A friend of mine used a product as she was not breastfeeding to "push" the breasts down to aide in drying up the milk-or something along those lines. She cannot recall what it was, if anyone has insight into this and where it might be purchased. Due to medical issues i will not be able to breastfeed.
To All: I want to thank you for replies and information/suggestions. I think i am going to go with the cabbage leaves/sports bra; seems the less painful& more economical way to go. Again thank you all moms :)
On top of the cabbage leaves you can wear sports bras and they help reduce production. They tend to be tighter and whenever I wear them to workout I tend to produce less milk. Good luck and hang in there! You're almost there. :)
Binding your breasts is not recommended as it can lead to mastitis (infection). Talk to your midwife or OB-GYN about alternatives for drying your supply. Depending on your medical reason, you would be surprised about how many drugs are considered compatible with breastfeeding. The hormonal release during breastfeeding can provide a calming effect to a new mom. Good luck...you will do great!
My sister in law used cabbage leaves and they dried up very quickly.
Hi T.,
I was speaking with a friend of mine about this very issue and she said that the doctor prescribed something to her, to help dry up her milk supply. In addition, she wrapped her chest tightly with bandages (like you would for broken ribs, only higher up) to get her breasts to tighten up so that they would be higher and not hanging low and droopy...
aaaah, the things we have to do as mothers!! hehe
a old fashion method is to use a pillow case tied around the chese area and pined with safty pins is not confortable but it works. been there.
According to your signature, you have not yet delivered. Maybe I have that wrong. If this is the case, if you don't breast feed, your milk will dry up on its own and you shouldn't have any engorgement issues. If I am mistaken, it is true, cabbage leaves will do the trick. Sounds crazy but it is something many lactation consulants will have you do if you are having engorgement problems. Lastly, Sudafed is a big no-no for breastfeeding moms. It's safe for babies but will dry you up in a matter of days. I am still nursing my 18 month old and just recently had a severe cold. I took Sudafed (because desperate to breathe at night), even though I knew it would dry up my milk. I took it 3 nights in a row (only one pill a day). It has most definitely hurt my supply; so badly that my daughter is losing interest. Not sure if it is safe with the meds you are taking but definitely talk to your OB about the situation.
Congrats on baby #1!
I would check with your OB. They will be able to help you with this. I took it too, but it was prescribed by OB.
Crazy as it sounds, Cabbage Leaves worked like magic for me too.
Cabo cream can be found at some pharmacies. I've got some and have quit breastfeeding. I'd be happy to send it to you if you want to forward me your address.
Congrats on your baby!
I did not breastfeed. In my lamaze classes and in the literature that I recieved from the hospital I was told to use cabage leaves stuffed inside a very tight fitting sportsbra. (it is also recomended for mom's that get over engorged and need some relief to be able to then feed). If you are not breast feeding, use the whole leaves (cold from refridgeration) and cover the entire breast (2 to 3 leaves) then put on a sports bra that fits very tight, change the leaves after about 3-4 hours and continue for about 3 days (or until you are out of cabbage). Continue to wear tight sports bras and DO NOT massage the breat at any point, not even to soap up in the shower, do not stimulate the milk production, and do not pinch the nipple to check for milk. All that will do is encourage production. Good luck!!!
I had to stop because my daughter has Galactosemia which makes breast milk deadly. Since I had already begun I became FULLY engorged. I was ready though I took sudafed and Benadryl every 4 hours. I also wore a good fitting sports bra and used cold cabbage leaves. I took sage(the spice) 3 times a day 1/4 teaspoonful wrapped in a small piece of white bread. I wrapped it in the bread in order to avoid the taste. I was cleared up totally within 2 days. Also 3 times a day I applied ice packs(blue ice) for about 15 minutes to each breast! It worked much better than my first time when I had to dry it up when I went back to work! Good luck and CONGRATS! FYI the medication they used to prescribe has been outlawed....killed a bunch of moms.
Hi T..
Congratulations! I bet you're looking forward to holding that little one! Breastfeeding didn't work out for me either. As for a specific product, I don't have a clue... I wore a tight sports bra with underwires. I didn't have the pain that some of my friends were describing and I was "dried up" in about a week maybe 2. Some of my friends used an ace bandage and wrapped themselves really tight. Your best bet would be to ask your lactation nurse. I'm sure they've seen it all and have the best solutions. Just remember, if you have pain, consult your OB/GYN immediately as mastitis can be dangerous.
I just wanted to tell you that I know it sounds weird but the cabbage leaves really do work! I breastfed my youngest 2 for over a year each, and I would get plugged ducts often. It was horribly painful--I developed mastitis b/c of it with my youngest. When I finally heard about using cabbage leaves, I was desperate! I would take a leaf and just apply it to the sore, hard spot where the duct was blocked. I would gently massage it with the leaf for a few minutes every time I breastfed. Voila! The blockage would dissolve after a few feedings with the cabbage leaf. Talk to the nurse or lactation consultant after you have the baby, too--I'm sure they have some good ideas--I believe there is even a medication they can prescribe for you if you don't like the cabbage idea. Good luck!
The best thing to dry up milk is to use cold fresh cabbage leaves. You put a large leaf on each breast and hold it there with your bra. There is a chemical in cabbage that deters milk production and the cold will help as well. Change them once they become warm. Also avoid warm showers until you are not longer engorged.
Lisa
Many mommmys bind themselves! I DONT RECOMMEND IT! It hurts! What worked for me was i took plain ole cabbage leaf and put it in my bra! I changed it several times and took a hot shower at the end of the day! Worked well. I got milk fever with my oldest son! please dont bind yourself!
