Patient education: Stopping lactation after giving birth (The Basics)

What is lactation? — Lactation is when the breasts make milk.

After giving birth, your body will start to make breast milk. At first, it will be a small amount of yellowish milk, called "colostrum." After a few days, your body will start making more breast milk. If you breastfeed (or use a breast pump), your body will make even more milk.

If you do not breastfeed or pump to remove milk from your breasts, your body will stop making milk. But this can take a few weeks.

The following information is for people who will not be breastfeeding for any reason.

How can I care for myself? — To help your body stop making milk:

●Do not pump or use your hands to let milk out.

●Wear a supportive bra that fits well but is not too tight. You might want to wear a bra while sleeping, too.

●Avoid stimulating your breasts or nipples.

Your breasts might feel painful and swollen until they stop making milk. To help with this, you can:

●Use a cold pack, bag of ice, or bag of frozen vegetables on your breasts. You can do this every 1 to 2 hours, for 15 minutes each time. Put a thin towel between the ice (or other cold object) and your skin.

●Take a pain-relieving medicine, such as acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin).

●Take a warm shower to help with pain. (The warmth might cause some milk to leak from your breasts.)

If your breasts leak, you can use breast pads to absorb the milk. It is best to use pads made of cotton. Change the pads as soon as they are damp to avoid infection.

Wash your hands before touching your breasts.

Can I take medicines to stop lactation? — You might have heard of medicines that stop lactation. These were given in the past, but doctors do not recommend them anymore. This is because they can cause serious side effects. Letting lactation stop on its own is safest.

When should I call the doctor? — Call your doctor or nurse for advice if you have:

●A hard, red, or swollen area of the breast

●Flu-like symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, chills, or feeling very tired

●Red streaks leading from your breast to your armpit

●Blood leaking from the nipples

If you are feeling anxious or depressed, talk to your doctor or nurse right away. They can get you help and support.

More on this topic

Patient education: Deciding to breastfeed (The Basics)
Patient education: Common breastfeeding problems (The Basics)
Patient education: Mastitis (The Basics)
Patient education: Stillbirth (The Basics)
Patient education: Weaning from breastfeeding (The Basics)

Patient education: Common breastfeeding problems (Beyond the Basics)