How to dry up breast milk: 8 Methods

How to dry up breast milk: 8 Methods

How to dry up breast milk? Breast milk may be dried up and stored for later use by persons who choose not to or seldom breastfeed. Pain, engorgement, leaky breasts, and occasionally an infection called mastitis may result from lactation in a person who does not breastfeed or pump.

It’s conceivable that engorgement is the sole motivation for some individuals to reduce their supply, while others may desire to do so for more drastic reasons.

In this post, we’ll discuss various potential therapies and drugs for reducing breast milk, as well as some of the potential hazards and safety concerns associated with using them.

Natural methods for reducing breast milk production

When a nursing mother ceases breastfeeding, the milk supply dries up naturally. However, the time it takes varies from person to person, and in the meanwhile, engorgement may be rather uncomfortable.

Breast milk may be dried using the following methods, however, the findings of scientific studies on its effectiveness have been inconsistent.

Do not try to breastfeed or pump.
Putting off breastfeeding or pumping is a common tactic for women who want to save their breast milk. Breast milk production rises in response to rising demand.

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Skipping nursing or pumping sessions sends the message to the body to create less milk, regardless of how the mother is feeling about the activity.

If you feel you need to express milk, do so gently and avoid activities that may stimulate your breasts.

Use a cabbage leaf

Cabbage leaves have been studied extensively as a potential treatment for stomach distention.

A 2012 research discovered that the leaves actually extended the time a mother could breastfeed, despite the advice of several manuals to the contrary. Not because it stimulated milk production, but because it relieved the discomfort of breastfeeding, cabbage was a popular choice.

So, although cabbage may reduce engorgement discomfort, it may not reduce milk production.

Eat medicinal plants and drink herbal teas.

Breast milk production may be inhibited while drinking certain herbal teas. However, their efficacy is limited by the herbs used to reduce breast milk production.

Teas made from particular plants, herbal supplements, and eating edible herbs are all viable options.

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There are several plants that have been shown to have therapeutic potential, and they include:

Many anecdotal accounts suggest drinking sage teas to stop or greatly decrease lactation. However, it has not been studied to see how it affects a breastfeeding baby. In addition, excessive dosing might produce hypoglycemia and nausea/dizziness; if any of these symptoms develop, discontinue treatment as directed on the packaging.

There is some evidence that jasmine may reduce levels of the hormone prolactin, which is necessary for lactation. Scientists have not yet determined what “safe levels” are for this plant. You should only drink it as part of a premade tea blend with other herbs like sage, however.

Oil of peppermint: Topical use of peppermint oil on the breasts has been linked to a decrease in milk production. Its tingling sensation may also help alleviate the discomfort of fullness. People should avoid using the oil at all costs if they are still breastfeeding or plan to engage in skin-to-skin contact with their newborn.

Similar to Jasmine, parsley has been shown to reduce prolactin levels. You may add parsley to a salad or use it as a spice.

Give breast binding a try.

Breast binding has been used for millennia to decrease milk production, although there is little scientific evidence that it is effective.

In fact, a review of the literature conducted in 2012 indicated that this approach actually exacerbated pain rather than alleviating weaning-related discomfort.

Get a massage.

If you’re experiencing the discomfort of engorgement, try giving your breasts (not your nipples) a gentle massage. However, an increase in milk production might occur if breasts are stimulated too often. So, massage just till the discomfort is reduced.

Breast milk-drying medications

Women who are breastfeeding should discuss any drug use with their doctor since certain medicines might reduce or eliminate breast milk production. Some possibilities are outlined in the following sections

Medicines that block prolactin’s effects

Prolactin levels may be lowered with the use of drugs like cabergoline and bromocriptine.
Reliable Suggesting that lactation might be reduced.

Although effective in decreasing milk production immediately after birth, its usefulness at later stages of breastfeeding, such as during the weaning of a toddler, has not been well studied.

These drugs are available only with a doctor’s prescription.

Medications like Estrogen and Birth Control Pills

Taking estrogen may help women produce less breast milk. The estrogen component of a combination hormonal birth control pill is safe for use if the user is not seeking to conceive.