other natural things I could take I will post them tomorrow for you if you'd like

Nicole - posted on 06/03/2012

That was my 1st plans failure lol cuz they dont

Nicole - posted on 06/03/2012

Ok must it be organic or is there a certain method to drinking it as in twice a day or as much as possible?

Diamond And Rubies - posted on 06/03/2012

You can ask your provider if they will prescribe a medication to help dry up your milk. Some do and some do not.

Karen - posted on 06/03/2012

I had milk in my breast between both of my pregnancies. And it wasn't until my last pregnancy was I able to figure out how to dry it up. I mean leaky breast while pregnant isn't very attractive. Lol. I read that eating pure mint as in peppermint will dry up your milk. So I drunk peppermint tea. And it worked. When I got to my 38th week I stopped the peppermint so I could breastfeed. And my milk came back no problem by my 39th week. So try that and see if it works for you

Nicole - posted on 06/03/2012

Thanks for all your guys help.

Happy - posted on 06/03/2012

Nicole, my desire is not to tell you that you are wrong or that I am right. You do what is best for you and yours, just wanted to make sure you are fully informed before making a decision. I know I would appreciate someone helping me learn something I may not know. If you decision is informed, then go with your your decision! Best wishes!!!

Nicole - posted on 06/03/2012

I see what you're both saying but engorgement has nothing to do with my reasoning for not wanting to breastfeed/ i dont wanna breastfeed just simply because formula is best for me and my children whereas breastfeeding is best and more convenient for others.

Happy - posted on 06/03/2012

Very much so! I hope I was able to convey that to Nicole as well! If you do not desire to nurse, Nicole, that is one thing but I did not want you to base your decision on wrong information!

Celeste - posted on 06/03/2012

Happy, I totally agree. You're preaching to the choir! LOL If someone doesn't want to nurse, that's one thing, but if you're basing your decision on misinformation, that's another.

Happy - posted on 06/03/2012

Cool beans, Celeste! Their is just SO much misinformation out there about breastfeeding. I actually had the nurse at my last birth (5/2/12) say exactly what you said, that milk doesn't come in until after the placents delivers. I ripperd her a new one! After all, if you are going to be a NURSE in an OB ward, you better know about female anatomy! I wanted to be kinder to you.I hope I was. :)

Celeste - posted on 06/03/2012

Oh I know, Happy mama. I know several moms who have nursed their adoptive children. I know there is a lot of work involved when you're trying to induce lactation. But, since she isn't wanting to nurse at all, I didn't see the need to mention that.

Happy - posted on 06/03/2012

Your decision to breastfeed or not is your decision and I was not judging you for it, simply stating that your reason is not valid. ALL women, whether they are 22 AA to 52 GGG have engorgement, all women hurt when the engorgement comes, and the ONLY way to get rid of it is to feed or pump. Sorry, but tis true.

But your decision to breastfeed or not is yours alone, I was not saying otherwise.

Nicole - posted on 06/03/2012

Yes im sure it worked fine for you and experience as this is my third child, my oldest being 5 is what told me its not for me it hurts to even touch my breast let alone pump or breastfeed from them once they become engorged which is why i was trying to figure out if there was a way to fix it but engorgement or no engorgement enfamil is best for us but you're right size isnt a problem for everyone and everyone is different and it is definitely a problem for me but thank you as you have been very helpful.

Happy - posted on 06/03/2012

PS...I've breastfed THREE kiddos at this size, so it definitely wasn't a fluke!

Happy - posted on 06/03/2012

Nicloe, you flatter yourself. I am not trying to seem unkind and cocky, even though that does, but I am a 42 DDD and breastfeed just fine. Whiever told you that you couldn't pump or feed because your breast were too big, lied to you!

Nicole - posted on 06/03/2012

I have 36DD's that have already gotten bigger during this pregnancy and will only become even bigger and swollen once they become engorged to the point where breastfeeding and pumping will both be impossible.

Happy - posted on 06/02/2012

Celeste, women who have never been pregnant can lactate. Breastmilk is a supply and demand thing except for in the case of the first week to ten days after birth. There is nothing you can do before hand. There are steps to take, one of the easiest on the breast is to pump enough milk to release then engorgrement and after a couple of days your milk supply will lessen and then be gone. But if I were going through all that trouble, I would at least feed for a few days instead of using a pump.

Lori - posted on 06/02/2012

http://kellymom.com/ages/weaning/wean-ho...

Celeste - posted on 06/02/2012

Sorry, but no. Your milk doesn't come in until the placenta is removed.