Lactation suppression

Lactation suppression refers to the act of suppressing lactation in new mothers by chemical or other means.

After birth some women may desire to stop the production of breast milk, for example when the mother wishes to bottlefeed from birth onwards, or in the case when the infant dies or is surrendered at birth.

This can be done in several ways:

• by simply not stimulating the breasts after birth. After a few days the production of milk will cease. Women may experience some discomfort such as engorgement and in few cases pain. These discomforts can be treated with analgesics, cooling packs and chilled cabbage leaves.
• by binding the breasts by use of tight fitting bras or bandages. This approach should be discouraged as this may cause blocked milk ducts and mastitis.
• by medication, prescribed by a doctor

In the past, hormonal therapies, such as diethylstilbestrol (DES) and bromocriptine were used, but these are no longer recommended due to side effects (e.g. DES is a known carcinogen). In some countries cabergoline (dostinex) is used for this purpose. Estrogen containing birth control pills may have the same side effect.

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