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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

HOW CAN I STOP MY MILK??

28 replies

mad4mybaby · 22/11/2008 16:30

Dont have time to explain but recently had baby and not breast feeding, how can i make the milk stop coming? Obv confusing ds2. with ds1 i leaked for 6 months despite not breastfeeding. Are there any natural things or anything to try?

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lauraloola · 22/11/2008 16:48

I just left it and within a week it went.

My mw suggested 'releasing' some whilst in the bath to take the pain away - I figured that that was going to increase the flow so put up with it.

I think they can give you something to dry it up - I am sure I read it somewhere...

MmeLindt · 22/11/2008 16:51

I was given medication to stop the milk flow. Worked very well. Speak to your doc asap as the sooner you get the meds the more effective the are.

foxytocin · 22/11/2008 17:03

that medication is not available in the UK, madamelindt

StealthPolarBear · 22/11/2008 17:27

I think you just have to leave it until it goes, sorry Express a little bit if it's uncomfortable - you could always feed that to your DS too if that wouldn't confuse him
I found cabbage leaves really helped with engorgement.How old is your DS? Congratulations

kayzisexpecting · 22/11/2008 17:29

Congratulations Mad4!!!!!!!!! We were wondering in the fed up thread!!!!!!!

Mine dried up quite quickly with DS.

StealthPolarBear · 22/11/2008 17:33

This may be obvious but I was quite surprised - the cabbage leaves get hot and make you smell of boiled cabbage.
Lovely

mrsmontano · 22/11/2008 18:34

the doctor can give you medication if it's bothering you. it is definately available in the uk, it's just not given to every non breastfeeding mum, you have to ask for it.

joyfuleyes · 22/11/2008 19:25

I was offered medication to stop lactation after my stillbirth, it is available in the UK. I'd talk to GP/midwife about it.

TheNewsMongrel · 22/11/2008 19:32

in france they routinely offer women something to stop the flow, so there definitely does exist such a drug. have never met anybody who's been offered it in uk or ireland though...

LoveBeingAMummy · 22/11/2008 23:10

My mum said Andrews Salts stop it have no idea if it works or how you do it tbh

chipmonkey · 22/11/2008 23:30

LOL at Andrews Salts! Is there nothing it doesn't do!

Wisknit · 24/11/2008 08:54

The reason they don't routinely give the medication to stop milk is that it can cause a stroke.
If you get engorged just hand express enough to relieve the discomfort - it won't make you prduce more milk but will lower the chances of you developing mastitis.

HTH

mad4mybaby · 24/11/2008 09:32

i had him last thur. it obv confusing him a tad i think. it isnt agony....yet, boobs are bigger obv, leaking, just trying to prevent what happened with ds1 but i guess this may be diff

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heather1980 · 24/11/2008 23:35

epsom salts. but it may give you the runs

Linnet · 24/11/2008 23:45

I asked for medication when I stopped feeding dd1 and it made me black out. I also nearly fainted in the street. I stopped taking it after that, only took about 2 doses, and left the milk to go by itself which it did in a few days.

mad4mybaby · 25/11/2008 18:27

i thought epsom salts were for the bath?? Im now day 5 so i KNOW its early days. the MW said to just leave them, take paracetamol and avoid hot baths. Now quite painful. Not going to express any though as i was told this just encourages the flow.

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Wisknit · 26/11/2008 08:53

honestly...hand expressing a little bit to ease any sorenesss and take the hardness off won't encourage milk production. What it will do is help prevent mastitis and blocked ducts which are very painful.

BikeRunSki · 26/11/2008 16:25

I was in a similar situation 11 weeks ago. Stopped BF after a week and milk dried up within 48 hours.

mad4mybaby · 30/11/2008 20:55

ok, today day 10 and no let up on the milk! They hurt when they are actually leaking. Very strange, the other night i was getting changed and it was literally pouring out of me and running down!

Anyone else help me? I really want to try to find something to stop the production?

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ChukkyPig · 30/11/2008 20:59

6 months is awful, as quite a leaky person who hates wearing a bra and towel in bed you have huge sympathy from me.

i reckon you should talk to your doc, will you try that? Sounds like there might be something they can prescribe.

mad4mybaby · 30/11/2008 21:01

i saw gp at day 5 days and told her i dont want to risk leaking another 6 months like with ds1 and she said it should be back to normal in a few weeks....

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mrsgboring · 30/11/2008 21:02

I had a stillbirth and they told me they no longer give the medication to stop lactation as it has horrible side effects.

They said to wear a tightish fitting bra, express just enough to relieve discomfort, no more and to apply cold to it (heat is also soothing but will make more milk come so cold is preferable)

I wonder if hurting during actual leaking could mean you have thrush? (not an expert here might be talking out of my bottom) Might be worth asking GP.

nappyzonehasastroppytoddler · 30/11/2008 21:03

i went with the savoy cabbage thing and hot baths to ease pain - after 2 days and a mild fever it went as did the fever with aid of paracetemol.

mad4mybaby · 30/11/2008 21:03

hmmm, there is no other discomfort etc. I had awful mastitus with ds1 so thankful not yet any signs of that...

its a wierd pain, sort of like someone is squeezing my boobs really really tightly

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ChukkyPig · 30/11/2008 21:45

I wish I had some wise words for you mad4, i really do.