How to Dry Up Breast Milk Quickly

Relieve engorged breasts with cabbage leaves.

If you've just had a baby and aren't going to breastfeed, or if you're breasts are engorged with milk and you need some relief, help may be as close as the refrigerator or the produce section. Cabbage has been used to reduce swelling since the 1800s, and is also known for its antibiotic properties. When placed applied to the breasts, it can quickly provide relief from painfully enlarged breasts.

Things You'll Need

• Cabbage leaves
• Rolling pin

Instructions

1. Remove cabbage leaves from the head, trying to tear the leaves as little as possible.

2. Rinse the leaves with water and remove any excess dirt, and pat dry.

3. Refrigerate the leaves until they are cool.

4. Crush the veins of the cabbage leaves with a rolling pin or your hand, and then place the leaves into bra. Use enough leaves to completely cover your breasts.

5. Exchange cabbage leaves every 4 to 6 hours, for about 1 to 2 days, until engorgement has subsided, and your milk supply has dried up.

Tips & Warnings

• Reduce your milk production by reducing the number of times you breastfeed your baby. One researcher suggests eliminating one feeding every few days until your breast are noticeably less full of milk.

• The cabbage won't completely stop your milk supply, as long as you keep pumping or breastfeeding your child.

• If your skin becomes irritated from the cabbage or you break out into a rash or blisters, discontinue the cabbage remedy immediately.

References

• Lactation Consultant: Engorgement- The Cabbage Cure
• Lactation Consultant: Drying Up Breast milk
• BabyCenter: Is there anything I can do to help dry up my milk supply?