How Long Does it Take for Milk to Dry Up?

Feeding infants breast milk gives them a healthy start, providing the nutrition and antibodies babies need to grow and stay healthy. It helps Mom and baby bond and is one of the best things you can do for your infant. So, you've been breastfeeding, and now you are ready to wean your child. Weaning a baby from breastfeeding is tough for both baby and Mom. It is painful physically and emotionally for both of you. One of the questions breastfeeding moms ask is how long it takes for your milk to dry up.

Don't Quit Cold Turkey

The time it takes for a woman's breast milk to dry up varies. The first piece of advice is don't quit cold turkey. Wean slowly for both your comfort and your baby's. Begin by alternating every other feeding with a bottle feeding.

Get The Family To Help Out

This is a great time for Dad, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles to get in the feeding game and help out. Work your way to breast-feeding every third time, then one-quarter of the time until you wean into total bottle-feeding. Your milk may take longer to dry up, but you and baby will be a lot more comfortable.

Grandma's Remedies

If you do decide to stop nursing, it will take a week or so for your milk to dry up on its own. There are a few tricks to help you get through this period of discomfort. Engorged breasts become hot and hard. Try applying cold compresses. An old grandmother's remedy is placing cold cabbage leaves on the breasts to relieve discomfort. Wash the leaves, and crush them slightly. Place them on your breasts inside your bra. You can wear them until the leaves wilt. Then place fresh leaves on until your milk is dried up. Another old remedy is drinking sage or raspberry leaf tea to help with the discomfort of drying up your milk.

Modern Remedies

You can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for the pain and swelling. Also, expressing your milk will help you feel more comfortable. However, be careful to just express a little at a time, as this will encourage your body to make more milk.

A Good Bra Is Your Best Friend

Make sure you wear a bra that fits well and does not allow nipple stimulation, as this will also encourage your body to make milk. Do not bind your breasts; this will only increase your discomfort. A sports bra is a perfect solution when you are drying up your milk.