Is there anything to dry up your supply? Need to return to ivf

[SquidgersMummy]

First of all let me say I love bfing and wish I could keep going until 19 mth dd self-weans...however I am 38, DD was an IVF baby and if I want a sibling I really need to stop and go back to IVF. She is desperate for 'num num' at bedtime, during the night (she has eczema and wakes with horrid itching and it settles her), and at 4/5 for early breakfast. My left boob doesn't make much milk (sorry for TMI) and so she will have a quick go and then is happy to leave it. My right boob has milk. During the day she has Oatmilk (milk allergy) and accepts this fine though will ask for num num when tired etc. I don't want to stop cosleeping and in the week my DH is away so I have no backup. She accepts and understands if something is 'broken' or 'gone'. I just don't want to battle. We have a lovely attachment and I have loved feeding her: I just don't want it all to end in battles. I really think if I can switch it off somehow we will both be sad but at least I am not refusing her, she can have a go and then we can have a cuddle instead. I am going to see my GP on mon: is there anything to ask for to make my milk stop?

[SquidgersMummy]

(Have tried trying to conceive but still no periods so throwing the towel in on the hope that it might magically happen....I have frozen embryos to use but can't make a start on them until stopped feeding and 3 normal periods...)

[leedy]

I think any medications that totally dry up supply are fairly heavy-duty and normally reserved for, eg, cases of stillbirth/late miscarriage: don't think a GP would just hand it out for wanting to stop BF, unfortunately.

Could you just tell her that milk is "all gone for now"/"gone sleepies" without it actually having to be "all gone", IYKWIM? Maybe something like Jay Gordon's night weaning method to reduce the night feeds if she's not feeding much during the day, you might find even knocking the night feeds on the head first might bring your cycle back. Good luck!

(also anecdotally I know a few people who found iron supplements helped bring their cycles back, sorry if that's something you've already tried)

[Tambajam]

You may struggle to get a prescription of Dostinex (the medication which is first choice for this purpose in the UK - safer than bromocriptine which was once in vogue). You could ask but it would be unlikely.

The herb sage is surprisingly effective - fresh and dried. Eat a 1/4 teaspoon of dried sage a few times a day - when you can bear it!

[OhThisIsJustGrape]

When I stopped feeding DS at 2yo, I stuck a plaster over each nipple and told him that my boobs were broken . He whined for about 3 minutes and then just accepted it - we co-slept and he was the most boob addicted child ever but he just accepted it straight away! I also moved him into his own room at that point but I still think he'd have been fine even in bed with me.

If your DD accepts when things are broken etc it might be worth a try?

[BrokenBananaTantrum]

Ok you might think I'm mad but my mum said to have epsom salts. I took them and it did dry up my supply but could have been coincidence.

[BertieBotts]

You could put something bitter tasting on your nipples although I know a lot of people think this is cruel! Warn her in advance obviously and I wouldn't do it with something like chilli which can burn their mouths (not to mention ouch for the nipple itself!)

Can you not BF with IVF? It might be worth phoning the drugs in breastmilk helpline as they are usually the most knowledgeable at this sort of thing, more so than doctors generally (or is it that it reduces effectiveness?)

[Onsera3]

I have a little less urgency as am 33 and DS is 16 mo. I really don't want to stop bf (and not does DS) but my frostie is so often on my mind.

My regular Gynae said three good periods after stopping bf but there is a lot of info out there on the net about people who have done IVF while bf. You do need to have your period though. The La Leche League has info about this. You can find success stories out there.

My DS has atopic health issues too so I really want to keep up the bf so I am hoping to get my period back and keep bf and do IVF.

The milk will stop during the preg sometime anyway though.

The fact that you are night feeding will not be helping you get your period back due to the prolactin levels. Apparently, changing your bf routine can also help, even if you still keep up the night feeds. My sister just tried this and it worked. Eg drop a feed or express the milk.

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

Sudafed will help to dry up your supply but I wouldn't attempt without talking to your doctor first...

[SquidgersMummy]

Hello all. for all!

Leedy, we tried the Dr Sears nightweaning before when she was 9 mths and it did work - but stupidly I then caved when we moved house. I am not sure I could face the battles in the night and then go to work....there would be battles.

OhThis I like the plasters idea!! So clever but non confrontational ! I think that might be my first attempt.

Tamba, I had read about sage: of course it would be the one herb I hate but I will have to woman-up. Frumious, a google search suggested Sudafed. Not heard of the Epsom salts Broken. Interesting. I think I'll take a list of all these with me to the GP and discuss them all. Might get the sage and Epsom in anyway as they can't do any harm I suppose. Was wondering what Sudofed would feel like if you didn't have a runny nose??

Onsera,not sure if you've been thru a 'frozen cycle' before, I have once, at our unit they would put me into menopause with gonadapeptyl and then it's twice daily HRT and twice daily progesterone pessaries so I just think it's too risky for DD...they mimic a cycle but in a very artificial way, plus breast feeding tends to thin the womb lining so I don't want to risk regretting not giving an embryo the best chance possibly. Bertie I'm sure if it was a normal IVF cycle we could figure it out but I have to use my frozen chaps up first and it's much more artificial.

I don't think DD has come across plasters yet...we might just buy some tomorrow and have a go at sore legs etc in preparation.

Thanks - some really helpful ideas. Was feeling very disheartened by it all but now feeling like it's not all gloom xxx

[Onsera3]

Hiya. I haven't done a frozen. It can be done with the hormones or with a natural unstimulated cycle but some clinics don't offer this option.

I know what you mean about wanting to give embryo the best chance of success.

Talking about hormones, that is something that dried my milk up! My Gynae prescribed some oestrogen pessaries for vaginal use for pelvic floor issues. It says you can't take when bf but many bf women are prescribed for low oestrogen symptoms. I googled and most women said didn't affect their supply, Hale said it shouldn't really, but occasional poster said it dried up milk. My milk disappeared within three days! Was terrifying but came back as soon as I stopped taking though.

Does your DD see a specialist about her eczema? DS used to wake himself with scratching when tiny but I've got on top of it now and hardly ever flares up.

[SquidgersMummy]

Hi Onsera, thanks that's interesting re the oestrogen pessaries - I'll add that to my list to take to the GP. We saw a paediatrician that diagnosed DDs milk allergy but not a dermatologist. I've for two gp appts booked to see if we can both have a review. Baby making the ivf way isn't easy is it! How I wish I could just fall pregnant and then there'd be no need to wean...oh well, I supposed nothing good ever comes easy! Thanks for yr post. X