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10 Ways to Stop Breast Milk Production
When it comes to stoppage of breast milk production, natural weaning is the ideal way as it happens gradually. It also gives both the mother and the baby adequate time to emotionally, as well as physically, adjust to the change.
But sometimes, lactating mothers may be compelled to opt for sudden weaning due to certain reasons such as a medical condition, or in case of a tragic loss of their baby. Sudden weaning can lead to emotional and physical anguish in lactating moms like increased risk of developing mastitis, blocked ducts, along with a deep sense of loss and sadness.
Therefore, it may become necessary to come up with strategies to quickly and effectively stop breast milk production.
Reasons to Suppress Lactation
Suppression of lactation may become a consideration for nursing moms due to following reasons:
1. You Are Not Keen on Breastfeeding
You may not want to nurse your baby due to personal reasons. But, breastmilk is still being produced and getting accumulated. This can become a source of pain and discomfort.
2. You Wish to Wean the Baby Off Breastmilk
As the baby grows, you may wish to introduce the baby to formula food or solid foods. This will reduce the baby’s consumption of breast milk. As a result, breast milk may get accumulated and can cause considerable physical distress to the mother.
3. You Are Unable to Breastfeed the Baby
Sometimes you may develop certain medical conditions like mastitis (breast infection) or blocked ducts which can make breastfeeding a painful task. Certain treatments like chemotherapy may also leave mothers with no choice but to stop breastfeeding.
4. Milk Secretions Do Not Stop Even After the Baby Has Been Weaned Off Breastmilk
At times, breasts continue to discharge milk even after the baby has shifted from breast milk to formula or baby food. In such instances, you may choose to suppress lactation and avoid the resulting discomfort.
5. Baby Develops Lactose Intolerance
In some rare cases, your baby may be intolerant to lactose. This means that the baby is not able to digest the lactose present in your breastmilk and can suffer from stomach issues like bloating, diarrhoea, vomiting and nausea. You may then decide to discontinue breastfeeding and suppress lactation.
6. Unfortunate Incidence of Baby's Death
In the tragic case of loss of a baby after birth, during infancy, or in the case that the mother has put up her baby for adoption, she may go in for breast milk suppression.
How to Stop Breast Milk Production
Some of the ways to stop breast milk are listed below:
It is always desirable to wean off slowly. Sudden weaning may result in engorged and painful breasts or can trigger medical conditions like mastitis. You may like to start by substituting one or two feeds in a day and gradually progress to stopping fully. This is preferable as the body gets time to regulate the change and will eventually stop producing milk.
Be careful not to stimulate the nipples as this can start milk production. It is better to wear a firm, well-fitted bra than a tight bra. Breast pads may be used to soak up any excess milk discharge.
Refrain from pumping your milk often because your body may take it as a cue to produce more milk. In case you feel engorged, slowly hand pump to express milk sufficient enough to lessen your distress.
Taking mild painkillers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can prove useful in combating the pain and swelling. Please consult your doctor first before taking any medication. You can also discuss with your doctor regarding taking some prescribed drugs for suppressing milk supply.
Dehydration may prompt your body to increase milk production. You can stay hydrated to ensure that your milk supply is stable. It must be noted that studies have shown that increased water consumption does not increase the supply of milk.
You can try natural remedies to dry up breast milk like drinking sage tea. You can also use sage essence mixed with your favourite drink.
You can insert cabbage leaves inside your bra for half an hour. Cabbages are lined with amino acids which can improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation.
Taking Vitamin B6 may also aid in reducing the milk production as Vitamin B6 stops the release of plasma prolactin in the body, which is chiefly responsible for producing breast milk.
Your body supplies milk based on the much is expressed every day. You could try lowering the amount of milk expressed in a gradual manner.
How Much Time Does It take for Breast Milk to Dry Up?
Generally, it takes not more than a few weeks for breast milk to dry up. In some cases, it may take longer. The experience can vary slightly from person to person depending on factors like the age of the baby when he was weaned off, the amount of milk produced, how much milk is expressed, and nipple stimulation. But for most women, the worst is usually over within a few days.
How to Treat Blocked Ducts and Mastitis?
Mastitis is a form of breast infection which causes the breast tissue to inflame and become painful. When breasts become full, it may happen that a duct gets blocked due to which milk doesn’t clear up, and some part of it may enter the nearby tissue causing inflammation. The breast becomes sore, and the skin may turn red as well. The affected mom may experience flu-like symptoms such as aches and trembling. Some of the ways to treat blocked ducts and mastitis can be:
Make an effort to express milk so that breasts do not become overfull and further aggravate the situation.
For expressing milk, softly massage the breast and then gently stroke along the length of the duct line, gradually moving towards the nipples.
You can use a warm compress to the affected breast and then try to express milk.
While massaging the breast, you can provide support to your breast with the other hand. This can help in easing your discomfort. Using a massaging oil will ensure smooth strokes.
You can also try to hand pump your milk under a warm shower or while soaking in a bathtub filled with warm water.
Applying cold packs or cold cabbage leaves on the sore breast can prove helpful in relieving pain and reducing inflammation.
Seek medical treatment in case you develop fever, and the blockage doesn’t clear because untreated infectious mastitis can lead to a lactational breast abscess.
Other Things to Consider
If nothing is working and your breasts are still painful and sore, you may like to consider pumping out all your breast milk with the help of an electric breast pump. You can have a detailed discussion with your doctor before taking a decision.
Sometimes a mother has to stop breastfeeding due to some medical treatment like chemotherapy. In such a situation, the baby can still be provided with breastmilk if the mother so desires. In some tragic cases where a nursing mom loses her baby, she can offer her breast milk to help other babies. There are certain milk banks and non-profit organizations like Human Milk 4 Human Babies Global Network that supports breast milk donation and aim at sharing human milk on mom to mom basis. This can be a healing experience for nursing moms as they struggle to cope up with the loss of their baby or the feeling of guilt and sadness.
Notwithstanding your reason, it is important to prepare yourself emotionally for the advent of lactation suppression. Hormone levels are likely to fluctuate considerably as milk production will reduce. Mood swings can set in. Therefore, a good support system becomes crucial to maintain your psychological and physiological well-being.
Also Read: Breast Milk Storage: A How To Guide Read more
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Easy and Effective Morning Sickness Home Remedies
Pregnancy may be an exciting phase but the morning sickness that accompanies it is definitely not welcome. About 70%-80% of women experience nausea, vomiting and fatigue (common characteristics of morning sickness) during the first trimester. It generally starts by the sixth week of pregnancy and peaks around the eighth and ninth week. Your body produces the hormone human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) in large quantities when you are pregnant which causes nausea. This hormone gives nourishment to your baby until the placenta takes over. Only then does nausea subside to a large extent. By about 14 to 16 weeks, your morning sickness will see a considerable reduction. For the unfortunate few, it may last until their entire pregnancy. Being sick is definitely a miserable feeling, however, if your weight and other aspects are in check, there is no need to worry. In the meanwhile, read on to find out some natural and home remedies to help you rid yourself of morning sickness.
Natural Remedies for Morning Sickness
Feeling sick during pregnancy can be a miserable plight, and you will definitely feel that anything that helps you give some relief is worth a try. It is not possible to prevent morning sickness entirely as it is a normal and natural part of pregnancy. However, there are some home remedies and complementary measures that could give temporary relief. Ayurveda strongly believes that the balance of Vata, Pitta and Kapha Dosha is needed for a perfect state of health. Morning sickness occurs due to the aggravation of the Pitta Dosha. A few home remedies that Ayurveda prescribes are found in the food that we eat. Read on to learn some remedies to help you deal with nausea and vomiting.
1. Ginger
Nutrition experts swear by the effectiveness of ginger as one of the foods that fight nausea during pregnancy. Ginger juice stimulates the properties that soothe your stomach. A teaspoon of ginger juice helps reduce uneasiness. Alternatively, you could try ginger infused tea or ginger candies.
2. Mint
The peppermint flavour of the mint leaves is very refreshing and cooling and one of the best home remedies for pregnancy nausea. Simply smelling it or chewing a few leaves will help you get rid of the nauseous feeling.
3. Lemon Juice
A tangy juice of lemon sprinkled with a little salt and sugar is a great remedy for morning sickness. The sourness of the lemon helps to reduce the symptoms of nausea.
4. Coconut Water
Coconut Water is loaded with vitamins, minerals and fibre that are an effective remedy for morning sickness. A powerful Ayurveda remedy suggests that you add a teaspoon of lemon juice to coconut water and have it every fifteen minutes to soothe your stomach.
5. Rosewater and Milk
A few drops of rosewater in a glass of milk could do wonders to morning sickness. Add a drop of rose water to a glass of milk, boil the milk and drink the concoction once it becomes a little warm. Ayurveda also suggests taking a cup of this rose milk with a teaspoon of ghee at bedtime to rid of the Pitta Dosha and control morning sickness.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar has found its way into almost all remedies now. From health benefits to cleaning aids, the magical drink is infused with properties for every problem. A teaspoon of vinegar added to a glass of water will eliminate morning sickness.
7. Hydrate Yourself
May sound a little daunting, but drinking plenty of water will keep a check on your nausea. Although downing eight glasses of water may seem a monumental effort, try to see how you could consume more fluids. Eating food with a little extra salt may make you feel thirsty. You could also have ice cold drinks like slushes or smoothies if you like to avoid dehydration.
8. Track Food that Works for You
Women who deal with morning sickness may find themselves repelling foods that they initially loved and craving for something that never existed. Cereals, candies, crackers are some dry foods which help nauseated mothers to be. But it is entirely up to you and your body to determine which food suits you the most and then stick to it.
9. Eat Small Portions
Staying hungry for a long time could get your stomach juice to work overtime and trigger nausea. On the other hand, eating too much could tax your digestive system and make you feel queasy. The best way is to eat small portions and break your meals. Chalk out a meal plan. Eat a sufficiently large portion of breakfast and lunch and then have some tiny nibbles ready to munch in between. Stick to healthy options like salads, fruits, nuts or baked goods. Nibbling a little just after you wake up could keep nausea away.
10. Monitor Your Nausea Symptoms
Identify the times of the day when you tend to feel sick. Then track down the reason. It could be some smell that emanates from your neighbour’s kitchen or backyard. Once you have identified the trigger, take the appropriate steps to avoid the symptoms. For, eg:- if you feel the smell of your co-worker’s lunch makes you feel queasy, take a walk to make you feel better.
11. Be Vocal
You may not like many things when you are pregnant. Speak up and be honest about your feelings to those around you to help you relieve yourself of the symptoms of morning sickness For, e.g.: if you do not happen to like the smell of your spouse’s shaving gel, mention it to him. He could do with changing the brand for a couple of weeks until you are rid of your symptoms.
12. Take Time Off Work
Morning sickness generally hits hard during the first trimester. It is too early to tell people at work about your pregnancy, and you are pondering on how to deal with morning sickness. Just check your leave entitlement left for the year before you go off on maternity and try and take some time off work. Schedule a vacation or even a relaxed holiday at home when your morning sickness starts to peak.
13. Distraction
Distracting oneself from pain or any other uncomfortable scenario works wonders. Try to do something that will distract you from your symptoms. It could be anything- reading a book, Sudoku puzzle, a short walk, cartooning or even exercising. But of course, if you plan on doing exercise make sure you seek medical advice.
14. Survival Kit
Not always, will you find yourself near a bathroom or a store where you could buy some candy to control your nausea? Always carry a kit that comprises of a toothbrush, toothpaste, a bottle of mouthwash to help you freshen up after puking. Keep some mints handy along with a bag of crackers or pretzels to pop in when you feel your stomach becoming queasy.
15. Music
There are some applications which have been developed with music loaded with pulsations that help alter the balance of the fine, sensitive hearing mechanism of the inner ear. Headphones rather than earphones help to rebound these pulsations against the eardrum thereby distracting your mind and making you feel upbeat.
Morning sickness is something that affects one in every two women. While there is no quick-fix cure for it, there is a lot that can be done to alleviate the condition. The symptoms that begin within the fourth and eighth week of conception begin to fade after your first trimester. However, it is not uncommon to feel a little queasy during your entire pregnancy. You may find yourself repelled by some tastes and odour and even by food that you generally loved. Judge your situation by your own intuition and see if you need to seek medical advice.
Also Read: Doxinate Oral In Pregnancy Read more
Nikitha has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 9 months
36 mins ago
Q. i missed my periods on 5 but when I checked in the morning urine that is not showing positive but when I check now I can see faint line ... why this is happening
Nikitha
Mom of a 9 yr 5 m old boy
35 mins ago
A. hello the result it will not accurate and it may be better if you can check after a week or you can also contact your gynecologist and she will be able to guide you accordingly which will be better and also safe usually you can get an accurate result after 15 days from missed lmp date
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Mr. Bunny Sandwich
The Mr.Bunny sandwich is a healthy recipe that you and your child are going to love. It is a flexible recipe which can use yogurt or cream cheese. Use sweetened yogurt if your child won’t have his share. Cream cheese is rich in potassium and iron. Your kid and you can play around with veggies of your choice and create a background for Mr.Bunny to play in.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
10-15 Minutes
00 Minutes
Ingredient
1 cup cream cheese
2 olives
One red bell pepper
2 slices brown bread
Lettuce leaves
Salt and pepper to your taste
1 scallion stalk
Two cherry tomatoes
Method
Step 1
Toast a slice of bread and cut it out in a round shape to resemble the bunny’s head.
Step 2
Cut out two smaller pieces for the bunny’s ears and toast them too.
Step 3
In a bowl mix the cream cheese with slt and pepper and spread it out on the bunny’s head.
Step 4
Cut the bell peppers to look like the bunny’s bow tie, slice the scallions to look like the bunny’s whiskers.
Step 5
Place the olives,cherry tomatoes and lettuce in place. Cut out a cherry tomato for the nose and serve.
Nutritional Information
Calories
637 K cal
Proteins
16.8 g
Fats
20.9 g
Carbohydrates
109.2 g
Cholesterol
140 mg
Sodium
693 mg
Potassium
507 mg
*For frying, add approximately 10 grams of fat per serving at 9 Kcal/gm of fat. Read more
Mohammad amin has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
10 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts can i go for long trips with my 7 months old baby
Mohammad amin
Guardian of a 3 yr old boy
5 hours ago
A. if you are comfortable then go
Dr Sameer awadhiya has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 4 months
8 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts plz suggest me medicine for toothache
Dr Sameer awadhiya
Paediatrician
7 hours ago
A. A proper assessment is required here so regarding this it is vmore favourable to contact your local doctor and accordingly he will guide in a proper manner.
If any more queries you can tgake online consultation on the platform for a detailed discussion .
shilpi Bhandari has added a new answer
Mom of a 3 yr 5 m old child
7 hours ago
Q. 3.5 saal ki bacchi ko vomitab syrap kitni or kab den khane se phle ya khane ke bad??
shilpi Bhandari
Mom of 2 children
4 hours ago
A. hello dear u can give it before but if child is vomiting regularly then don't keep on giving medication like this u need to know the reason it might be infection so please consult with the doctor for that
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 9 months
3 hours ago
Q. i missed my periods 3 days ago today I checked then this result come. but when I checked yesterday afternoon the result is the second attachment . why this is happening I am confused 😕
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. you had to wait few days this can be delayed periods. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 9 months
3 hours ago
Q. i missed my periods on 5 my result is attached but when I checked in the yesterday afternoon it was little bit dark why this is happening and what to do
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
3 hours ago
A. at present it is negative please wait few more days. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
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