What Should I Eat to Stop Lactation Without Breast Engorgement?
Many women experience breast engorgement after deciding to wean their babies. During this phase, they are hesitant to use a breast pump to extract milk, fearing that it may lead to increased production and hinder the process of lactation regression. So, what can women eat after weaning to facilitate lactation regression without causing breast engorgement? Under the guidance of a doctor, women can take certain lactation-promoting medications and consume foods such as hawthorn, sweet potatoes, and green vegetables while reducing their protein intake.
If breast engorgement occurs, women can choose to buy a certain amount of malt, boil it into a soup, and drink it twice a day, morning and evening. After three days, the symptoms will ease. Additionally, they can apply the traditional Chinese medicine mangxiao externally to the breasts. In terms of diet, it is advisable to reduce the intake of high-protein foods and instead opt for sweet potatoes, hawthorn, and other foods that effectively promote lactation regression.
Moreover, the food prepared for the baby during this period should be very refined. It is best to choose fish, chicken, beef, or mutton and grind them into mince. Steam the mince with a certain amount of seasoning and serve it with fresh vegetables to achieve nutritional balance. The tools used for the baby, such as bowls, spoons, and steamers, should be separated from those used by adults and sterilized separately to prevent cross-contamination with bacteria.
During this period, it is also essential to provide a spacious area for the baby, as many babies begin to walk slowly at this time. Therefore, fragile items such as glass cups and hot water bottles should be kept away from bedrooms or living rooms to avoid potential harm to the baby.
One method for rapid lactation regression is to drink boiled water with raw malt. Mothers who intend to wean can drink this regularly. After drinking for a few days, when the breasts are no longer swollen or painful, they can continue drinking for a few more days until the breasts are completely painless before stopping. Although this method takes longer, it is quite effective, and mothers may consider it for rapid lactation regression.
Another option is to drink boiled water with dried hawthorn. Mothers who plan to wean can purchase dried hawthorn from a pharmacy and boil it in water. Generally, drinking this for two to three days can successfully wean the baby and facilitate rapid lactation regression. This method is also gentle on the mother's body and relatively fast in terms of weaning and lactation regression.
Mothers can also include more oatmeal, oatmeal porridge, and dishes made with leeks in their diet during lactation regression. These foods can also help with rapid lactation regression. It is advisable for mothers to consume more of these foods regularly until they have completely weaned their babies.
Lastly, mothers who want to wean and achieve rapid lactation regression can also consider using traditional Chinese medicine for regulation. If mothers choose this option, it is crucial to consult an experienced traditional Chinese medicine practitioner to obtain a suitable prescription to aid in rapid lactation regression. It is worth noting that the use of traditional Chinese medicine for regulation usually takes longer, so patience is essential.