How to Dry Up Breast Milk Supply When You Stop Breastfeeding

Breast engorgement can feel like boulders!

Drying up a milk supply in a mother who has stopped breastfeeding, or at birth who did not breastfeed, can be very painful. Thankfully, it's over in a few days after stopping breastfeeding. Follow these tips to relieve the pain and speed the drying up of your milk supply after stopping breastfeeding.

Instructions

1. As soon as you have stopped breastfeeding, place a leaf or two of raw cabbage inside your bra. Put on a tight fitting sports bra over this, and do not touch the breast. Any stimulation could increase the production of breast milk, which would prolong the drying up process. Leave this cabbage sports bra on round the clock, only removing to shower. You will be doing this for about three days after you stop breastfeeding.

2. Start taking ibuprofin within a few hours of stopping breastfeeding to prevent the pain of breast engorgement while your milk supply dries up. For about three days, you should take a regular dose of ibuprofin every six hours or so, or as needed. Should the ibuprofin not be enough, an ice pack over the breasts can help with the pain of milk drying up.

3. If you're having a lot of pain and / or milk leaking, take a cold medicine that has a decongestant in it. This will dry up your milk supply very quickly, eliminating the painful engorgement that often accompanies stopping breastfeeding. Keep reminding yourself it's only a few days, but try to keep your mind on other things and before you know it the whole process will be over!