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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Can you stop your milk coming in?

65 replies

babyhmummy01 · 14/07/2013 18:57

Due to medical reasons I will not be BF but am worried about my milk coming in - i am sure i read somewhere that there are meds that can be given to stop your milk coming in, is that true and if so how easy is it to arrange?

OP posts:
MoaningMingeWhingesAgain · 14/07/2013 19:05

They are not usually prescribed in the UK. Snug fitting comfy bra and not feeding will soon see your milk disappear, if you don't feed. It will usually come in but soon go away if the milk isn't being removed. You may feel uncomfortable/need some simple painkillers.

Are you definitely planning not to BF at all? If would be very rare (though possible of course)for a medical problem to prevent it.

Original poster
babyhmummy01 · 14/07/2013 19:09

Definitely not BF at all and not prepared to even discuss the potential to be honest - its not the condition but the treatment for it that prevents BF due to crossing the barrier

OP posts:
Bert2e · 14/07/2013 19:09

If you are going to be taking certain drugs that you think may stop you bf please check with an expert to make sure that they are incompatible with bf - most are fine. Ask on here or ring the Breastfeeding Network drugs information line.

Original poster
babyhmummy01 · 14/07/2013 19:12

Not meaning to be rude but I have checked - and i cannot BF so please do not try to convice me of otherwise - this is MY decision

OP posts:
Shesparkles · 14/07/2013 19:17

Baring in mind I'm 43 (todayGrin ) so this is very old info, my mum was given a drug to dry up her milk not long after I was born-I've no idea what it was or if it's something that's still available, but it has been done in the past.

This might be something that it might be better to ask your GP about rather than your midwife, as a GP may be less likely to try to try to persuade you to go down the BF route as he/she will have more of an awareness of the treatment you have.

I BF both of my children but I'm totally pro choice, and if BF isn't for you, for whatever reason, I respect that

MoaningMingeWhingesAgain · 14/07/2013 19:19

I haven't tried to convince you otherwise, I have answered your question.

You are welcome, BTW.

VinegarDrinker · 14/07/2013 19:20

If you speak to your medical team they may well be happy to prescribe it - the medication you need is cabergoline.

It's regularly prescribed for mothers with HIV, to give one example.

Original poster
babyhmummy01 · 14/07/2013 19:21

moaning, sorry it was aimed at Bert not at you

OP posts:
Original poster
babyhmummy01 · 14/07/2013 19:23

thanks sparkles & vinegar

My MW is aware due to the meds having a high chance of MC and is fully aware of my decision, she has been very supportive although not so sure they will be same in the hospital! I will speak to both MW and my GP with the info you have given - thanks xx

OP posts:
Bert2e · 14/07/2013 19:29

It's totally your decision whether you bf or not, I'm not trying to change your mind. I'm simply giving you the information you would need to find out whether the medication you are taking really is a problem as unfortunately I've seen many mums who have been told they cannot bf on a drug when that simply isn't true and have been very upset. If you just don't want to bf that's fine.

orderinformation · 14/07/2013 19:29

Hi babyhmummy01.
How exciting re your baby.

I have mix fed both mine and find bottle feeding just as fulfilling as the eye contact thing is even stronger than when bf. As a doc said to me at the time, all that matters is you feed your baby, whatever it is you feed them.

Original poster
babyhmummy01 · 14/07/2013 19:35

i am probably a bit over sensitive and reading the wrong intent to your message Bert so I apologise. I have been very careful to check as i am aware that BF is better for baby, but it literally comes down to BF and not be able to pick her up without risking my shoulder giving way and dropping her or FF and know that baby is safe. I have discussed at length with the Pain Clinic and my DP and am fully aware of my options etc, but am coming under attack from certain ppl in RL who are intent on ignoring the medical side and berating me for effectively poisoning by baby.

Orderinfo - thanks hun. As long as she feeds, puts on weight and is happy that is all that matters at the end of the day!

OP posts:
Fairylea · 14/07/2013 19:40

You can get drugs to reduce prolactin levels - which is the main hormone responsible for breastmilk production (I know because I have been prescribed it from a non pregnancy point of view as I have a prolactin secreting tumour and I produce breastmilk all the time even though I have never breastfed my two dc). If you do decide to ask for medication ask for dostinex as opposed to bromocriptine as the dostinex is newer and less side effects. (I had to take a higher dose when trying to conceive and it worked for me).

I didn't breastfeed either of my dc however and even with my condition I found my milk just never really came in properly as without the stimulation of breastfeeding etc it just tends to go away quickly. Just wear supportive bras and avoid nipple rubbing etc.

Bert2e · 14/07/2013 19:43

Apology accepted babyhmummy01!

Original poster
babyhmummy01 · 14/07/2013 19:47

Fairylea - sorry about your condition but thank you for the info, I will speak to GP etc now i am armed with info rather than 'i think i read it somewhere'

Thanks Bert Grin I am automatically on the defensive with this as i know in RL and MN terms its a fairly emotive subject!

OP posts:
Fairylea · 14/07/2013 19:57

You're welcome... and good luck :) .. and please don't ever feel bad about not breastfeeding. When your dc are grown up, trust me no one will even think about how you fed them as babies!

I could have breastfed both of mine and probably wouldhave been able to produce an abundance of milk due to my condition but it just didn't appeal to me and I wanted dh to be able to share all the feeds and night feeds etc and it worked for us. I found having a cold water steriliser really good as opposed to a steam one or whatever as you can just throw all the washed bottles and dummies in there and they stay sterile for up to 24 hours until you need them.... I'm waffling now. But honestly you'll be fine :)

Original poster
babyhmummy01 · 14/07/2013 20:05

thanks for the tips Fairylea! I have a steam steriliser cos it does it in like 10 mins so speed and ease appeals, have played with it and with 5 weeks to go (although with BH getting worse and pressure downstairs it may be sooner) I am almost prepared i think...

And to be honest for the same reasons as you I am not sure i would have 100% BF even if i could have the option. My DP has 2 DC's from his marriage and felt horrendously isolated and left out of their early days due to his EXW EBF among other things. She was and is very controlling where the kids are concerned and has never allowed him to discipline or parent so this should be a fun time as there is no way i am doing it all on my own!

He is so looking forward to being a hands on daddy, he got all weepy when i made him get the steriliser down so we could play with it. He has loved choosing bottles although he drew the line at letting me buy the pink tommee tippee ones!

OP posts:
Bunbaker · 14/07/2013 20:18

"I have mix fed both mine and find bottle feeding just as fulfilling as the eye contact thing is even stronger than when bf."

I don't "get" this eye contact thing. I BF DD for 6 mon ths, but she was such a slow feeder that I didn't sit there gazing into her eyes, but read or watched TV. Do BF mothers really sit there gazing into their baby's eyes during the entire length of a feed, really?

"I wanted dh to be able to share all the feeds and night feeds"

I am pro choice and find this excuse to not BF really weak. I would much rather someone said that they just didn't fancy it. I, personally, don't think that feeding a baby is particularly bonding. Cuddling and playing with a baby is far more bonding then feeding.

Original poster
babyhmummy01 · 14/07/2013 20:20

bunbaker its not an excuse it is a reason she felt was valid and that is all that matters

OP posts:
ExBrightonBell · 14/07/2013 20:47

Sorry to go off your main topic, but I couldn't not comment on your post about your DP's EXW. Exclusively bf does not automatically exclude a partner from bonding with their baby. Your DP's EXW excluded him because she was "controlling" in your words. Exclusively bf is irrelevant. She could equally have excluded him by controlling all formula feeds for example, or ff and bf if she chose to mix feed.

Fairylea · 14/07/2013 20:50

Bunbaker - it's not about dh bonding with the baby, it's because I wanted a break and to share night feeds so I could sleep! As simple and selfish as that. I don't need to justify myself to anyone. Ds and dd won't ring me up when they are 18/20/30/40 etc to ask why I didn't breastfeed them. It's my choice.

LoveBeingUpAt4InTheMorning · 14/07/2013 20:54

Bottle feeding is not poison op (said as a mum of 2 bf baby's!)

My mum swears a big does of Epsom salts sorts it out but haven't tried it myself.

DameFanny · 14/07/2013 20:55

Back to the drying up milk thing - it's apparently effective to wrap your breasts tightly with bandages for the first few days, so your milk doesn't come in. As if you were pretending to be a man sort of tightness.

But there are things available that your midwife can get for you, because -for example - if you'd not had a live birth you'd be in the same position - so just keep asking.

Original poster
babyhmummy01 · 14/07/2013 20:56

EXBrighton her explanation to DP was that as she wanted to EBF bottles would be harmful and pushed him out - it was the control over it i was trying to convey rather than blaming EBF iyswim

Fairylea - this is why i get so defensive of my situation! Pro choice and excuse are more than a little contradictory imo

OP posts:
DameFanny · 14/07/2013 20:57

Oh, and from personal experience migraines really dry up your milk, but that's not an option for everyone Grin