Need to stop breastfeeding quickly? Here’s how to manage milk supply with care
If you need to stop breastfeeding suddenly, there are gentle ways to manage your milk supply and care for your wellbeing. Every mum’s situation is different, and support is available to help you through this time.
This article shares practical suggestions to help you stay comfortable and supported, whatever your reason for stopping.
Suppressing milk supply from birth
If you haven’t started breastfeeding, your milk supply may drop quickly, but some discomfort is normal. Here are some simple suggestions:
Wear a firm bra day and night for comfort.
Express a little milk if your breasts feel too full.
Handle your breasts gently as they can bruise easily.
Use breast pads to soak up leaking milk and change them when wet.
Cool compresses on your breasts or in your bra can help relieve pain and swelling.
Mild painkillers may help relieve pain and inflammation. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Drink when you're thirsty. Cutting fluids won't reduce supply.
Find a comfortable sleeping position, using pillows for support.
Suppressing milk supply after weeks or months of breastfeeding
If you’ve been breastfeeding for a while, it may take longer for your milk supply to drop. The less milk you remove, the less your body will make. Gradually reducing breastfeeding or expressing is usually more comfortable and helps avoid breast inflammation.
If you need to stop breastfeeding quickly, your breasts may become very full and sore. Here’s how you can manage this:
- Express milk only when your breasts feel uncomfortable or overfull.
- At first, express at the times you would normally breastfeed your baby.
- As your breasts start to feel less full, express less milk each time and reduce how often you express.
- If your breasts become sore or very full again, express just enough to feel comfortable, then try to cut back again.
- Towards the end, you might only need to express once every few days. When you feel comfortable, you can stop expressing altogether.
This gradual approach helps your body adjust and can make stopping breastfeeding less painful.
Common questions
It depends on your baby’s age, how much milk you were making, and how much milk is removed either by expressing or leaking. Some mums find it takes weeks, others only days. Leaking and let-downs can happen for a while after stopping.
Some medicines can suppress lactation by reducing prolactin, the hormone involved in making milk. For this reason, they only work in the early days or weeks after birth when prolactin levels are high. Talk to your doctor before deciding.
Use breast pads and make sure your bra isn’t too tight. Change pads regularly to keep your breasts dry.
Express a small amount if your breasts become too full. Keeping your breasts comfortable helps prevent breast inflammation.
Support during sudden weaning
For some mums, needing to stop breastfeeding quickly can be a deeply emotional experience, especially if you or your baby has received a serious medical diagnosis, your baby has died or your baby is no longer in your care.
In times of distress, it’s easy to overlook caring for your own wellbeing. Compassionate help is available; consider contacting a support service or someone you trust.
- A breastfeeding counsellor on the National Breastfeeding Helpline (for support with weaning)
- Red Nose Grief and Loss Support
- Stillbirth Foundation Australia
- Griefline
© Australian Breastfeeding Association November 2025
Read more about weaning
Evidence-led info and practical tips from our Breastfeeding Information Series
Breastfeeding: weaning
