Weaning a baby from the breast is a very delicate process. During this action, both mother and child experience psychological discomfort. It is good when women have the opportunity to smoothly transfer the baby to adult food, as is ideally necessary, when both the baby and the mother are ready for this. But there are also situations when a woman simply cannot continue breastfeeding for various reasons (illness, departure, age of the child, etc.). And the milk does not disappear in any way, and the breast continues to pour, creating discomfort for the mother. It is in such cases that it is advisable to use specialized means to stop lactation. But what drugs to give preference, so as not to harm your own health?
The benefits of breastfeeding are invaluable. Modern mothers consciously try to extend this period for the maximum time. But when there is a need to stop lactation, the time comes for special drugs.
All pharmacological agents of this kind of action are aimed at inhibiting the activity of the production of prolactin, a hormone that starts and maintains the production of milk in the breasts. But the active substances that are part of certain drugs can cause side effects, in addition to having a list of contraindications. Therefore, it is necessary to choose drugs for stopping lactation after consulting a doctor who can give advice based on the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
Important! The minimum period of breastfeeding is at least 6 months until complementary foods are introduced into the baby's diet.
However, WHO still recommends giving preference to a natural way to stop lactation. It is enough just to gradually reduce the number of attachments of the child to the mother's breast, which makes it possible for the milk to leave without discomfort and without possible complications.
Indications for stopping breastfeeding
Drugs to suppress lactation are prescribed to mothers in cases of emergency cessation of milk production. A long-term miscarriage or some situations in the postpartum period may serve as indications. Medicines are used for both complete and partial suppression of lactation.
Reasons for using drugs:
Important! Medicines that stop breast milk production are not recommended for women who plan to hasten the end of breastfeeding. The only exception is considered to be patients with a disturbed hormonal background, who may have problems with a natural decrease in prolactin levels.
What happens in the body when taking drugs?
Women mistakenly believe that a drug for stopping lactation can solve their problem and suppress milk production without any unpleasant sensations with the adoption of one tablet. They are completely safe, there is no risk of breast diseases and there is no need to express. However, this is not so, because taking such pharmacological agents is a burden on the body. And the list of side effects can several times exceed the list of their benefits.
Since any drugs that stop lactation affect the hormonal background of women, momentary and prolonged negative effects are possible:
Adverse reactions can remind of themselves during the entire course of administration, which usually reaches 10-14 days. The natural suppressive feeding process lasts about the same time.
The most common drugs
Medicines, whose work is aimed at reducing the activity of milk production, are in great demand. There are many opinions about their benefit / harm ratio, but if you can’t stop breastfeeding on your own, then the “pharmacy” option will come in handy. Most popular instances:
Any drug has a number of side effects that can create discomfort in everyday life. Therefore, the attending physician should select the option suitable for the patient, taking into account the characteristics of the woman's body.
Getting rid of lactation with traditional medicine
Many women who want to suppress breast milk production are not in favor of medication. They often think about methods without pills and choose folk methods that our ancestors once acted on. This option is safer than the "pharmacy" and all drugs can be prepared at home.
As a rule, traditional medicine recipes are not capable of harm. The maximum that can happen is that decoctions will not help stop the production of breast milk. But if this needs to be done as soon as possible, then it is better to consult a doctor.
Stopping breastfeeding is a stressful situation for both the mother and her child. Often, women resort to such manipulations when their baby can already do without mother's milk and switch to adult food. As a result, the close ties between the two native people collapse. But there is no need to be afraid of this, because now a new, no less interesting period is beginning in the life of a woman and a child. The main thing is to choose the right way in the fight against lactation in order to minimize possible negative effects on the patient's body. It is better to give preference to herbal tinctures, which will have an additional beneficial effect on a woman's well-being. But if emergency suppression of breast milk production is required, then you should, together with your doctor, choose a drug that is most suitable for this.
