Drying up Breast Milk - Nokomis,IL

it happened to me to! I thought it was never going to get better- but it does! the lanolin works nicely on the nipple, and cold/hot packs work well too, whichever you prefer. I also have heard that wrapping the breast in cabbage leaves works to dry up the milk- which sounds totally weird but apparently works! it only lasts a few days and then you'll be back to snuggling! :)

I can still remember that pain 3 years later!!

I believe what helped me the most was a tight bra (I think they all were at that point) with cold cabbage leaves tucked inside. you will have to change them often-the relief is best when they are really cold.

You just have to get through a couple days and then it should be gone!!

Congratulations to you and good luck!

Hi N.,
It sounds like you have engorgement (sp?). You will most likely need to make an appt. with the Dr.

I am sorry you have all these insensitive moms telling you to nurse him when you are just looking for some real advise. I have heard cabbage leaves work. I personally used ace bandages to bind my breast and then wore a tight sports bra over. The milk went away within a day for me. Whatever you do don't nurse and don't take any hot showers as that will just stimulate more milk production. Send me a message if you want more details....don't worry it will dry up, I know it is so painful at first. And your baby will do great and you will still be a great mom while deciding not to breastfeed! You other moms should be ashamed of yourself for your unsolicited advice....its moms like you that are all self-riteous and holier than thou that give others a bad name!

EDITED RESPONSE:

I just wanted to say that I think it is pretty clear that some of the moms are trying to push breast feeding. Check back to Stacy's responses and I don't think you could take it any other way. I am not disputing the fact that breast feeding is healthy for a baby, but it is not the ONLY WAY! People that choose to formula feed do so for a variety of reasons and have every right as parents to choose this opportunity. There are also many women out there that cannot breast feed for different reasons and they shouldn't be made to feel that they are harming their child because of it. My kid was formula fed and is just fine. I have watched many breastfed kids that get sick as often or more than my daughter, so breastfeeding is not the holy grail of motherhood and keeping your child well. I think every mom has a right to make their own choice. While this poster doesn't explicitly state that she is not breastfeeding, what she does say is she wants her milk to dry up. She also posted the request in "all other topics", not the lactation category....so this leads me to believe she isn't looking for breastfeeding advice. How does someone think it would be helpful to tell a new mom in pain that wants her milk to dry up, to just nurse because it is best for the baby? That doesn't sound like an "I know better than you" attitude? Please!

Here is the private email I just recieved from Stacy S:

A..
I don't think anyone was trying to be "holier than thou". Here request was not very clear. And while noone seems to be judging, it is a proven fact that breastmilk is far superior to formula. If you choose to give formula and are this angry, maybe it's you that has some regrets:)

**Just proves my point about the holier than thou attitude Stacy. I am comfortable with my decision and have no regrets. I don't feel it neccesary to put down a new mom for a personal choice she makes. I am sure your mothering techniques are "far superior" to mine, but at least I am not judging as you clearly are. BTW, I am angry...it makes me angry when someone tries to guilt trip other people into doing what they feel is best. It is the opposite of being supportive, which is what a board for mothers should be all about.

I didn't read any other post, so sorry if this a repeat. Fresh cabbage leafs inside your bra directly on your breasts. Sounds weird, but i did it. Seemed to help. Good luck

PS - Just read the other posts, my kids are 10 and 15. I formula fed, and they are healthy as horses!!! And we all "bonded" just fine!! Mothers should NEVER guilt other moms into doing something they don't feel comfortable with!! Shame on them!!!

i've heard that placing cold cabbage leaves on your breasts will help with the swelling.

Congrats on your new baby! It sounds like you are not planning to breastfeed and want your milk to totally dry up. If that's the case, I recommend cabbage leaves. Buy a fresh cabbage, keep it in the fridge, and peal off enough leaves to cover each breast (stuff your bra). When the leaves start to wilt, apply fresh leaves. Feels weird but will dry your milk up. It will also help the engorgement.

It's a good motivator for you to nurse him, I'd think. I experienced the same with my daughter. Here are some resources that helped me:

KellyMom ROCKS for the FAQs of breastfeeding.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/engorgement.html

BF basics:
http://www.breastfeeding-basics.com/html/engorgement.shtml

La Leche League, Illinois:
http://www.llli.org/FAQ/engorgement.html

Good luck! And remember, the first part can be really hard. Don't pressure yourself to "enjoy" every moment, because frankly, the learning curve is just tremendous. I found that every second I was holding my baby in those first weeks, she was either nursing or sleeping, and that was good. That IS the quality time.

Cabbage leafs, ace bandage wrapped tight and a sports bra. Hope that helps. Good luck to you.

My recommendation is to nurse him more often--every hour or two if necessary. And take care to not let him sleep too long at night (not longer than 2-3 hours), because if you do you will wake up engorged again.

If the breast is too engorged for that, you can try pumping some out first to help to soften the nipple.

For nipple soreness I recommend Lansinoh. You can find it in the baby-feeding section of most grocery stores. I know that they usually have it at the Jewel stores.

Here are some more ideas for engorgement...

http://www.llli.org/FAQ/engorgement.html

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/t021700.asp

Best wishes,
J.

cold cabbage leaves in your bra, replaced as they wilt. My sister in law (with 4 boys) swears by it. Good luck- and don't listen to any breastfeeding ranters that respond...you might get some :) I have been nursing my 11 mo old for the first year due to my older one having 4 food allergies at age 2 but I totally understand not wanting to nurse!

Hi N.,

My first advice would be to give your little baby your milk.
For drying it up, I don't know what works other than cabbage leaves to take away the discomfort.

Good Luck!

I used ace bandages to bind my breast and then wore a tight sports bra and I took HOT showers and just let the water and steam get to them... ooh that helped ALOT. hope you find what works best for you. Congrats on your new baby!!

First of all, I don't think that the BF moms are trying to tell you that you should nurse. It was just hard to tell at first if you are having engorgement issues or if you just need to dry up your milk. Both are painful. I have 4 kids and I bottlefed 2 and breastfed 2. I remember freezing wash cloths and putting them in my bra for a couple of days. Don't take a hot shower--who has time anyway with a new baby. Take some Tylenol and in a couple of days it will be over. Good luck!

It does sound like you have engorgement. I had this with my son, and I know how uncomfortable it is. My baby could barely latch on because of it and it was frustrating for both of us. My lactation nurse had me pump some before he nursed to get some out, and even after he nursed because he was not getting all of the milk out when he did eat. That did help. He was a fast eater and would often only take one side so the other was left with too much.

So I would try pumping some before and after to help. I hope that works. If not, I would make an appt. with your doctor.

I have heard cabbage leaves in the bra also SLOWLY I repeat slowly start binding yourself with something like a towel. It is of course painful at first but tighten it up every hour or so and it will eventually (not right this second of course) dry up.
Good Luck, I know how painful this can be OOCH!!!!

Sounds like you've got a lot of great advice. The cabbage leaves really do work. I would wash them and put them in a ziploc in the fridge ready to use. Good for you for breastfeeding. It is the best thing for your baby. It will get better soon! Stick with it!

Cold cabbage leaves. The cold soothes the pain and the actual cabbage helps dry up the milk.

If you are breastfeeding on demand, the swelling will go away all by itself! As soon as you nurse, you will feel immediate relief.

Hot towels worked for me.

Nurse him like crazy. You will feel better and it's the best thing for him.

Edit:
Anne A seems a tad bit angry:) N., I think some of the moms were not clear what your request was. Noone was judging, just giving their advice. Enjoy your little baby and good luck to you.

N.,

I know this sounds weird...I have not actually tried it b.c I'm breast feeding, but they told us in the hospital to place cabbage leaves on your breast for engorgement...you break the membranes, place them on your breast and then they apparently bring the milk out. Now, I don't know if this is just for engorgement or it will also help with drying you up...but I know it will help with the pain. I would google it to get more information, but everyone says it works.

I tried everything when I wanted to stop and the only thing that worked for me was sage tea, within 2 days I was completely dried up. Good Luck and enjoy Motherhood.
Congrats on your new baby!!!

Ditto on the cabbage leaves! They worked with both of my sets of twins, and I did get mastitis (ouch!). One other thing I don't think was mentioned is that after you put the cabbage leaf (no need to crumble, just put on as is) on your breast, take a newborn disposable diaper and fill it with the hottest water you can withstand. Put it over the cabbage and breast; do the other breast/side too. Then put your bra/nursing bra/ace bandage wrap or whatever over it. You'll be amazed at how that also helps! Speeds it up I think. Good luck!

This happened to me. Try the Medela gels, or hot/cold packs from Gerber. Lanolin can go right on the nipple. My Dr. gave me "all purpose nipple cream," which is a miracle, by prescription only.
Note I breastfed, but whether you formula feed or breastfeed, you'll be VERY sore at first. I was actually too sore to nurse the first few days and used formula anyway. Then I pumped when I could.
It will get better, and rather quickly. Hang in there.

Ok rereading question and not sure if you are nursing now or trying to get rid of milk because you are not nursing...if you are good job and nurse on demand, take some hot showers and hand express a little, if you pump just pump a little for comfort. eventually your body will make what it needs and stop going in overdrive. If you are not nursing well maybe you could reconsider that decision as it it NOT too late!

http://www.justmommies.com/articles/drying-up-milk.shtml

Perhaps this will help ease your pain - enjoy your new baby and good luck to you!

Hi N.,
First of all, ow. I rememeber that stage. My remedies are nurse the child. If you are nursing, then pump the rest of the breast milk out. Really, this works.
If you are not nursing, a bag of frozen vegetables on the breasts helps. Ask you lactation consultant what kind of cabbage leaves dry up the milk(cheap and unsightly). There is a pill but I do not know the name. I know that it exists however. A girlfriend of mine did not nurse and that was how she got comfortable.

Good luck,
L. L.

Mom to Sarah, 5 and Devin 4

I am not sure of you are breast feeding or formula feeding from your post. But it may help to pump just a little bit. I know pumping helps up your supply if you are breast feeding, but if you are not wanting to breast feed I would think pumping or hand expressing a very little just to relieve some of the pressure would be ok?
In the meantime if you are planning on formula feeding... DO NOT take hot showers that will just add to the discomfort. Also a tight bra helps and I've heard cabbage leaves in your bra helps. Another thing is if your baby is hungry don't wait too long to feed him. Sometimes if a baby is crying because of hunger your body will let down milk as a natural response. Again adding to discomfort. Also, if you are trying to dry up milk don't use warm heat. Use cold as warm stimulates milk production.
If you are breast feeding and having engorgement issues feed baby on demand will help. If baby can't latch a breast pump is a life saver :) Also, if you don't have a pump or anything at the moment (keep in mind IF you are wanting to bf take a hot shower and hand express some. It will hurt but it will relieve the pressure and give you relief)
The last thing is be careful you are not getting mastitis (a breast infection). That will be very painful. You will have red lines going down your breast and a fever and I'm not sure what all the symptoms or signs are, but if you google it you will find out.
If nothing seems to be working call your doctor, or even (in my case anyway) the baby's doctor may be helpful.

hmm. how about nursing him?? if you're not nursing, cabbage leaves and taking an antihistimine will help.

Try using cabbage leaves. I know it sounds weird but when I was ready to stop nursing with my first, that really helped. Buy green cabbage and put it in the fridge.....when it is cold crumble it a bit and put it in your bra. When it gets warm do it again. I helps to soothe your breast and then somehow dry the milk. Good luck and hope it helps!!

Hi N.,
The best way to get relief is to nurse your baby. If he is having a hard time latching on because of the engorgement, hand express a bit of milk before you put him to the breast so that he can latch on more easily. If he is not giving you enough relief you can use a pump to express just enough to be comfortable, don't over pump or you will create the opposite effect. Warm compresses are also helpful and can be alternated with cold packs. Warm showers and just letting the milk drip out while showering can also provide some relief. Just so you know this should be a temporary situation. If you nurse your baby on demand (when he shows early signs of hunger) the engorgement should subside in a day or two. Your body will adjust. The baby is informing your body during these early weeks how much milk it needs to make. I promise it won't always feel like this! I have been helping new moms with breastfeeding for over 11 years. If you would like to call me, feel free.
Congratulations! A. ###-###-####