Hi all! I am currently weaning my son from BF. He only BF once a day in the morning. I am transitioning him to cows milk. How long will it take for my BM to dry up?
It depends on your body really, but if you want to help it along there is one thing I've heard of that can help a lot. It may sound weird, but put cold cabbage leaves directly in your bra. Something about them makes you stop producing so much milk and helps with the pain of engorgement.
Sorry for the late response.... I stopped breastfeeding my son a few months ago and it took me a good month to dry up! I was only nursing him once a day also so I was fortunate not to have any pain. I really didn't notice I was completely dried up until my breasts completely shrunk! Hope this helps :)
If you're only down to one feeding a day you really shouldn't have engorgement issues. I was down to one feeding a day and I didn't! After about two weeks, my milk was gone. For a year or two, I could squeeze out a drop or so if I tried, but that was it. Good luck!
I think it takes just a few weeks after the engorgement goes away the milk will dry up, but even after a year of not breast feeding sometimes i can get a little milk to come out if i wanted.
I haven't breastfed in 2 1/2 years and I can still express a few drops if I try (I don't often...LOL). But the uncomfortable feeling shouldn't be bad...not like when it first came in.
Hi S.,
I have breast fed 4 babies so far and breastfeeding number 5 right now and I honestly can not remember...hmmm I guess I wasn't that long-else I would remember. Try looking at La Leche League's website or call a Lactation Consultant at a local hospital they can probably give you some great info. If you have pain, just know (like child birth) it will past and before you know it you will forget all about it (at least I do).
R.
