Will breastmilk dry up before I give birth?

I am 36 weeks pregnant and I still breastfeed my 1 year old daughter!! Today was the first day that I started weaning her off of breast milk because I have no intentions of breastfeeding the new baby… has anyone ever done this? What happens when I give birth in a few weeks? Does the milk come right back? Will it even dry up before then because I’m so far along in my pregnancy? I’ve tried to Google my questions but Google has NO answers!

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Help a mama out and respond anonymously on our forum. Will breastmilk dry up before I give birth? - Mamas Uncut

Your milk will come back in after you have the baby

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Yes, the milk will come back again

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Your milk will come back they can give you meds to dry it up or you can do it naturally.

Yes the milk will come back

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Once you give birth and your placenta detaches, your body will be signaled to start producing again. So even if you dry up before birth, you’ll produce again. Why not breastfeed the new babe? It’s free food for baby, and if you were successful with it for a year with the first, might as well give it a shot :woman_shrugging:t2:

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Once the placenta is removed then yes

Your milk will come back and stay unless you find a way to get rid of it

Yes it will come back

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Gem. Cant tell you what to do but isn’t those first few days the best to nurse baby.

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New hormones will kick in xxx

Right now it’s just colostrum, a few days after you give birth your milk will come in.

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Might wannna try and breast feed the new baby with all the formula shortages.

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Milk will come back. To dry it up quicker after birth, do the frozen cabbage method. I dried up within a week to a week and a half.

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I have read you have more milk glands after each baby. You will start to produce more right after the placenta is detached.

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Milk will come back, even if you don’t breastfeed.

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I keep hearing about formula shortages in some places so you might want to check before you decide to not bf again. If there isn’t a shortage of formula… after I miscarried and had a d&c they told me to wear a super tight sports bra and keep the girls sucked up to my chest as much as possible and to not face the water in the shower either so my nipples didn’t get stimulated at all.

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Itll come back but it will stop if you don’t breast feed the new one. I never breast fed but with each one the milk dried up faster.

Your milk will most likely not dry up before new baby. It will prob change to colostrum and a couple weeks after new baby it will dry up. I suggest pumping 2-3 times a day or you are likely to get clogged or maybe even mastitis. If you do pump after baby giving even just a lil colostrum can make a huge difference in gut health and immunity.

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I think there’s pills your doctor can give you that dries up your breast milk :slightly_smiling_face:

There is a nationwide shortage of formula so keep that in mind if you plan on not breastfeeding. My last two babies were formula fed and this is my 3rd and last and I’m going to try my hardest to try and breastfeed. Good luck momma!

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Your milk is already colostrum ready for the next baby

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I mean it can but since your so far along it probably will just change to colostrum for the new baby. Mine dried up during my second pregnancy but very early on, like 10 weeks.

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Yes it will ce back if it goes away and it will be colostrum. Best to nurse baby first week then stop if you plan on not brest feeding. When and while you dry up it will hurt.

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It’s your decision it will come back the best thing to do if you don’t want to breast feed is just use cabbage leaves …but honestly if you can breast feed I would 1000 percent do it with formula recalls and shortages I had twins and I quit breastfeeding at 3 weeks bc I went back to work I honestly wish I would have tried harder I regret it now there’s limits on how many cans of formula you can get there is also shortages going around and recalls it’s just a mess

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I only engorged 2 times after birth. I had to supplement a week later cause I wasn’t producing enough :pensive: she’ll be 8 years old Saturday and is just fine :grin:

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Yes it will . Also I would keep breastfeeding hard to find formula right now

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I’m honestly not sure your milk will stop before birth and there’s no judgement from me at all…but that first week of colostrum is the best thing you can do for your baby. Even if youve no intentions of continuing to breast feed the colostrum gives your baby your antibodies and helps protect them against illness

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If your already breastfeeding then no you won’t “dry up” it dosent happen like that and many mums can still after Breastfeeding hand express or leak when other babies cry years later.

Keep in mind that there is a nationwide shortage of formula that is definitely not getting any better at all.

That being said, yes you will still produce milk, and lots of it.

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It will come right back.

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Are you kidding? This is why there are doctors and sure hope you have one!!!

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You might start to dry up after the baby… I’m unsure though. Keep hot water off your boobs and wear tight bras I believe.

I breastfed for 10 years strait. From 1994 to 2004. I successfully breastfed all 4 of my kid’s throughout pregnancy and up until my next baby was born. What I found was that my toddler didn’t want to nurse after I gave birth. And weaned themselves. My kids are all just about 2 years apart. I never had trouble drying up at all. My breast look like deflated balloons lol but they did their job. Good luck :smiley:

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It will taper down in quantity but probably won’t dry up. After baby is born it will likely include colostrum and tailor itself to baby’s needs. Many moms tandem nurse babies of different ages and both children get what they need.

I still had milk and it had been 6 years :sweat_smile:. You’ll be good!

Regardless of your milk supply it’s your choice to bf or not to bf. A formula shortage does not mean your baby is going to starve. It just means you can buy smaller amounts of formula and not hoard 10 cans of formula. Good luck on baby #2! Congrats!

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Most of the time milk dries up around 20 weeks or sooner. Since you’re still producing well for your 1yo, I’d say you may not “dry up” at all. Your milk will change to colostrum very soon, if not already, and 1yo will start having runny bm, but it’s fine. After you give birth and your placenta detaches, your body will start to produce milk again, rest assured. You may even have an easier time nursing the second time around, since you’re already established. Great job!

Were you hoping to wean the 1yo by drying up? Some kids are happy to dry nurse and go on to tandem feed along with the newborn. It’s whatever you’re comfortable with, though. The 1yo may have a really hard time becoming a big sibling and weaning at the same time, just a heads up. There are some wonderful weaning books and groups around. Good luck :two_hearts:

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It can be really hard to find formula in some places right now. Your milk will come right back even if you do dry up before.

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At this point, it might not even dry up. It will switch to colostrum or dry up then colostrum will come in. Either way, new baby is bringing more milk!

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You can wear sports bras. I leaked like crazy when I didn’t wear mine with my last daughter. So I started keeping it on and only took it off to shower or wash it. I dried up within 5 days.

There will be a lactation consultant at the hospital who may be able to help! But I’ve heard it takes a while to dry up (I’m still bf so I can’t tell ya) and being pregnant, it might not dry up til after birth! Does your hospital have a BF group?

Just feed your newborn for at least a few weeks. It gives them sooo much immunity and other health benefits. Right now there are many baby formula shortages. Just a little suggestion so you don’t find yourself in a pickle💕

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So you’ll feed one kid for a year but not your newborn? I’m so confused why you wouldn’t just keep going…

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Milk will come back since it’s delivery of your placenta that triggers your milk production. However it can certainly dry up.

Also please don’t listen to any of the comments questioning you for your decision to formula feed this baby or mentioning the formula shortage as if trying to push you to breastfeed. You need to do what’s right for you and your situation :yellow_heart:

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Seems your milk would increase. If you don’t choose to bf I would at least pump the first couple weeks for the young one. The older one may get runny poop again but I think that weaning older off before younger gets here and say it’s for babies and older sibling is big boy or girl. And you like cups with yummy juice or flavored water or strawberry or choc milk.

With the recall of formula and sick babies from it, also the shortage going on, I wouldn’t try to before you have baby as you may change your mind. It’s the best for them, maybe do both.

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Use cabbage leaves right after delivery will help some

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It’s probably pretty uncommon among breastfeeding moms to nurse a first baby for a full year and then not do it at all for a second child, that’s why you’re having trouble finding answers. I wish I had been successful with breastfeeding. I wanted so badly to nurse exclusively but I always had a low supply.

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Yes. Labor/birth will activate breast milk. Eventually they dry. Everybody is different as to how long it takes.

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Amanda Bush do you have any intake on this?

No. Once you give birth, you will still get an over supply of breastmilk at first.

Why would you think your body wouldn’t?

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Its very concerning with the formula recalls and shortages right now (I have 2 daughter in laws, 1 due May, 1 in October). One will be breastfeeding, and if that’s not possible she will pump and freeze. The other one does not want to breastfeed but is going to pump, freeze, bottlefeed breast milk.

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they gave me a shot to dry it up

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You may need to pump or express the excess after your newest is born the pressure is a whole other kind of painful, which I’m sure most BF Moms have experienced

I never got any milk in at all.

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No it won’t. Your milk will still be there after you’ve had the baby.

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I breastfed while pregnant with my 2nd answer is no it will not dry up it will change to your new babies need and adjust to the saliva as baby grows if you decide to change your mind and breastfed

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Consult you doctor about any and all concerns. We shouldn’t play armchair doctor on FB. :dove:

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The shaming here is terrible SHE DOES NOT WANT TO BREASTFEED. The question she asked was not why she should it was how to dry up.

I would say that you will probably have to the baby before you completely dry up, so I would think the best bet would be to keep doing what you are doing to dry up even when the baby comes. You may have to pump a bit when the baby comes, just because you may get very full when it fully comes in. But there are a bunch of Facebook pages for weaning and stopping breastfeeding as well!

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Yes milk will come back. Why wouldn’t you nurse the next baby??? Formula lawsuits over death of baby intestine. Food shortages… and you don’t want to breastfeed?

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The milk will come back but if you arent using it, it should just dry up on its own :woman_shrugging:

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Don’t be pressurised into breast feeding if you don’t want to. I’d ask your doctor or midwife for advice on this. Good luck whatever you decide x

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No, you won’t dry up. You’re already producing for new babe. You’ll dry up after giving birth and not breastfeeding then.

Usually takes a few weeks dry up sometimes longer :slightly_smiling_face:

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Your boobs get so sore when you stop then start again. The cost of formula etc is high. I would suggest kindly that you continue and see how you go for a while. You save thousands in formula if you breastfeed and those first five weeks are all the antibodies your baby needs for immunity.

You can dual feed or you can ween your little one off as baby comes along - with a special sippy cup.
When the uterus contracts back the feeding can be painful, the nipples get sore. But if you crossed over you would avoid all that pain mostly.
Good luck mumma with however you proceed. Formula here is so expensive now. A huge cost. It’s up to you what you do but some insight from my feeding experiences xx

If you dont want to breastfeed dont. Whatever your reason its valid. Yes your milk will dry up, eventually, maybe very painful during the process.

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It should come back! But every woman is different. Unfortunately it can be a wait and see thing

I put cabbage in my bra. I don’t know what it does but it worked lol

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If you’re looking to dry up the milk fast keep a couple heads of cabbage on hand. It dries up the milk but you have to change them frequently

Cabbage Leaves! It’s helpful with weaning, engorgement, mastitis and helping to dry up your supply

I still produced milk almost a year after stopping breastfeeding. Everyone is different. Your milk will come right back but as long as you don’t nurse or pump it will eventually dry up. Wear tight tight sports bras

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They give yu a pill to dry up

Not trying to shame you or anything but with how people been complaining or worried over baby formula supply lately I would suggest either stock up on baby supply or continue breast-feeding I know it will be somewhat hard but having that peace of mind of not worrying about formula shortage right now is beyond stress free.
I don’t have a baby anymore they are all preschool and older but omg how I worry for a lot of these new mommies or current moms trying to find formula. :purple_heart::purple_heart::purple_heart:
Good luck and i hope you didn’t take my comment the wrong way 

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God almighteyesy who opened my to come across your platfo debt free, @Redirecting...

Even if dried up when the placenta comes out colostrum would automatically start but if u don’t nurse then milk production would fade. If not dried up the same would happen. Regardless you can wean now a d there only be a hiccup of increased milk flow which would dry up as well. By weaning now and expressing just a wee bit to avoid pain, having new baby won’t really upset it much as can take weeks to dry up anyways. Best of luck momma and congrats

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Not right away, no. But about 2 weeks if you’re not stimulating the nipple. Supposedly crying stimulates the breast to feed, but idk. Mine was always quiet. (Boy, that didn’t last long! :joy:), maybe even less, actually, bc I wasn’t actually checking. But I couldn’t breast feed bc the meds I was on, and Greenville NC the high risk maternity ward apparently has an “algorithm” that decided I wasn’t safe to feed anyway, since in my past, I had history of addiction, even though I was clean before pregnant, clean threw out, neither me nor baby tested positive, yet they told me I wasn’t allowed!! But shortly after it didn’t matter anyway bc they’d put me on medicine (heart was shutting down) and I couldn’t anyway. But when we’d left, and I’d stopped taking the meds, I’d tried, but I was completely dry and from that point it had only been a couple weeks

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Ask yor Dr. For the pill that dries you up! Simple as that.If your sure you don’t want to breast feed they will give you th pill!

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I was done breastfeeding after a year and two months with my son he backed off on his own was done on Feb 2 months almost 3 months later I still have milk and will for a little while after breastfeeding so long you could carry over to new baby and not have to worry about building supply back up for whatever your reasons are for not breastfeeding new baby is your choice but you will have milk for a little while after you stop b

Awe. That’s … kind of heartbreaking to breastfeed one but not the other … specially with all the benefits for baby with natural milk that is not in store bought

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Earth mama has a tea called No More Milk. I don’t know if it works but it’s supposed to dry you up

I think it just stays when your that far along.

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Labor nurse here-please talk with your doctor — some women should not nurse at this stage as can cause preterm labor. If your doctor clears you, they should be able to hook you up with a lactation specialist who will help you ween in a way that is gentlest for you and your baby—there are tricks to it. A pediatrician is another good person to reach out to. Don’t hesitate to let them know what your plan is—you can find the right person to support you and make this easiest for all without feeling like you have to breastfeed if it’s not right for your new situation . Congratulations on your children and don’t forget to take care of you Mom!

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The cabbage leaves work but also the hot water in the shower made my milk come back so i used ice packs after and it dried up in 3 days no problem but i also didnt produce enough :confused:

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Claritin D is what my OB told me to take 2 times a day for a week to dry mine. It took about 3 days!

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Formula shortage now and every one I know is struggling to find it for their baby my family will have 3 newborns in less than a week everyone is breast feeding everyone works but it’s really only insurance babies have food and we already have some stored 1st baby here other two will be born this week and our hospitals don’t do formula unless medically necessary

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It will not dry up. Eventually it will after new baby

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You should be ok. I leaked milk for a great year after breastfeeding.

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your milk will come in after birth, that’s the biological function. If you’re set on not BF your second then just don’t once it comes in, it’ll dry up

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Your milk right now is colostrum not mature milk. Once the baby is born and the placenta separates you will start to have more colostrum and then it will change to mature milk again when it fully comes back in just like with your first

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When you’re that far along I’m pretty sure it won’t just dry up. Some people may try to convince you not to do what you want but if you look around you’ll eventually find the right person. It is possible but you’ll need assistance from a professional.

I’m pretty sure in the next few weeks it will not dry up and you’ll become engorged and hate it and then right after birth the same thing will happen because your body will produce milk again. but that normally happens when you stop bfing or don’t bf

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It should be a success for you to ween your little one off. From what I understand, your colostrum starts producing around 5 months, so your breast milk won’t taste the same and can be less sweet to your nursing baby.

I’m sure you’ll produce more milk, but if you aren’t pumping or feeding, then you should dry up within a couple weeks. Definitely talk with your doctor or a lactation nurse. They’ll be able to guide you through it, for sure.

Good luck mama!! Congratulations.

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I don’t have advice except for the rude people in this comment section. Keep your judgment to yourself she asked a question not for your opinion on what YOU think she should do. There could be many reasons why she has chosen not to or she just simply does not want to.

For your baby’s sale plz try to keep breast feeding, this formula shortage is getting worse and worse. I’m not against formula, we use it, but I wish I had let breast feeding cuz now it’s impossible to find ONE can of what we need.

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People really go to the comments to argue about breast milk and colostrum?! Insane. :sob::joy:

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As a CLC, talk to your doctor. The cabbage leaves compress also talk to them about the use of SAGE tea. (It’s quite bitter but sage in more than just culinary (amounts in normal seasoning/cooking) can actually dry you up. Make sure you don’t have any underlying conditions such as diabetes first as it can affect your blood sugar levels

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It might take awhile to dry up. You said you just started weaning your one year old so I’m not sure how long you are planning on that weaning process will take. It sounds like your wanting to be done with breastfeeding so I’d just breastfeed enough to relieve engorgement and keep them off the rest of the time. You should have considerably less milk by a month at least.

The milk will come back after birth.

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