Sometimes it happens that various reasons - most often of a medical nature - cause a woman to stop breastfeeding. In most cases, the doctor insists on the emergency completion of feeding. But a nursing mother is usually not mentally ready for this, so depression and confusion is the most common reaction. It is possible to drastically reduce or completely stop lactation using several methods.
Instructions
Step 1
Remember, the safest thing is to gradually reduce lactation. It takes about 2-3 weeks for milk production to stop completely. Minimize the number of times the baby lays on the breast (the less often the baby stimulates the nipple, the less milk is produced). In the beginning, most often 2-4 days after weaning, the breasts may become full, sore, and hot. Your goal during this time is to relieve discomfort. Be gentle with your breasts and wear well-supportive, tight, but not squeezing underwear. Only use your hands or a breast pump until you feel relieved. Use a wrap or cold compresses (cabbage leaves or cheesecloth with whey).
Step 2
Take infusions of mint and sage 1-2 glasses a day. It is also possible to take diuretics (bearberry, lingonberry leaf, etc.).
Step 3
Drag your chest. Indeed, in order to reduce the amount of breast milk, it is necessary to reduce blood flow to the mammary glands. To do this, each time after feeding or pumping, pull the breast, i.e. press it moderately hard against the ribs. Use elastic bandages or a T-shirt made of very dense and low stretch material. Drag only the empty chest. And remember: today experts have come to the conclusion that this method of stopping lactation is accompanied by the highest percentage of mastitis. Therefore, there is little benefit from this method, and the risk of complications is very high.
Step 4
Drink more. Oddly enough, studies have shown that milk production decreases in those women who drink more than 2.5 liters of fluid per day. But remember, drink should be cool, as warm and hot drinks only stimulate the flow of milk.
Step 5
Try to lower and then stop your breast milk production with medication. But remember that interrupting lactation in this way is the most extreme option. And it should only be used when an abrupt cessation of breastfeeding is really needed. Please note that these drugs have many serious side effects (vomiting, nausea, dizziness, headache, fatigue, and even depression). And it also happens that the pills have a prolonged effect and complicate lactation with the next child, so only a doctor can prescribe medications and their dosage.
