In plain words
Lactation suppression means slowing or stopping milk production. Some mothers want this. Others need it because the baby has died, because the baby cannot feed, or because they are stopping breastfeeding. When milk is no longer removed from the breast, the body makes less milk over several days. During that time the breasts may feel full, firm, and sore. This is called . Many mothers look for ways to ease discomfort while milk slows. Research on these methods is limited, and the evidence is mixed. Some providers use medication for this purpose. Mothers who are grieving may also find support from a or a counselor.
The deeper version
Lactation suppression is the cessation of milk synthesis after milk removal by feeding or expression is withdrawn. As milk stasis rises, local feedback inhibits secretory activity over several days, and prolactin-driven stimulation falls. Oladapo and Fawole's Cochrane review (2012) found no conservative measure with good evidence of effect and found dopamine agonists effective. Safety concerns led the United States to withdraw the indication for bromocriptine for this purpose in 1994. Cold packs, supportive bras, and analgesia are used for symptoms, and their effect on supply is not well established. The controversy is between avoiding drugs with uncertain safety and using dopamine agonists where they work, a choice made case by case.
Where it comes up
What mothers here say about lactation suppression
No one has posted under this term yet.
Sources
- Oladapo OT, Fawole B — Treatment for suppression of lactation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2012