The length of time it takes for breast milk to dry up after weaning a baby varies from woman to woman. For some women who have nursed regularly for a long period of time, this process takes weeks or even months.
For other women who have nursed only sporadically, it takes only a few days. Breast milk is created on the basis of demand and supply. The more frequently you nurse your baby, the more milk your body produces.
This process works in reverse as well: The less frequently you nurse your baby, the less milk your body produces. If you stop nursing at a time when your body is used to producing copious amounts of milk on a routine basis, such as with a young baby who nurses eight to 12 times a day or a baby going through a growth spurt, it takes your body a longer period of time to decrease and ultimately stop producing milk.
If you stop nursing at a time when your body isn't producing a lot of breast milk, such as with an older infant or toddler, your body adjusts more quickly.
The ultimate time line depends on your body; there is no one-size-fits-all time line for letting your milk dry up. Weaning is the process of slowly -- and safely -- decreasing your milk supply.
This can happen naturally over time -- as when an older baby begins eating solid food and needs less breast milk -- or it can happen artificially, when the mother purposefully starts decreasing the amount of milk her body produces. This gradual process serves two functions. Some moms have medical reasons for weaning off breastfeeding sooner than six months or a year. The process of stopping breastfeeding is referred to as weaning. Ideally, the preferred way to wean baby without pain is to do it slowly.
Besides cutting back on a feeding every three days or so, you can also shave a few minutes off of each feeding. During this new stage, you may want to pick up a supportive bra to prevent putting any additional pressure on your already sensitive breasts. You may also feel emotional at this time. Fluctuating hormones are, once again, partially to blame. Breastfeeding establishes a special connection between you and baby, and it can be hard to close that chapter.
Show yourself kindness through this transition: continue to nourish your body with healthy food, get rest and share your feelings with a loved one or professional. Your schedule may free up just a wee bit in the coming weeks as you no longer need to breastfeed or pump regularly—take advantage by trying a new hobby or enjoying some much-needed me-time.
When weaning, it also helps to distract your child during their typical feeding time. Fortunately, a few tried-and-true weaning strategies can help reduce discomfort: You can reduce the pressure and pain by using a breast pump or your hands to express a small amount of milk. Ice-cold cabbage leaves or ice packs are an old weaning standby for relieving the pain of engorgement—just put them inside your bra to reduce discomfort.
Some lactation experts believe that using them may also help reduce how long it takes for your breast milk to dry up. You can also take pain relievers like ibuprofen Advil or Motrin to help reduce weaning-related swelling and pain, and antihistamines or birth control pills to decrease your milk supply. Keep in mind too that breastfeeding is about more than just food for baby. They may miss that closeness with you once weaning begins, so you may need to set aside a little extra snuggle time to compensate.
You can also try offering breastfeeding more frequently during the afternoon and early evening hours, says Rachel Borton , director of the Family Nurse Practitioner program at Bradley University. As for when your milk supply will slow and eventually stop after weaning, several factors come into play.
If you do continue to produce significant amounts of milk weeks after weaning baby, you might be experiencing a hormonal issue. If you have symptoms of mastitis like fever, body aches, pain or redness of your breasts, be sure to call your doctor right away.
When you pump, your body takes it as a cue to make more milk and replace what was used. By slowing down or stopping pumping , you are sending a message to your body to make less milk. Try expressing just enough to relieve your discomfort and then stopping. Massaging your breasts may bring some immediate pain relief, but it also signals your body to produce milk. When your body receives stimulation similar to that of your baby breastfeeding, it responds by producing even more milk.
Think about it like brakes on a car. You need to ease into pressing your foot down on the brakes, not slam it! Going too fast can increase pain for you and frustration for your baby. If you were trying to drink lots of extra water while breastfeeding, you may think it makes sense to cut back on water when you are ready to wean.
If your baby is getting their first tooth or about to start daycare, this may not be the best time for weaning if you can avoid it. Taking one big change at a time is often the best approach to babies- they need time to adapt, just like us.
Weaning off of breastfeeding is easier said than done—it can be uncomfortable and unpredictable. Need a good read while you feed? Keep in the loop with the top pieces from the Milk Drunk team.
The content on this site is for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Discuss any health or feeding concerns with your infant's pediatrician. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay it based on the content on this page.
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