There are several reasons why you will want to stop breastfeeding and pumping. This includes: weaning the baby, not enough time to keep up with the nursing sessions, Illness, On medications, Loss of the baby or adoption, and Miscarriage. Whatever the reasons you have to stop breastfeeding and pumping, it is a worthy cause. But it needs to be done with patience and care.
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Sudden weaning from the breasts can lead to problems like plugged ducts, mastitis and engorgement. These are painful situations you don’t want to experience. Coupled with the fact that it may give your baby anxiety. So, the trick is to first decrease the milk supply and start the weaning process.
In this article, you will learn about ways you can stop breastfeeding and pumping without pain.
1. Pump less
The first thing you need to do when thinking of how to stop breastfeeding and pumping without pains is to pump less milk. The more milk you pump, the more milk the body will produce. When you pump less, the body responds by producing less milk too. This method also helps to prevent clogged ducts or mastitis as you reduce the milk supply. There are different ways you can do it, such as:
a. Pump for less time in each pumping session. For example, if you use to pump for 30 minutes, you can reduce it to 15 minutes, 10 minutes and 5 minutes until you finally stop.
b. Reduce the amount of milk you pump. For example, if you get 8oz in one pumping session, you can pump 6oz and stop. Gradually, reduce it daily.
Your body will start adjusting to produce less milk as you reduce the time spent in pumping and the amount of breast milk pumped. Gradually you can stop pumping.
2. Use cabbage leaves
Using cabbage leaves is one of the best and most natural ways to how to stop breastfeeding and pumping without pains. Apart from that, cabbage leaves can also help solve other breastfeeding issues such as engorgement, mastitis, and weaning. Although, there are few pieces of research data done on the use of cabbage to decrease milk supply, reports from mothers show that it is helpful.
How does cabbage decrease milk supply?
The Theory showed that the amino acids contained in cabbage help to open up capillaries and to improve blood flow. Using the cabbage leaves on the breast for long helps to decrease milk supply.
How do you use cabbage leaves to decrease milk supply?
1. Get a big green leafy cabbage and put it in the refrigerator. When it is chilled, remove it and peel off the outer layers and throw them out.
2. Remove two inner leaves and put the remaining cabbage back into the refrigerator, so you can have it cold the next time you want to use it.
3. Rinse the two leaves you removed from the cabbage with water to remove dirt and pesticides. Pat dry with a clean towel.
4. Place each of the clean cold cabbage leave on your two breasts. Don’t allow the leaves to touch your nipples. You can wear a firm bra to keep them in place.
5. Leave the cabbage leaves on your breasts for about 20 minutes. Since you want to stop breastfeeding, leave the leaves on your breasts until they wilt for at least 5-7 times daily. You can even sleep with it.
Continuous use of cabbage leaves helps to stop the flow of milk fast. Ensure you use new cabbage leaves each time you want to do it. Don’t use cabbage leaves if you are allergic to cabbage or sulfa. If you have broken skin, ensure you avoid that part.
If you find it difficult to use the cabbage leaves on your breast, there is a cream you can use that has all the qualities of cabbage, but a better smell and it is convenient too. It is called Cabocreme. That is the second way to stop breastfeeding and pumping without pains.
3. Use Cabocreme
Cabocreme is a great alternative to cabbage leaves. It does not smell like cabbage and it is cleaner and more convenient. It helps to gradually decrease milk supply and stop the flow of milk. It provides fast relief of discomfort while weaning. It has a light fresh fragrance and all its active ingredients are natural. To make it work fast, apply it every 3-4 hours every day.
4. Use a comfortable nursing bra
A comfortable nursing bra will provide the support needed to stop breastfeeding and pumping without pains. During this time, your breast will be hard and feel like rocks. You need a bra that will help you to feel more comfortable. Look for bras that are made of cotton, soft and with a wide band.
5. Sage tea
Sage tea is a good herb that can help you to stop breastfeeding and pumping without pains. It produces an estrogen effect on moms, helping to decrease breast milk supply. You can consume it in different ways. You can add it to your tea and drink. Use the dried sage to make tea and ingest it directly. To make a sage tea, add one teaspoon of dried sage in a cup of boiling water and let it simmer for 15 minutes and drink 1 cup for 2 – 6 times a day. You can also add it to other foods you eat.
6. No more milk tea
No more milk tea is made from organic herbs to help decrease and stop breast milk production. It is produced by a nurse and herbalist with herbs including sage, peppermint, parsley, and tangy hibiscus flower. It is one of the fastest ways to decrease breast milk supply and make weaning a positive experience. A review on Amazon says it decreases it in a week and a half when used with cabbage leaves. You can drink it in different ways. You can make a large batch and drink it as an iced tea. Drink 2-4 cups of tea per day.
7. Use Sudafed
A study carried out on lactating women showed that a dose of Sudafed reduced milk supply over the next 24 hours by 24%. Be cautious of how you use Sudafed to stop breastfeeding and pumping. It is very effective for winning and it works fast too. Otherwise, use with caution if all you want to do is just to decrease and not to totally stop breast milk supply.
There you have it. 7 ways you can stop breastfeeding and pumping without pains. It is time to act. Choose the most suitable method you like and implement it.
