Breastmilk Questions.

Updated on August 18, 2006
A.B. asks from Blackwell, OK
18 answers

I breastfed my daughter until she was 7 months old, at that time my supply started to dry up as she was eating more solids. I also work outside the home full time so I was ready to stop pumping. Anyway, my daugter is now 10 months and I have not breastfed in well over 3 months but I still have some milk. I am calling it milk because I don't know what else to call it. I don't want to call it discharge, it does not have any characteristics of infection, like there is not any redness, swelling, pain, fowl oder, off color, anything like that. It resembles colostrum really. It only comes out if expressed, but when expressed it is more than just a drop or two. Is this normal? It really does not bother me, but I did not know if I should be concerned or call my gyno.

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone, at least I know I am normal now (at least with this)!

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A.H.

answers from Kansas City on

way normal....I had milk/discharge well after breasfedding my first. I've heard that some can have it even years down the road. If you are concerned then call you doctor but sounds normal to me.

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D.

answers from Rockford on

I wouldn't be concerned about it. I would continue to pump and give to her. Breastmilk is a remarkable thing. It protects the system. Formula rips villa off the gut. Villa is what absorbs the nutrients. One bottle of formula can interfere with iron absorption for 6 months. Formula is from cows, cow�s milk is not designed to be a large part of the human diet. Cows have multiple stomachs, humans have one. Soy milk can mess with estrogen levels, causing early puberty. If you got the breastmilk, use it. I have been in maternal child health for over 10 years and have taught breastfeeding education to the state of Illinois. Please ask one of the lactation consultants at you local hospital for a second opinion.

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M.L.

answers from Kansas City on

Perfectly normal. As long as the milk is how you describe it, you're fine. I breastfed all three of my children and it took months before it was gone. Even then I could notice now and again......just keep an open line of communication with your OB/GYN for the future. -M.

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S.M.

answers from Tulsa on

Totally normal. I nursed both of my little ones for 12 months each and up to 6 months after stopping nursing, I could still hand express at times (more than a drop). The hormones just take a while to fade away...no harm...no worries!

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M.C.

answers from Kansas City on

I nursed my son until he was 11mos. I could still express milk over a year later, especially when I would lean over his crib and my breasts would push against the rail. Just about the time they finally "dried up", I got pregnant again, and it started back up.

Obviously, if there are any signs of infection, or if it is only one breast and not both, I would call. I would be willing to bet all is well.

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N.W.

answers from Kansas City on

A.-
I had the same problem. Whenever my 11 month old would cry I would express milk. The doctor told me that if I did not dry up by the time he turned a year that they would give me a pill to stop it. I am sorry I can't remember the name of the pill.

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L.W.

answers from Columbia on

Same thing happened to me. My son is now two and it just now started to stop coming out when expressed. My OBGYN said it's normal and not to worry.

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A.

answers from St. Louis on

I was the same way. I wouldnt worry - sounds like you know what to look for. Did you know even adoptive parents can sometimes breastfeed, b/c it is from being stimulated regularly - the suckling motion - not from being pregnant that your glands produce milk. Although the pregnancy tremendously boosts the results! I was suprised to find that out myself!
Best Wishes,
A.

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J.

answers from Kansas City on

A.,
This is perfectly normal. I have breastfed four children and it has happened with all after weaning. It usually lasts for 4-7 months and will eventually end. It just takes a while for the milk ducts to return to a prenursing state.

Good Luck!
J.

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J.N.

answers from Kansas City on

My milk dried up in a similar manor. It just takes time to stop production, particularly if you had a very good milk supply. I was lady bountiful for almost a year. Don't worry to much unless there is pain or soreness in the breast.

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K.

answers from Tulsa on

Yeah that happened to me too. It will eventually stop doing that... but I don't even know how long it took mine to stop. More than a couple months.

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J.H.

answers from Bloomington on

I breast fed my son for 9 months and what you are explaining was normal for me. I was able to get beads of milk if I tried for well over a year after I stopped nursing. I have not tried lately as I am pregnant and don't want to start leaking. I have asked my dr. about this several times and have been told that this is very normal and nothing to worry about. Good luck.

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B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I still had milk 3 years after I stopped with the first one. If it makes you feel better I would talk to your OBGYN, they can give you tips on how to get it to stop, you might also look at LLL web site.
B.

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J.M.

answers from Tulsa on

I stopped breastfeeding my daughter 3 years ago and I can still express a drop ir two from time to time depending on where I am in my cycle. If it doesn't seem infected, you are probably just normal.

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T.

answers from Kansas City on

When I finished breastfeeding I also had some milk for quite some time. Eventually it went away. I think this is normal and wouldn't worry about it. If you still are worried about this later, mention it at your next obgyn appt, or even call le leche.

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L.C.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi A.!
I am of course not a doctor by any means but I will tell you that I started to breastfeed my son when he was born and had a lot of trouble. I decided to switch him to bottles when he was still just a week or so old. Still to this day if I would squeeze a little bit, there is hardened milk that would come out and he is thirteen. I would say it is normal and that it takes a long time to completely go away. This is just a tiny little piece that I am referring to but I only fed him that way for a week and I still see that! I hope this helps a little bit!! Good Luck, L.

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A.

answers from St. Louis on

The same thing happened to me with both of my children. My oldest is 4 soon to be 5 and i could still express milk even when i became prego with my second child and he is only 8 months. Totally normal accoring to my ob

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L.

answers from Kansas City on

Perfectly normal. As long as you have no signs of infection and it is not causing any inconvenience with soiling clothing, don't worry about it. It will eventually dry up on its own. I breastfed both my sons (now 4 & 2) and I can still occasionally get a drop when doing a self breast exam in the shower!

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