Lactation inhibition

If you are not breastfeeding, your breasts will usually still (partly) start producing milk. As a result, you can suffer from engorged breasts on the 3rd-5th day after delivery. This means that your breasts are very tense and full. It can also hurt sometimes. Stuffing takes an average of 1-2 days.

WITHOUT MEDICINES

You can wait for the engorgement to pass without taking any medication. Then wear a tight bra from the moment you give birth, even while showering. Cool your breasts with cold compresses. Try to touch your breasts as little as possible.
Sage is known for inhibiting milk production. When your breasts are stuffed, you can drink sage tea. Take 1 teaspoon of dried sage in 250ml of boiled water and let it steep for 5-15 min, 2-6 cups per day. If you want to use sage tincture, follow the manufacturer's instructions (note that the tincture often contains alcohol). If you want to use sage tea against engorgement while breastfeeding, please contact your midwife or a lactation consultant.

Fresh mint in large quantities can also have an inhibitory effect on the production of breast milk.

HOMEOPATHY

Phytolacca Decandra D6 has a positive effect on the proper functioning of the lymphatic system and thus the expulsion of fluid. In addition to milk stuffing, you may also experience fluid stuffing in your breast. The phytolacca helps to reduce this fluid build-up because your lymphatic system is better able to expel the fluid. The phytolacca also inhibits milk production a bit. You can get phytolacca in tablet form or as a tincture (note: the tincture may contain alcohol). If you want to use phytolacca against stuffing or excessive milk production if you are still breastfeeding, please contact your midwife or a lactation consultant.

MEDICINES

There are medicines that can prevent engorgement. These are Dostinex ® and Parlodel ®. These drugs are not recommended if you have high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Parlodel has a short effect and you must take it daily, it also has more side effects than Dostinex, so this drug is still rarely used. Dostinex has a long effect (14-21 days) and you only need to take it immediately after delivery. The main possible side effects are dizziness, nausea, and headache. It is possible that you will still get some engorgement after 2-3 weeks, but this is always less than if you would not take the medicine. You can get these medicines prescribed by your doctor.