“I don’t want to breastfeed”: how to stop lactation?

It’s decided: to feed your child, you have chosen the bottle. For reasons that are up to you, you do not want to – or cannot – breastfeed. Be fully reassured: giving a bottle is also a moment of strong bond with baby. And nutritionally, no worries, he’ll be fine! It remains to settle the question of the flow of milk, which is physiological, and the comfort of your breasts. 

Is medication necessary to stop the flow of milk?

Only in very specific cases

This question has long been debate in the medical community. However, a clear trend has been confirmed for several years: the prescription of a treatment to stop the flow of milk is only done in extremely rare cases. A finding confirmed by Françoise Rameau, IBCLC lactation consultant for 7 years: “The scientific literature on the subject is now very clear: the prescription of a treatment must be done in very specific cases. For a long time, these drugs were found on mothers’ night tables, but those days are over. Without medical advice, no medication. There have been too many serious health issues such as neurological or heart complications. “Thus, bromocriptine (Parlodel® and Bromocriptine Zentiva®), long prescribed to stop the flow of milk, was banned for this use in 2013. The National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) had considered that the benefits / risks of these drugs was no longer favorable.

What drugs to take to stop the flow of milk today?

In 2021, the prescription of treatments and drugs that block lactation is therefore exclusively reserved for medical indications, usually after fetal death in utero or medical termination of pregnancy (IMG). “Dostinex is the most prescribed drug today”, specifies Françoise Rameau, who adds: “Above all, you need medical follow-up of course, but also psychological support, from motherhood, because these are often women in great distress. “

Is There A Natural Method For Stopping Breastmilk?

The less the breast is stimulated, the more lactation decreases

A word on the process of manufacturing breast milk first of all: after delivery, two hormones, oxytocin and prolactin, will kick in and start the production of milk and its flow to feed the baby. “However, the human brain is very well made, explains Françoise Rameau. If the mother’s breast is not stimulated, by suction (breastfeeding the baby), extraction (breast pump) or palpation, prolactin will not be released, and therefore the lactation process will not start. In other words, the less strain on the breast, the faster lactation stops, and the flow of milk is stopped. The milk contained in the mammary gland will then involute in the bloodstream, and it will return to its normal size. “And if we advise you, adds Françoise Rameau, to bandage your breasts or to squeeze it to make the milk involute, don’t do it, it is absolutely false. ” 

“I have started breastfeeding but I don’t want to continue”: how do I stop lactation?

We do not stop breastfeeding suddenly

“Lactation consultants are very often confronted with this kind of case,” explains Françoise Rameau. These mothers are too loose in nature after motherhood, without support. Often, stopping breastfeeding is done overnight, resulting in congestion problems, and therefore the appearance of mastitis (inflammation of the breast, editor’s note), or even abscess. However, the transition must always be smooth, we are talking about gradual weaning method. The mother should not stop giving milk to the baby overnight ”. 

How to wean the baby?

“Take the example of a mother who wishes to stop breastfeeding her baby after 15 days or 3 weeks,” explains Françoise Rameau. Weaning should always be done in stages. I advise mothers, to start weaning their child, to replace late afternoon breastfeeding with a bottle. This is the best time, because not only is it a part of the day when mum is tired, but it is also a time when they have a feeling of lack of milk. The next day, we reintroduce the same bottle at the same time. The mother’s body is registering while at this time, there will be no more solicitation of the breast. Baby weaning should be started as slowly as lactation begins. To the extent that, we therefore replace a feeding by a bottle, then two and so on… ”The mother’s lactation will adapt to these hours of non-solicitation of the breast, and little by little, the milk production will decrease. The body will then adapt, because every day at the same time, it will have understood that there is another solution to feed the baby.

How to avoid breast engorgement after childbirth? The tip of Françoise Rameau, IBCLC lactation consultant

In order to make the milk flow from the breast without stimulation of the breast (neither breastfeeding the baby, nor extraction by a breast pump) and thus avoid the risk of engorgement, a leaf of kale can be applied to the breast (remove the central rib), which is maintained with transparent film. Under the effect of heat and without the breast being solicited, the milk will then start to flow.

How to relieve the pain associated with the flow of milk?

To fight against the pain associated with the flow of milk the first days after the birth of your baby, it is possible to wear a suitable bra, alternate hot water (to make the milk flow) and water cold (to relieve pain) on the chest. You can also use alternative medicines, such as homeopathy, acupuncture, or herbal medicine. “Taking paracetamol (Doliprane, Efferalgan, etc.) or ibuprofen can also relieve pain and improve well-being,” explains Françoise Rameau.

 

* Department of Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics, January 2021 

3 Comments

  1. Paano po mawawala ung gatas ko 6months na po un baby ko hnd po ako nagpasuso sa baby ko..ano po dapat q gawin pra humito na ung gatas ko

  2. Pano po mawawala ung gatas sa breast ko tinigil ko ung pag papa Dede sa anak ko 1year and 1month sya nong ihinto ko sya na dumede saakin

  3. paano mapahinto ang gatas ng ina dhil sa namatay ang anak

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