When Does the Milk Dry Up?

I just went to doctor this week because I';m still lactating and I stopped breast feeding a yead and a half a go and he said that he has seen some people lactate up 8 years afterwards. SO just be patient.

I breastfed both of my daughters for a year apiece, and I still had minute amounts of milk for almost a year after I stopped.

Hello S., Your milk will dry up when your body stops producing the hormone prolactin. It will taper off slowly. The milk is absorbed by the body as other fluids are. Happy holidays.

Hello, S.! It's been a few years since I breastfed my kids, but I had a hard time drying up once I stopped breastfeeding due to engorgement problems/infection. But it does take awhile..your body goes through a lot during this time period. As long as you've completely stopped breastfeeding, your milk supply should gradually start to diminish. But if you have concerns, you should talk to your doctor. God bless..L.-Michigan

I had small amounts for just over a year. The majority dried up ~5 months after completely stopping.

What they tell mothers who dont nurse to dry up their milk is to wear a very snug bra or wrap an ace bandage tighly around your bosom, and that it will help it to stop...perhaps you could try that! I nursed all my kids and had the same issue so I wore a very tight bra and it seemed to work for me...hope it helps!

There really is nothing wrong with your breasts having milk in them even if it is not being "used". If you want to try things to dry up the milk a decongestent ie. Sedafed will help. You can also eat sage.
blessings, K.

Ummmm, If you just don't touch them, and don't let anyone else touch them for about a week more, I think, they will be done...dried up. Your body will realize that this is not needed anymore and your body will just re-absorb any milk that is left. And then, yeah, back to normal! I guess that is the best way to explain it...lol. It's been 8 years since I stopped breast feeding. I hope this helps.

Hi S.,

I only have 1 daughter and am still nursing her 3 times a day, but I have lots of friends with lots of kids. I have had this discussion with them all. Each one had a different story. Some dried up and could not express any within weeks, others took longer. I think from the responses you have received you can see it just varies from person to person.

If you don't put baby (or pump) to the breast then it will eventually stop. It's the sucking activity that stimulates milk production (not touching your breasts or having some fun with your husband). Yes, it is true, any milk that is "removed" in any way will stimulate more production. But this can happen even in the shower through warm water. However, the amount of milk that is removed is really negligable. I do alot of research on anything baby related and ask TONS of questions of my mommy friends, my doula, my OB, anyone.

As far as where does the milk go the answer is your body will reabsorb it. Just like in the beginning when you most likely had a bit of an overproduction until you and baby settled into a supply/demand cycle.

No worries. You're normal. If you feel any lumps or anything that doesn't seem normal, then you should seek out your doctor. Other than that, just wait it out. That full feeling will dissipate.

I think everyone is different. My second daughter i dried up within weeks. And this time i quit breastfeeding almost 3 months ago and i still have milk in there. Im not leaking or anything but once in awhile with no bra I see milk come out. Well hope ive helped.

i stopped breastfeeding in sept, and sometimes i can still express milk, and with my first i could always get a little milk after a year of not breastfeeding.

I haven't breastfed for 2 years and I can still get a little milk out of mine (not that I try often...LOL)...just something I noticed during exams.

~L.

Hi S.,

I have two kids and I breast fed both. My milk didn't dry completely up for almost a year and a half with both. as they are 5 years apart.

Take Care,

I nursed my baby for 16 months, she's now 26 months and if I squeeze them just right milk comes out still.