How to get rid of breast milk after weaning
Women seek to know how to get rid of breast milk after weaning, and in this article we will learn about some methods that help with this, and other information needed to dry up breast milk.
How to get rid of breast milk after weaning
There are some treatments and practices that can be tried at home, which helps to get rid of breast milk, and these methods include:
1. Stop breastfeeding
Stopping breastfeeding is one of the main steps in getting rid of breast milk, which automatically prompts the body to stop producing milk, and this can be applied through:
- Wear supportive bras.
- stop breastfeeding.
- Use ice packs to relieve mastitis.
- Pouring milk from time to time to relieve breast engorgement.
Herbs to dry up milk some weaning
Consuming herbs in different ways, such as drinking herbal teas or including them in the diet, or taking herbal supplements, helps dry up breast milk. Examples of these herbs include:
1. Sage herb
Some women, based on their personal experiences, suggest drinking sage herb tea, which they believe can dry up milk, although there are no scientific studies confirming this. Excessive consumption of this tea leads to lowering blood sugar, and symptoms such as dizziness and nausea, Therefore, when taking this tea, it must be taken according to the instructions on the box, and stop taking it if the symptoms we mentioned appear.
2. Jasmine tea
Eating jasmine tea may help reduce the hormone prolactin or the milk hormone, but there are no scientific studies confirming the safety of taking this tea, and it is preferable to take it with other herbs such as sage.
3. Peppermint oil
Putting peppermint oil directly on the breast may help reduce milk secretion and reduce mastitis, with caution when applying it because it is a toxic oil, so care must be taken when using it if you do not stop breastfeeding completely.
4. Parsley
Eating parsley may help reduce the hormone prolactin.
Milk drying pills
There are some medications that a specialist doctor may prescribe, to get rid of breast milk, but they are not specifically intended for this purpose, including:
1. Antiprolactin drugs
Some anti-prolactin drugs help reduce the secretion of milk after childbirth, but there is no scientific research confirming the effectiveness of using these drugs when weaning, and they should only be taken after consulting a doctor.
2. Birth control pills
Taking birth control pills and estrogen pills when you are not planning to become pregnant, helps reduce the secretion of breast milk, and it is cautions to take them without consulting the doctor.
3. Decongestants
Decongestants help reduce the secretion of milk, and because decongestants are excreted in breast milk, they should not be taken until completely stopped breastfeeding, and under the care of a doctor.
How do I dry up the milk after weaning while I’m pregnant?
When pregnant during breastfeeding, the amount and taste of breast milk may change, and the woman will notice a decrease in milk secretion between the fourth and fifth months during pregnancy, and because this issue differs from one woman to another, it is necessary to refer to the doctor who monitors the case for advice on this matter.
How long does milk stay in the breast after weaning?
The duration of milk remaining in the breast after weaning varies from one woman to another according to the method you use to dry the milk, and according to the amount of breast milk secretion. Despite attempts to dry it, you must consult a doctor.
When should you visit a specialist?
When trying to get rid of breast milk after weaning, women may face some problems that require a visit to the specialist, including:
1. Blockage of the milk ducts
The blockage of the milk ducts is a common problem that occurs when weaning, which is accompanied by symptoms such as pain and heat in the breast, which can be treated by gently massaging the affected area, or using heat or cold as the doctor decides.
2. Breast infection
Mastitis infection occurs as a result of blockage of the milk ducts, and this infection is accompanied by some symptoms, such as redness, swelling and heat.
3. Other symptoms
There are some other symptoms that require consulting a doctor, such as breast milk not drying after two weeks of trying to dry up the milk, feeling severe depression, anxiety and thoughts of self-harm, or the appearance of side effects of some medications that reduce milk secretion such as rash, dizziness, vomiting and nausea.
After learning how to get rid of breast milk after weaning, the period of draining milk in the breast differs from one woman to another, and in the event that there is no lack of milk secretion after these attempts, it is necessary to consult a doctor.