Expert: Sue Ennis - 11/2/2008

Question
My son weaning in February 2008 after two and half wonderful years of breastfeeding. I had hoped my milk would dry up soon there after. I only produced more milk it seemed! In the summer I worked abroad and was away from him for 5 weeks and my milk dried up nearly completely. Within a few weeks of being back with him my milk painfully returned and I suffer from regular engorgement during PMS and my period. I have tried every remedy to stop lactating from sage, peppermint, cabbage leaves, icing, tight bras, avoiding hot water in the shower, and now I just began taking 200mg of vitamin B6, hoping for relief. My breasts are very large and uncomfortable. I am a small woman with normally C cups but they are a full D with this milk. I take a supplement with natural progesterone for PMS, although I don't think it helps with the lactation.
What can I do to stop lactation? My large breasts pose many challenges, as I am very active running and climbing and literally get in the way. Additionally, the pain associated with engorgement and the let down of milk is very annoying. There is no chance that I am pregnant, nor do I plan to anytime soon.

Thank you for any help!

Answer
Hello Mary -this is quite common. And sometimes nature takes it's time to cease the breast milk production process.  Sounds like you've tried everything at this point.  But some key things to do and please make sure you give each enough time to set in and reverse your body's urge to produce milk.  Remember this is hormonally driven, so a number of factors do need to come together.  You'll need to do a few things to help trigger your body to know it's time to stop the process.  Two key things are to restrict movement/friction on the breasts.  Do not bind them, but do where a tight yet comfortable bra or sports bra consistently day and night. As you've mentioned, you know when you are showering do not have the warm water hit your breasts...movement, warmth and friction from clothes or loose bras can stimulate the production process.  Also, you should apply cold compresses to your breast for about 20 minutes each time about 4 times a day.  This schedule is important and I'd suggest doing this for one to two weeks until you see improvement.  This will help to decrease any inflammation and aid in constricting the membranes that produce milk.  There's a bra on the market that offers both the appropriate pressure and has gel packs that you can chill and place into pockets within the bra...visit http://www.lamabra.com if that's easier for you.  This makes it a little more simple. All the best!