Overview
Women are often surprised to find themselves lactating after a miscarriage. Some women find it distressing and want it to stop immediately. Others have the opposite reaction and find that it helps them better deal with their loss by either:
Acknowledging the existence of the babyAllowing them to feel the weight of her loss and work through the bereavement process rather than shutting it downTurning the loss into something positive by donating milk to others in need
Not every woman who miscarries will lactate. Typically, though, women begin the process of lactation between the twelfth and sixteenth week of pregnancy. After a miscarriage, you may express milk for days or weeks.
Stopping Your Milk Supply
It is perfectly understandable why most women would want to stop lactating as soon as possible, as much for themselves as their partners who may also be grieving. If you want to prevent or reduce milk production, the best things to do are:
Avoid touching or stimulating your nipples as this can increase milk flow.Place cold cabbage leaves inside your bra to relieve engorgement.Take a pain reliever such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen). Use a cold compress to relieve swelling or pain.Wear a support bra as much as possible.
In the event there is a plugged duct, you may need to massage the breast and express milk through the nipple to unclog the pores. Meanwhile, any inflammation or infection should be looked at by a doctor, especially if accompanied by pain or discharge.
Using Medication
The drug Parlodel (bromocriptine) was widely prescribed in the past to stop lactation following a pregnancy loss. Most doctors now avoid it due to the high rate of side effects, including nausea, headaches, and vomiting. If prescribed, they are to be used with extreme caution and avoided in women with high blood pressure or serious mental illness.
Donating Breast Milk
Some women experiencing healing by donating their milk. Donating breast milk is legal, and there are established, non-profit milk banks you can contact through the Human Milk Banking Association of America. Some hospitals also run their own donation and pasteurization programs which use the milk exclusively for babies in the neonatal ICU. If you do plan to pump milk for donation, start slowly (around 10 to 15 minutes for each breast) and gradually increase the pumping time to avoid unnecessary pain. Depending on how much milk you produce, you can also extend the time between pumping sessions and gradually taper off as your milk production slows and stops.
