How long for breasts to return to 'normal'

CharleneUK

Hi there.

I always had a little tiny amount of milk after breastfeeding dd2 for 17 months, and it went on right until I was pregnant with dd3.

System

My breasts leaked for a good 18 months after i had my babies. The doctor said it was my hormones.

inkie

Does anyone else recall a docu that was shown years ago about experimental milk production in men? Okay, so it sounds awful and rather pointless however it investigated the effects of exposing a group of men to test conditions to see whether their bodies could produce milk if given certain stimuli? My fading memory recalls that they were able to produce evidence that the milk glands that are normally dormant could be awakened.

Yep, that's right - i've also read research articles about it - it is possible.

Gingham_Ribbon

My lad has been feeding almost constanly since lunch time yesterday, so I'm all for men being able to do it!

I fed my first for 18 months and the milk dried up more or less overnight.

Vashti

Hands up all those who tried to get something out while reading this thread

*puts hand up*

Mine is sixteen, and I still notice crusty dried stuff around my nipple sometimes. (Oooh, more tea vicar?) I was worried for a while about it being something 'sinister'....nipple discharge and all that...until I realised I was probably still producing minute amounts of milk. If I do the downward gentle squeeze thing I get a little amount too.

Any female can produce milk if the nipple is stimulated over time. Didn't they employ wet nurses in days of old to feed the baby because Mummy was too busy being royal, or whatever?

Lentilsforteaagain

Hello all, this is my first post

I think the poor wet nurses were usually women who had lost their own babies weren't they? Must have been awful for them

I must admit, I kind of like the idea that the milk never quite dries up, it's as if once your body knows how to feed it never forgets

As for me, well my little one turned 2 six weeks ago and boobs are his favourite thing. Everyone tells me that stopping cold turkey only takes "3 days of constant screaming and then they come through it" ... but I just can't do that to him. I'd like to stop really as he's feeding an awful lot during the night still (but only usually once in the day) but just don't know how to! Any thoughts?

shirlgirl2004

My DD was boobie mad too. She only had a morning feed near the end. As I was pg again I just told her mummy's boobies were sore and she accepted that. She did ask for several weeks but always accepted it when I said they were sore, there were no tears. My DD was slightly older than your son she was 2 years 4 months when she stopped. 10 weeks later I've got another little one to feed

Mrs_pbradley936

I still had milk when my youngest son was 10. Obviously not the tingly let down full flow but it was there. I also had a lump scare when he was about 18 months old but it turned out to be a blocked milk duct. As for returning to normal if you mean the shape - they may not if you are well endowed. Mine went sort of empty looking at the top above the nipple but full below. So I had a lift but the surgeon wanted me to be sure I did not want any more children because I would have to have it done again if I did.

madhouseof4

I fed my first son for 16 weeks but could always squeeze a few drops if I tried. I can honestly put my hands in the air and say i didn't try and squeeze anything out while reading this thread as my youngest is 2.9 and still has a feed before bed.

It is not a bad thing that milk never completely dries up, especially when your kids are still quite young. Breastmilk is brilliant at helping to clear up conjunctivitus or other eye infections. Like I said though, it helps if your kids are still young enough not to ask what it was you put in their eye :rotfl:

newmum1

welshcakes wrote: »

Hi dj

I am a lady and I breastfed all my babies so I put my hand in the air to answer!

Guess what, I finished feeding my youngest nearly 7 years ago and yes, if massaged with medium force (that sounds peverse but you know what I mean), I still produce milk albeit a minute amount. It isn't unusual and unless it is causing a problem, should be ignored.

Onto more intimate matters, depending on your hubby's preference, you may find that regular stimulation will encourage the milk glands behind the nipple & surrounding area to start producing an increasing amount. If this is the case, have a chat with your gp as they've plenty of experience dealing with this; it is possible to 'dry up' the supply with a short course of prescription meds.

Ive been told that they do not give meds now cause they should 'dry' up naturally eventually