How to stop breast feeding?

My lactation consultant in the United States said that if you want to dry up your milk supply all you need to do is take a cold medicine with any decongestant in it. It will dry up your milk supply quickly. Of course, you should be done breastfeeding your baby at the point when you start using the medicine so that your baby won't be taking in any of the medicine.

So, I think that your idea of reducing the amount and times that you pump breast milk is the first step--meanwhile getting your baby established on using a bottle/formula. Then pick a date that you won't be using your breastmilk to feed the baby after and on that day start taking a cold medicine with a decongestant in it. You can still pump breast milk to relieve pressure if needed.

Some of what I've read recommends taking ibuprofin for any pain or swelling associated with not expressing milk and wearing tight sports bras to provide counter pressure. You can also put cabbage leaves in your refrigerator and apply them to your breasts--this is a home remedy for engorgement.

I stopped pumping and breastfeeding my son "cold turkey" when he was about 6 months old. I just said one day, "I'm done." I don't remember any particular problems with engorgment--but that might be because my breasts were always itchy, sore and miserable the entire 6 months I breastfed so any new discomfort probably went unnoticed. I finally found relief when I stopped breastfeeding. However, my son was born over 3 years ago and I still had milk leaking from my breasts even before I got pregnant with the baby I'm carrying now. So, even though your milk "dries up" sometimes your body still produces milk--for up to years afterward. I think this is pretty common.

Hope everything goes well.
 
@ Thanka2

Thank you very much for your tip. The cold medicine is a good one. Hope the braxton kicks will be over for you soon. Good luck with the delivery.
 
I was pump feeding for a few months after I went back to work, and started weaning when bub was 6 months.

My lactation consultant Mrs Chee advised me to drop an ounce with each pump session, eg if you normally pump 4oz on one breast in the morning, try dropping it down to 3, and see how that feels. Normally it will take a couple of weeks to wean though. Eventually I could also stretch the times between pumping sessions, and dropped down to 3 a day, then 2 a day, then 1, then once every 2 days etc. I weaned successfully over 3 weeks I think, and my periods came right back.

Mrs Chee also advised eating pate, black beans, and pigeons to help with the weaning.
 
@ Macaron

Thanks for your tips. I knew about black beans and pigeon. What is pate though?
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What is pate though?

Ground up goose liver, traditionally but can be made with other types of liver as well. Pigeon? I always tease my husband when he eats that that he's eating a "flying rat"--some of the greasiest meat I've ever seen in my life.
 
@ Thanka2

Thank you very much for your tip. The cold medicine is a good one. Hope the braxton kicks will be over for you soon. Good luck with the delivery.

No probs. Braxton Hicks keep going at it and keep getting stronger. But, I'm hoping the rumors are true that it's better to have more and have stronger ones because it warms up your uterus and gets your cervix ready for birth. Apparently, midwives say that the more you have and the stronger they are the better chance you have of a faster labor. And I'm all about having a fast labor (43 hours with my last one start-to-finish with no pain meds)! Thanks and I hope that you find a suitable way to go off of breastfeeding soon. :)
 
To those who gave me advices, I'm now stucked again. I cut down the number of pumps gradually to 2 times a day, then go cold turkey last Friday. The first night was tough but it gets better. The problem now is my breast is full of hard lumps, I massage, put warm towel, all doesn't work. Doesn't leak alot but sometimes have kind of prickling pain. Anyone have this kind of experience? How long will my breast back to normal again?
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hi i need help i want to stop breast feeding my baby he is now 1 year 10 months but he does not like bottle feed now i don't know what to do plz help me out thanx!
 

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