Lactation Suppression
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Lactation suppression is when you purposefully stop your milk production. Doing this can be emotional. Know you did your best for your baby.
Suggestions to stop your milk supply
Wear pads and a snug top
- Wear pads in your top to prevent staining your clothes. You may leak for a while.
- Don’t bind your breasts/chest tightly but wear a comfortably snug top.
- Sleep on your back to keep pressure off your breasts/chest.
Pump less and less often
- Pump only a few minutes to relieve discomfort but do not try for feeling “empty.” If you were pumping 2 ounces, then pump only 1 ounce.
- Keeping your breasts/chest as full as you can without too much discomfort will slow your supply faster than if you pump a lot.
- Pump less and less frequently, spreading out the time between pumps over the course of several days. The less you pump, the less you will produce. If you were pumping every 3 hours, start by pumping every 4 hours. When you can tolerate that without plugged ducts or extreme discomfort, then space your pumping to every 6 hours, then every 8 hours, 12 hours, etc.
Relieve discomfort
- A cold wet washcloth or an ice pack on your full breasts/chest can relieve the feeling of fullness.
- A warm shower may be comforting.
- Discomfort can often be relieved by hand expressing just a few drops.
Check your breasts/chest
- Check your breasts/chest often for lumps or signs of redness and follow steps above for relief.
- If these symptoms worsen and/or you have a fever, nausea, body aches or chills for longer than 24 hours, call your healthcare provider.
Emotional care
- Take care of and be gentle with yourself. Know that mood swings are common during this process.
- There are many reasons why you may need to stop your milk supply. Whatever the circumstances, you may feel a sense of loss, or you may feel angry because you worked so hard to build your supply. Whatever the feelings, it is important to acknowledge and talk about them.
- If you need help finding someone to talk to ask your primary care provider (PCP) for a referral.
Other suggestions
- Keep drinking liquids. Drinking less water does not help dry up your milk.
- If the above suggestions do not work, talk with your healthcare provider about herbal remedies (like sage and mint tea) and medicines to help dry your milk supply. Make sure you discuss possible side effects.
- Check with your healthcare provider before taking any type of medicine, vitamin, or supplement.
How long will it take to stop my milk?
- How long it takes to stop producing milk depends on many things including how much of a supply you had and how consistent you are with using the tips to stop. It can take several days to a week or so.
- At any time, please feel free to talk about your concerns with your healthcare provider, nurse, or lactation consultant.
Can I donate my extra milk?
- Some parents have milk they’d like to donate.
- If you would like more information on donation, contact a lactation consultant, or reach out to a milk bank to learn about the process.
- The Human Milk Banking Association of North America has a list of milk banks on their website – hmbana.org/find-a-milk-bank.
To Learn More
- Lactation Services
206-987-1420 - Ask your child’s healthcare provider
- seattlechildrens.org/patient-education
Free Interpreter Services
- In the hospital, ask your nurse.
- From outside the hospital, call the toll-free Family Interpreting Line, 1-866-583-1527. Tell the interpreter the name or extension you need.
