Choosing to not breastfeed....

Kiwi Family

Registered User
....for numerous different personal reasons.

With my first in NZ I was given a tablet "Dostenix" straight after birth to lower the chances of my milk coming in, this had no side effects and a great result.

I am in the public system here in HK (POW), and spoke with my doctor last visit who said that they don't do that here.

Does anyone know of anyone who will prescribe this or have an alternative solution to stopping milk coming in.

Any positive advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
I never bf my singleton, nor my twins, never tried, never wanted, never did and never felt guilty about it either. I had them all in the States, and nothing was given. I just wore a tight sports bra day and night, after a few days you feel Pamela Anderson and a few days later it's gone. Within a week it was pretty much back to normal, so personally I never felt the need for drugs.
 
I know that you said you don't want your milk to come in but there is another route you can take if you can't get the shot to prevent it from coming in (it can be super uncomfortable when you get engorged--I had that experience). My lactation consultant told me to take a cold decongestant. I am trying to remember exactly the type I was told to take. Maybe someone else can remember--it helps to dry up your milk supply within two weeks.

Also, birth control with estrogen can decrease milk supply.

I also read this:

If breast-feeding isn't possible or practical, the safest way to suppress lactation is to let milk production dry up naturally. In the meantime, avoid stimulating the breasts or expressing milk. Over-the-counter pain relievers, ice packs and a supportive bra can help relieve breast engorgement and pain ? which may peak three to five days after delivery.

Medications for lactation suppression pose serious safety concerns. For example, high doses of estrogen given by injection can stop milk production ? but the estrogen poses a risk of life-threatening blood clots in the mother. And bromocriptine, a drug once used for lactation suppression, is no longer recommended for this purpose because it can cause dangerously low blood pressure and stroke.


from The Mayo Clinic
 
Did not have to take any pill or wear a tight sports bra.
If POW doesn't prescribe it, you may want to see a private doctor and explain the situation and I'm sure they'd prescribe it to you. That way, you'd have them in your hands after delivery.
 
I am wondering why you would take medication if it's basically not needed? Again, both times I did nothing (except keeping my fairly tight GAP bra on day and night and within a week there was nothing to worry about).
 
I am wondering why you would take medication if it's basically not needed? Again, both times I did nothing (except keeping my fairly tight GAP bra on day and night and within a week there was nothing to worry about).

Well, I think it's because some women have really horrible discomfort when their milk comes in. For example, my breasts went from a C cup to a DD cup overnight, literally. The pain was really crazy! So, maybe some people don't want to run that risk (and it does happen like that to some women).
 
My girlfriend was horrified when she discovered that I was not breastfeeding, for her she can't imagine any other way, she is a B cup and loves the idea of having fuller breasts.

And that's totally ok with me, I would support her in that. However I am a D cup to start with........just one of several reasons (others are more personal).

Thanks for everyone's feedback.... a great help. (Its such a personal and often heated topic.)
 
I know this will not help much.....but just for an information.

In Japan, we go to see the Dr. (gynecologist) when we do not want to milk coming in or want to stop milk production (due to weaning or get pregnant with next baby). Dr. usually gives single injection to stop the milk production. My sis-in-law got it right after her twins started biting her nipples non-stop.
She said there was no side affect and no discomfort.

Sucellia
 
I am so glad there are other women out there who decided not to breast feed. When my daughter was born I decided not to breast feed her and was surprised at how blunt some can be when they discovered I did not breast feed. My second one is due in the coming weeks and I won't breast feed him/her either - it's just a personal choice that breast feeding is not right for me.

Anyways, didn't know you could see a dr about getting something to help stop the milk from coming in... and if it is as painful this time as it was last time I will see a dr.
 
Back
Top