Lactation After Weaning

Updated on May 05, 2010
T.C. asks from Bowling Green, MO
14 answers

I weaned my one year old two months ago from breastfeeding. I gradually weaned her and am not engorged, but I am still producing milk. Is this normal? Should I seek professional help with this matter?

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So What Happened?

Thanks to everyone for their great advice and support. I did make an appointment to see my ob/gyn. It will put me at ease, just to make sure my hormone levels and everything else is ok. I am trying the tight sports bra out for a couple of weeks, like suggested. We'll see if that helps any. I will let everyone know what the doctor has to say. Thanks again for your kind (sometimes funny) words.

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J.R.

answers from St. Louis on

My mom is 46 years old and she still has milk and she hasn't bresatfed since I was a yr old and I'm 23 now. She did have my brother 2 1/2 years after me but never breastfed him. But for some reason she lactates to this day! My best friend also still lactiate and her last child is going to be 4 this year so I have no clue what to do about it but I don't think it's a major problem as far as something being wrong! I think everyone is different on how their bodies react to things!
J.

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M.N.

answers from St. Louis on

T.,
Leakage can occur anywhere from one to two years after nursing. Reduce stimulation as suggested prior. Also, if it is a sizable amount, your body could be telling you that you stopped before nature was ready. If you can express and/or pump some for storage do so, and save it for your baby for times of a cold. Breast milk is a great cold-releiver.
Good luck, M. N.

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G.N.

answers from St. Louis on

I heard it was normal. It could take up to a year before the milk dries up. I never had leakeage. Are you leaking? If so wear a bra to bed with a nursing pad in your bra until you do dry up. You will eveentually stop producing milk. It takes awhile before the body knows it dont need to produce milk. Any kind of stimulation to the breast will keep the milk coming. Tell hubby hands off. LOL

1 mom found this helpful
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C.K.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi T. - what do you mean - still producing milk? a little or a lot which needs to be expressed? After nursing 3 children, I continued to have a small amount of "milk" I spoke with the doctor and he did some tests on the "milk" but nothing showed up abnormal. He said stimulation could be from intimacy with my spouse was probably the cause. I continued having a small amount for years, no leakage or problems- just could express - still you should talk to your medical care provider to relieve your concerns. You are too important to your family to have this worrying you.

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E.M.

answers from Lawrence on

I've still got colostrum that comes out if I squeeze just on one breast. I weaned my second daugher 2 1/2 years ago! I've asked my Dr about it and she told me its totally normal. I also feel a "let Down" when I hear a baby cry. Luckily nothing comes out!

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K.V.

answers from Kansas City on

Yes actually it is normal. I am almost 45 and i was still
getting something out of my breast for a long time after
i quit nursing as well. It takes awhile. So don't worry.
But if it would make you feel better go see the dr.
But i asked the same question. And they told me it
would dry up eventually and for the most part it has.
My best to you!

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J.M.

answers from St. Louis on

I'd suggest giving Kangaroo Kids a call at ###-###-####. They're open 7 days and have lactation consultants on hand to talk free of charge. They're great, incredibly supportive, and a great place to go for an outing with the kiddos - toys and books to play with, and even a cafe!

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J.K.

answers from St. Louis on

Hello. From everything I have ever read about it, it is perfectly normal to keep producing milk for even up to a year or more after weaning. If you're not engorged, I wouldn't worry about it unless you're trying to get pregnant again and having difficulty.

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M.N.

answers from St. Louis on

Yes, it's very normal. If it would make you feel better you could contact your obgyn, but it is very normal. It will eventually dry up.

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N.H.

answers from Seattle on

I have been lactating since 1986. I also had a grandmother who still lactated into her 60's and would give me her breast to nurse when my mother was not around to comfort me.

I breastfed my youngest child until the night before his fifth birthday. My breasts are very healthy, non-fibrous and still sit up high, fitting a size 36C although I am now in my 50's.

I could wet nurse a child if such things were still considered kosher.

I give you my testimony that nursing a child is the best thing you can do for your breast health and for your children! Don't worry about what it will do to the looks of your breasts for goodness sakes. I have had friends who didn't breastfeed whose breasts got saggy -- that's just in our DNA. Breastfeeding does not harm your breasts, in fact it is good for you just as it is is good for your baby.

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S.U.

answers from Kansas City on

Try wrapping your breasts tightly with fabric like a pillow case and ice packing for 20 min periods. Avoid warm water or breast stimulation, eg: while showering keep back to stream of water---the warmth and stimulation cause the milk ducts to dialate and let down milk. We have a lactation consultant at Providence Medical Center named Janie in nusery ###-###-#### if you have other questions, she is a good resorce person. I work there in labor and delivery. Hope this helps.

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P.L.

answers from Columbia on

I produced milk for 2 years after weaning my son. My doctor told me if I wasn't engorged and didn't have any other problems such a mastitus, there was no reason to be concerned. It finally got to the point where I only noticed milk when I took a hot shower and finally stopped. I wouldn't worry unless you start having problems.

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J.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I straight pumped for my second daughter and I, too, gradually weaned off. My advice (after having breastfed/pumped for 2) would be to wear a tight sports bra or 2 to keep them really bound and wear it for a week or 2, maybe longer (of course you can shower but put the bra on again). It's uncomfortable at first but you will dry up. The last thing you should do, and any book or doctor will tell you, is express any milk out because you're stimulating the breasts again (like breastfeeding). Always ask your doctor to make sure.

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S.D.

answers from Topeka on

Some women will continue to lactate for a while maybe forever however it won't be enough to become engorged or leak just when you pinch the nipple,I still lactate my son is over 4 lactated till my daughter now she's 1 I had to stop breasttfeeding her so it has been 12 months since I last breastfeed her.Still lactate,however since I have been having (breast pain call your dr to do a breast exam if you have any issues with your breast or a lump that your not sure what it is) and still lactate I had to make sure it wasn't breast cancer i'm 28 yrs old,all is ok just an infection.But you can go see your dr to set your mind at ease.WSAHM of 2 kiddo's who run my crazy

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