Help! I Can't Stop Lactating!

E.,

I would contact La Leche League - www.llli.org They should be able to help.

Good luck,
L.

My sister also swears by the cabbage trick.. but ..... I breastfed for about 13 months and haven't breastfed in about a year and still have milk !!! I asked my doctor who told me this was completely normal and can last all the way until menopause!!!! which i hope it doesn't last that long .. but at least you can know it is completely harmless :)
believe me i sympathize

I stopped breastfeeding over 7 years ago, and I still lactate. Cold compresses, and cabbages didn't work. Some months are worse than others. I find I feel kinda ill and achy when they become really engorged. I wish I could make it stop too. :(

I have heard that milk can stay in the breast for up to a year or more. There is also a tea that I saw once that was made to stop lactation. I think I saw it on amazon. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful.

cabbage leaves, no idea why, but it does work. one leaf for each boobie. :D had a friend who did it, surprised the heck out of me, but she was dried up in a week. might take two, not sure, didn't do it myself, just know it's weird but effective. good luck. :D

I don't know why this would work but I have read in numerous books to put cabbage leaves on them in your bra. Who knows if this works or not??

Not sure if it is an old wives tale or not, but I did hear that if you are having this problem to put cabbage leaves on your breasts. Good luck and hope you find a cure soon.

Try eating foods with sage in it. Sage will help stop brest milk. Also look into this site: http://www.motherlove.com/product_sage.php
I have found it very helpful. I wish you all the luck!!

Sage and parsley are both natural drying remedies.

The homeopathic remedy Pulsatilla works to dry up breast milk. It worked for me very quickly when I had to stop nursing my son cold turkey. I was in agony doing the cabbage in the bra. It may have helped, but was not quick enough! Within a day of starting pulsatilla I felt better and within 5 days my milk was GONE. You can get homeopathic remedies in the health food store, Whole Foods, etc. My naturopath gave me mine, which are stronger than you can buy in the store, but I am sure the ones in the store work well too. Buy the stronger ones, 30x.

Helli E.
I know that it is awaful to be continous with you lacation of breast milk even though you have stopped. when my son was a new born I did not breast feed the reason was there wasnt enough milk for him to feed off and it wasnt really my thing. I did lactate which bothered me alot because even though its a natuarl thing it can be a horrible thing when they leak all the time especially if you have to change your top or if its noticable to you and other people .
I did everything from not simulating them to keeping my bra on when so when I talked about it to my boyfreinds mom who is a maternity ward nurse and she had said to use cold cabbage on your nipples untill it wilted then ice them for a bit it worked wonders for me and my breasts stopped lactating. I hope this is helpful for
you.
Good Luck :)

Believe it or not...
Cabbage leaves! I have used them for mastitis and they are a miracle. One can use them to clear up mastitis and continue to breastfeed to keep milk supply in tact. Or, you can use them to "dry-up" the breastmilk supply. Take one full cabbage leaf, for each breast, place one over each breast. Wearing a bra, the cabbage leaves stay put. I would switch out leaves 2 or 3 times in a day. This may take a few days, so try it from a Friday to Sunday if you work during the week. You can do an internet search for cabbage & nursing, or something like that and see what comes up.... Good Luck, I hope this is helpful.
M. P

Yup, go with cold cabbage leaves! I was a nurse in the army, and thats what we told all our moms to do. Just replace them when they get warm and wilty. And definately stay away from warm compresses, that is hurting more than helping.

Try eating peppermint. That helps to dry up milk. Sage also helps. Don't use warm packs that will help your milk to fill the ducts. Use cold or ice packs for discomfort. Try not to let the hot water in the shower stream over your breasts for too long. This may also cause letdown. Wear a supportive bra. Sudafed and other antihistamines can help as well as certain types of birth control. You said you wanted natural remedies though. I hope this helps. Good luck!

I had the same problem. My lactation consultant wound up recommending Sudafed, which isn't natural but definitely works. Good luck!

E., this may sound bizzare, but it worked for my friend -- she knew right off that she was not going to breast feed, so her Dr. told her to put cabbage leaves in her bra sorta cupping her breasts. This completely dried her up!! Not sure if it would work the same on someone that breastfed for a while, or if it only works just after delivery??? what the heck, it cannot hurt, why not give it a try?? I nursed my kids but had no problems drying up when I weaned. good luck!! L. C.

Hi

My doctor suggested Evening Primrose for me.

M.

mint is another herb that will diminish your supply -- either in teas or in food.

also, wearing cabbage leaves in your bra (a trick to get rid of engorgement) will eventually lessen your supply.

warm compresses are probably stimulating a let-down, which is the opposite effect from what you are looking for.

You have to start wearing tight fitting bras...day and night. try sports bras for comfort. also put ice packs (frozen veggies work great!) on your breasts for 10 minutes at least 3 times a day. Don't stimulate your breasts at all.(eg. during sex) & you should be dried up within two weeks.

I don't have any advice for you but I never completely stopped when I had my 7 yr old I only nursed him for a short time because we just didn't click with it but everytime I heard a baby cry I would leak up then got pregnant with my 21 month old successfully nursed him for 10 months do to a surgery I had to have I stopped that was about a year ago and I still haven't stopped lactating and I have left them completely alone but if he cries or I hear another baby cry thats it. I can't wait to see what you get for responses if you get any good advice please send it my way.

I breastfed all three of my girls and never dried up in between. I stopped breastfeeding my youngest over a year ago and could still breastfeed tommorrow if I had to. I have a friend who is 45 and hasn't breastfed for over 15 years and she still has milk. I don't want this to discourage you, I just wanted you to know that you may never dry up so I wouldn't fret too much about it. I just think to myself that if I'm ever stuck on a desserted island with my girls that they wouldn't go thirsty! (Hopefully I could at least make you laugh about it!) Good Luck!