If you want to stop breastfeeding for baby or toddler, we show you how to do it slowly and gradually or quickly if you need to.

When the time comes for you to stop milk breastfeeding you might be feeling positive and ready to move on, proud, sad that breastfeeding is almost over for now, a little bit guilty, worried about how your baby will cope with weaning from the breast or a real mixture of feelings. This page is to help with the practical issue of turning off milk production/lactation.

To find some emotional support from other mums post a message on the breastfeeding and expressing board. The drop in the level of prolactin and oxytocin hormones when breastfeeding comes to an end can lower your mood a little, especially if you suffer from depression, or if you have to stop suddenly before you feel ready. Be gentle with yourself….

Stopping naturally

When your baby begins to sleep through the might, or eat solid foods/formula the production of breastmilk

begins to slow down. Milk contains a protein called FIL (Feedback Inhibitor of Lactation.) When there is a lot of milk in the breast, because your baby is taking less milk, FIL stops the breast from making more.

If you are only giving a couple of breast feeds each day it is usually fine to just stop.

Child-led weaning

When a child no longer needs to nurse for nourishment, or for emotional comfort and reassurance, they willstop seeking the breast. This is usually after at least one year of age, usually between the ages of 2 and 4 years.

If your child is finding weaning hard this may not be the right time after all. It is often possible to find a compromise. Many women continue to feed their babies night and morning when they are back at work for example. If you change your mind it is fairly easy to build up a supply again for about 6 weeks after stopping.

Stopping slowly and gently

If you are exclusively breastfeeding and you plan to swap to formula feeds it would be best to drop one breastfeed at a time and stop feeding over a period of about 2 – 3 weeks. This reduces your chances of becoming painfully engorged with milk, a situation that can lead to blocked ducts, mastitis, infection or a breast abscess Cut out one feed and wait until your breasts are no longer uncomfortably full, usually about 48 hours, before cutting out another feed at a different time of day. Try to ensure that remaining feeds are spaced out across the day. When there are only 2 feeds left you can stop completely.

Check your breasts regularly for signs of mastitis. Redness, swelling and heat in one area of the breast, lumps or severe discomfort are best treated with some gentle hand expression to relieve engorgement….in time you will need to express less and less milk until you can stop expressing too.

Stopping quickly (Going Cold Turkey)

If you need to stop lactation quickly and you have a fully established milk supply follow these steps:

Remove only as much milk as necessary to stop pain and lumpy engorgement. Hand expressionis the gentlest way to do this without stimulating more milk production. Apply cold compresses/flannels/face cloths to the breast to reduce the blood supply and ease

discomfort. Avoid warm compresses. Cold green cabbage leaves can be worn inside your bra to helpreduce the milk supply and swelling. Change them once they become warm, at least every 2hours.

Take some painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen regularly if you wish.

Wear a firm, supportive bra. Do not bind your breasts tightly because this does not reduce the milk and is likely to be painful. Pressure on the breast can trigger a blocked duct and mastitis.

Hold your baby in different positions at feed time to discourage rooting for the breast and avoid painful pressure on tender areas. Continue to keep feed time special by using eye contact, touch and a soothing voice. Your baby still needs the comfort and closeness that you provide. Continue to drink as much fluid as you need to satisfy your thirst. Cutting back on fluids will not reduce the milk supply, though avoiding salt may be helpful.

In the past some mothers were given drugs to dry up their milk but this is not very effective and can cause serious side effects.

Contraception

After 4 weeks your periods and your fertility are likely to return, if they have not done so already. Unless you plan to conceive again straight away it is time to review your contraception. Starting the combined contraceptive pill, which contains oestrogen, will help to reduce your milk supply. Look at the risks and benefits of all the methods before you choose.

Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant medicine found in Sudafed, can decrease milk supply by as much as 24% for some women. If you want to try this please check with your pharmacist to make sure it is safe for you to use, especially if you are using other medication too. The usual dose is 120mg per day.

If there is still milk present after 6 months it is important to see your GP. High prolactin levels can be responsible for this and can be an indicator of pituitary disease and treatment may be needed. Continuing to produce prolactin can also delay the return of your fertility.

If you have experienced a miscarriage

You may be reading this page after a miscarriage, we are so sorry for your loss. Your body will continue to produce milk because of the hormones that you have produced. Because you are not feeding a baby this will gradually stop as if you were suddenly stopping feeding a baby.

You may find that wearing a close fitting bra and taking paracetemol may be enough to ease the discomfort. If it is too uncomfortable or you find it too distressing, do see your GP or Midwife as they may be able to prescribe medication to stop the milk production for you.

You can find more information about miscarriage support, and chat to other mums in the same situation

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