Lactation After Loss
Our heart goes out to you as you grieve your loss. Losing your baby is one of the most devastating experiences a parent can have. You may be surprised and dismayed to find that your body is making milk for a baby who can no longer benefit from it. Although it is the normal process that occurs after a pregnancy, it can seem unfair, and a barrier to grieving. Each parent, each family and each situation is unique. For some parents, ending the milk production is important, as not every person can or may even wish to donate their milk after such a shattering loss. For others, donating milk can be a special way to honor their baby as well as to help others, and many people have found that donating helps with their grief. Milk donation is not a choice that fits for every family. We honor your decision and respect that you are the expert on your family and know your situation best. UAMS Milk Bank can assist you with whatever you choose. Information to help you make the best decision for you and your family is included here.
Lactation Suppression
In the first few days following delivery, your body will begin to produce mature milk. This is commonly referred to as milk “coming in.” If you would like to stop the process of lactation, you can work on lactation suppression through a gentle process for your body.
As milk begins to fill your breasts, it can lead to engorgement. Some ideas for comfort during the milk suppression process include:
- Hand express or pump just enough milk to feel less engorged (until your breasts feel comfortable again). Expressing for long periods of time (or pumping your milk) to empty will encourage milk production.
- Use ice or cold packs to reduce engorgement swelling and pain.
- Take Ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help decrease pain and discomfort.
- Stand in a warm shower or sit in a warm bath. The warm water running over your back or surrounding the breasts can cause milk to letdown and decrease engorgement and discomfort. (Note: Warmth can increase swelling and inflammation; use heat for only a few minutes at a time a few times a day.)
- Some parents have found that regularly drinking sage or peppermint tea decreases their milk production.
- Some parents have found that CaboCreme can help with the inflammation. Use of cabbage leaves has been recommended by some, but this may place you at risk of irritation and infection, it is no longer recommended by breastfeeding experts.
- If the above steps are not helping, you may benefit from physician-prescribed medication such as cabergoline. Do not take this medication unless it is prescribed to you by a physician.
- Wear a comfortable supportive bra. Note: Binding breasts is no longer recommended and can lead to painful plugged ducts.
Be on the lookout for signs of mastitis which may include fever, body aches, redness, pain and swelling in the breasts. If you experience any symptoms, reach out to your healthcare provider. Initial treatment for these symptoms is to continue to express small amounts of milk to remain comfortable. Follow the ‘R-I-I-C-E’ acronym – rest, anti-inflammatory meds, ice & cold compresses, express your milk (in small amounts). Be aware that breasts continue to produce small amounts of milk for weeks, months, or longer. Avoid nipple stimulation, as this may cause a small supply of milk to continue.
Milk Donation After Loss
If you wish, the UAMS Milk Bank can help you donate your milk. Milk donation after a loss can sometimes help the grieving family find a way to give a gift from their child to another. The UAMS Milk Bank will accept your milk in any amount you wish to give. All milk that is donated will be used to help us provide safe pasteurized milk to other hospitalized infants. If you have a lot of milk or you are considering continuing to express your milk for some time, you may want to think about allowing us to use it for making the donor milk that will eventually be fed to other infants. This requires some screening questions, a note from your doctor and some lab work (done at no expense to you). We will do our best to make this process as easy for you as possible if you choose this path.
If you wish to donate your milk to the UAMS Milk Bank, we will happily come pick it up or ship it from the hospital for you. We will keep it in frozen storage to allow you time to decide if you wish to proceed with screening or if you wish to donate more milk.
If you choose to get the screening done later, we will do that when you are ready. Your milk can remain frozen for up to 6 months (from earliest pump date) before you need to decide.
When you are ready, whatever you decide, you can call us at (501) 686-5355 or email us at milkbank@uams.edu.