Reducing milk supply (16 month old)?

[Itsme85]

Hi, I would really appreciate some advice on reducing my breast milk supply please :)

I have a 16 month old who still feeds breastfeeds. We’ve been night weaning so he sleeps longer (still co-sleeping) and also so my period comes back as we’d like to try for a second. He is taking a little less during the day but still takes a decent amount.

I have always had an oversupply of milk. I’ve also had at least half a dozen bouts of mastitis so I have to pump when they’re full to avoid this.

Does anyone have any experience or tips for reducing my milk supply, ideally to encourage my period and to stop recurring mastitis?

I’ve heard cabbage can help?

Thanks in advance!

You'd be best off joining your local la lèche League and asking for some expert advice.

When I wanted to reduce my supply I took sudafed (I think the active ingredient reduces milk supply), the chemist might not sell it to you if you say what it's for though

Depending on what your aim is, don't take decongestants to dry up your milk. Mainly as if your aim is to just reduce feeding and not stop it completely it could backfire. All drugs work differently for everyone and no one could tell you in advance if it would just reduce supply or dry it up completely. It works as they are designed to dry up bodily fluids and this doesn't just apply to snot it dries up everything.

I agree with finding your local LLL group or equivalent to get some extra support. When I wanted to reduce mine feeding I would offer food first and drinks, then milk as they then tend to take less at a feed as already full. My periods also cams back at exactly 12 months with both mine even though they both breatfed different amounts at that age, DS was definitely having more feeds still at one compared to DD so it could just be that it comes back on its own accord. You can definitely ovulate before you get your period back, so if your not using contraception be watchful on pregnancy symptoms. It maybe ba harder to date your second pregnancy then but good luck.

Epsom salts

Drop the feeds gradually and just express off enough (by hand is probably best as pump is more forceful) to feel comfortable and your supply should gradually reduce as your breasts will get the signal the milk is no longer needed in such quantities.