Why Does Eating Vitamins Cause Breast Milk Production to Decrease?

Taking vitamins to reduce lactation is usually due to the lactation-suppressing effect of vitamin B6. Consuming vitamin B6 can lead to a reduction in lactation. Its mechanism of action is related to promoting the production of dopamine in the brain, which stimulates the dopamine receptors and reduces the secretion of prolactin from the pituitary gland. However, in practical application, the effect of vitamin B6 on reducing lactation varies from person to person, and vitamins can cause significant irritation to the stomach, often leading to adverse reactions such as dizziness and nausea. Mothers with gastric diseases should use them cautiously. Reducing stimulation to the nipple can help reduce lactation more naturally. For example, gradually reducing the frequency of breastfeeding, increasing the interval between feedings, and shortening the duration of each feeding. Additionally, it is important to avoid washing the breasts with hot water. Other methods that can help reduce lactation include gently expressing some milk if the breasts feel uncomfortably full, but not completely emptying them as this can stimulate milk production and have the opposite effect. Cold compresses can be used to reduce the sensation of fullness. Eating foods that help reduce lactation, such as barley tea, malt sugar, leeks, Sichuan pepper, fennel, MSG, ginseng, hawthorn, chocolate, bitter gourd, malt, raw loquat leaves, toona sinensis scrambled eggs, malted milk powder, raw hawthorn, and others, can also be beneficial. Foods that promote lactation, such as peanuts, pig's trotters, crucian carp, and other protein-rich soups, should be avoided to reduce milk production. It is important to note that forced or intimidating methods should not be used to wean children. Practices such as applying spicy, bitter, or colored substances to the nipple to force weaning are not advisable. Instead, a variety of flavorful and appetizing complementary foods should be prepared to encourage children to develop a preference for them, gradually reducing their desire for breast milk.