The easiest way on how to dry up milk supply without getting mastitis is to use cabbage leaves, sage tea, super supportive bras, weaning your baby off the breast, gradually decreasing the amount you pump, prescription anti-lactation medication, and a lot of perseverance!
You’ve decided that you’re done breastfeeding and want to dry up your milk supply, but you don’t want to get mastitis in the process.
It’s not uncommon for women to experience a breast infection from clogged milk ducts while drying up their milk supply. This can be quite painful and cause a great deal of discomfort.
Here are some tips on how to dry up milk supply without getting mastitis.
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How to dry up your milk fast!
Breastfeeding has a ton of benefits for you and your baby. But there comes a time when every mom has to say goodbye to breastfeeding.
Drying up your milk supply can be hard on your body, and you may experience some discomfort. But with the right information, you can dry up your milk supply without getting mastitis.
Reasons someone needs to stop breastfeeding
Although the reasons to stop breastfeeding are personal, here are some general ones:
- You’re done with breastfeeding
- Your baby is no longer interested in nursing
- You have a high-risk pregnancy
- You’re going back to work and can’t pump breast milk for your baby
- You have a health condition that requires medication
- Giving the baby up for adoption or loss of baby
When should I stop breastfeeding?
This is an incredibly personal decision that only you can make for yourself and your baby.
If you and your baby are both happy, then definitely keep going! Don’t let anyone pressure you into weaning early if you are not ready. This is ultimately up to you.
Related: Benefits of Breastfeeding a Toddler
How to stop your breast milk supply without getting mastitis
Here are the top tips for drying up your milk without having to worry about getting mastitis.
1. Use prescription anti-lactation medication
If you want to dry up and stop your breast milk production as quickly as possible, using prescription anti-lactation medication is the best way to stop milk production. This will help to stop lactation and dry up your breast milk supply in a matter of days.
2. Try cabbage leaves
Green cabbage leaves have been shown to be effective to dry up breast milk for most mothers. Simply place a few cabbage leaves in your bra and change them out every few hours.
3. Drink sage tea
Sage is a herb that has long been used to dry up breast milk. You can make a sage tea by boiling a few sage leaves in water and drinking it twice a day.
4. Wear a super supportive bra
A super supportive bra can help to decrease the amount of milk your body produces. Make sure the bra is tight and fits well so that it doesn’t allow any milk to leak out.
5. Wean your baby off the breast
If you are ready to wean your baby, start by slowly decreasing the number of times per day that they nurse. Eventually, you will be able to stop breastfeeding altogether without any problems.
6. Gradually decrease the amount you pump
If you are pumping breast milk for your baby, gradually decrease the amount you pump until you are no longer producing any milk.
7. Utilize heat and vibration
Applying heat and vibration to your breasts can help relieve some pain while you suppress lactation. You can use a warm compress or take a hot shower. You can also try using a vibrating massager on your breasts for a few minutes each day.
8. Have perseverance
It’s not always an easy process to dry up breast milk. It takes time and perseverance to successfully dry up your supply without getting mastitis.
9. Drink No More Milk Tea
There are lots of herbal teas that can help dry up your milk but this is a big-time favorite for most breastfeeding moms.
10. Talk to your doctor or lactation consultant
If you are having difficulty with stopping breast milk production or experiencing any pain or discomfort, be sure to talk to your doctor or lactation consultant. They can offer additional tips and advice on how to successfully dry up your milk supply without getting mastitis.
Following these tips will help you dry up your milk supply without getting mastitis. Remember to be patient and Persevere, and you will be successful!
Don’t fully empty the breast
Since your milk supply is on a demand and supply basis, if you fully empty your breast it is telling your body to make more milk.
Empty most of your breast so you don’t get blocked milk ducts but slowly decrease the amount so the demand becomes less and less.
Related: Weaning from the Pump
Ways to relieve engorgement
Engorgement can be a tough hurdle to overcome when trying to dry up your milk supply. Here are a few tips to help relieve engorgement:
1. Apply cold compresses
Applying cold compresses can help to reduce swelling and inflammation in the breasts.
2. Use a breast pump
If you are experiencing severe engorgement, using a breast pump may be necessary to help relieve some of the pressure.
3. Take ibuprofen
If you are experiencing pain as a result of engorgement, taking ibuprofen can help to provide relief.
4. Drink plenty of fluids
Drinking plenty of fluids will help to keep your body hydrated and may help to relieve engorgement.
5. Get plenty of rest
Rest is important when you are trying to dry up your milk supply. Be sure to get plenty of rest so that your body can heal and recover.
6. Take hot showers
Hot showers are great to relieve pain when it comes to dealing with engorgement.
Drying up your milk supply is not always an easy process, but it is possible to do it without getting mastitis. Follow these tips and talk to your doctor if you are having any difficulty. With perseverance, you will be successful!
Related: 10 Tips for Managing Breast Engorgement
Signs of your milk drying up
Sometimes you may think your milk supply is decreasing but in actuality, it could be just leveling out or your baby is going through a growth spurt.
Here are a few signs that your milk supply is actually drying up:
1. Your breasts feel less full and softer than usual
2. Your baby is nursing less frequently
3. Your baby is not gaining weight as they should be or is even losing weight
4. You are producing less milk when you pump
5. You have to express milk for a longer period of time to get the same amount of milk
6. Your baby isn’t soiling enough diapers in a day.
If you are experiencing any of these signs, it is likely that your milk supply is drying up and you should take measures to dry up your milk supply. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
Related: Signs your Milk Supply is Decreasing
Other reasons you could think your milk supply is decreasing
Here are a few reasons that make you think your milk supply is decreasing but actually is something else.
- Your baby is going through a growth spurt. When your baby is going through a growth spurt, they will cluster feed which means they will feed for longer times and more often. This doesn’t mean that your milk supply is decreasing, your baby is just telling your body to make more. Just be patient and know your body will do what it is supposed to do and will give what your baby needs in time.
- You started your period. Your supply can drop while you are on your period but it is only for a short time. If you are concerned about the drop. Focus on breastfeeding often, taking supplements, and drinking plenty of fluids.
- Your supply could just be leveling out. Early in your breastfeeding journey, your body has no idea how much breast milk you need to make. After the first 3 months, it will start to level out. If you are tracking the amount you pump and you are used to seeing increasing numbers but are no longer, this could just mean your body has figured out how much your baby needs. If your baby has all the signs of getting enough milk, then you are fine!
Related: When and How to Stop Breastfeeding
Best way to dry up breast milk
Slow and steady is the way to go when it comes to weaning. Decrease the amount of time you are nursing or pumping and increase the amount of time you to in between nursing or pumping sessions.
Daytime feeds can be easier to wean since you can distract them with other things to do but nighttime can be harder. Just do what feels right to you. You can have your partner snuggle them in bed so they won’t be tempted to nurse or you can give them a bottle if that helps.
Drying up cold turkey
If you need to dry up your breast milk fast there are some things that you can do.
- Take ibuprofen every 6 hours to relieve the pain for a few days.
- Taking sudafed for 4-7 days
- Place cold and crushed cabbage leaves in your bra every few hours or use Cabo Cream which has cabbage leaf extract.
- Use a cold compress to help with the pain and swelling.
- Have breast pads to help with the leaking.
- Hand express if needed for some relief.
How long does it take for breast milk to dry up?
Once you have stopped breastfeeding and pumping. It can still take some time for your body to adjust but expect it to take a little over a week for it to stop producing breast milk.
Some breastfeeding mothers can still express a few drops a few weeks or even a month after they wean.
Related: Can Milk Come Back After Drying Up?
What prescription Anti-Lactation drugs are available?
If all else fails and you can talk to your doctor to get professional medical advice on the weaning process and using prescription drugs.
Dostinex
This prescription helps with lactation suppression and is more for when you are dealing with a breast milk oversupply. It does not completely stop your production but it is more to help decrease milk supply.
Parlodel
This medication can prevent and suppress milk production however the side effects can be more severe than the Dostinex medication. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you are considering this.
Final thoughts
Drying up your milk supply can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be painful. Here are some top tips on how to do it safely and without getting mastitis. If you are having trouble weaning due to pain, speak with your doctor about prescription medications that can help.
Be sure to read 15 Ways on How to Unclog a Milk Duct and Best Organic Formula for Breastfed Babies
