How to stop breastfeeding without becoming engorged?

I’m looking for advice on best way to stop breastfeeding WITHOUT causing engorgement or mastitis. I plan on calling my doctor on Monday but I got a shot today at a walk in clinic that will dry up my milk so I’m not sure if i need to abruptly stop pumping or gradually stop. I exclusively pump-- I don’t nurse at all. My son is 5 months & is already supplementing half of each feeding with formula. The walk in clinic nurse said she thinks I need to just wrap up with ace bandage & don’t pump anymore at all but she said she is not a specialist so she isn’t sure. I’m so scared to get engorged or end up with mastitis! please help!

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You should really only be dropping one session a week. It’s not an overnight thing, it takes a few weeks.

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Frozen cabbage leaves helped me. But it’s an emotional rollercoaster when you stop breastfeeding.
Best advice though would be going to a breastfeeding specialist. Casue every women has different methods and ways they dried up.

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Decrease one pump session every couple days, or hold off and only pump when full to relieve the pressure. You should reach out to an LC though who can give you the best advice for your specific situation.

I gradually decreased pumping sessions. I would only pump when I felt they were ‘full’

Stop breast feeding. Pump a couple minutes if you need to just go let up some of the pain. Massage in the shower for pain. Mine dried up pretty quick

I did it on my own. I would just pump when they felt really full. And only pump enough to feel more comfortable. Dont empty.

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I just hand expressed a little here and there when the girls started getting a little hurty

My doctor had no advice except to bind & refrain from expressing. It hurt for like a week and taking ibuprofen worked only a little. Sleep was terrible. I’m so sorry for all moms that go through it.

Decrease one pump session at a time.
Hand express

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When I ween I drop gradually every couple days until I’m down to ounces. By that I mean I go 12 hours, pump and repeat for a few days, then go 24 hours, pump, repeat for a few days, then at that point I go by ounces and pump 1 ounce less every pump.
It’s a slow process but it prevents mastitis for me and doesn’t give me ridiculous pancake boob from weening too fast.

I also recommend eating anything with peppermint or peppermint oil as that is a trigger for reducing milk supply. Same as cabbage leaves which can be absorbed through your skin or you can buy cabbage extract pills.
I used Vicks vapor rub on my chest when I had a cold and it actually caused me to lose supply too so you could try that as well.

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I froze cabbage leaves and put them inside my bra for two hours; take them out and wait until full again & repeat again … continue for two days & you will be completely dry but stinky (the milk filled cabbage leaves stink) & (you can also see your milk in the veins of the cabbage :joy:)

I chose not to breastfeed with my last one. My boobs got huge and sore. After I took a shower I would lean over and let them drip. Just to take away a little bit of pressure. I asked my doctor about a shot to dry up and she laughed at me. She said you just have to dry up naturally.

Cabbage leaves in your bra will dry up your milk in a few days. Change them every hour.

Wrap breast in cabbage leaves they don’t have to be frozen, dried my daughters up overnight

Peppermint will be helpful. Decrease pump sessions, pumping less each time

If you want to stop breastfeeding. The safest way is to ‘wean’ so you pump and drop off a feed at a time every 2-3 days.

Example: If you were feeding 5 times a day you, pump 4 times a day for 2-3 day then, you pump 3 times for 2-3 days then, pump 2 times for 2-3 days. Till you reach no feeds. Your body will naturally stop producing if the demand for it stops.

This is a general guide sometimes even though you stopped feeding your body can recognise babies crying and go back to producing if you have only just stopped.

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I personally feel like hand expressing The milk will help your supply slow down without feeling engorged