to express or not

[freedom2011]

Hi. I have to stop breastfeeding due to drug cocktail I'm taking for a bad back. I've taken tablets for a week now to stop the milk and expressed the first couple of days to relieve the milk. I am still Leaking. Shiuld I pump it out or will that just increase production?

Breastfeeding works on a supply and demand basis, so if you express that will continue to stimulate your breasts and keep your supply going. I'd not express unless you absolutely have to i.e. If you are engorged and need to do so for comfort. Even in that scenario I'd only hand express enough off to make your breasts feel a bit softer, don't try to fill a bottle (for example).

I think even without the tablets milk supply dries up in about 20 days and is completely gone by 40 (haven't double checked that so don't quote me on it) so you shouldn't have to put up with the leaking for much longer.

Thank you. Will be patient.