Many who have had a stillbirth or miscarriage during the 2nd trimester or later will find that their milk will begin to come in within a few days after delivery. If you are finding this page after experiencing a loss whether it is your own or another whom you know we extend our deepest sympathy. There are many resources to help you cope with your grief, to assist with the changes in your body that occurs after delivery, and to honor the baby.
The first days and weeks after the passing of your baby will be especially difficult. We hope this information will help support and guide you as you decide on the best option for you with the milk that your body is making.
WHY AM I PRODUCING MILK WHEN I DON’T HAVE MY BABY?
During your pregnancy, your breasts have been changing to prepare to feed your baby. The birth of your baby signals hormones that tell your body to make milk for your baby. When your baby dies, your body will not know your child is no longer with you and will continue making milk.
Your body will first produce small drops of colostrum (early milk) hours after your baby’s birth. More milk will come in about 3-5 days after you have given birth. Your breasts will become fuller and may leak milk. Increasing pressure from the milk in your breasts can cause discomfort.
Some bereaved mothers/birth parents feel the presence of milk is upsetting, while others find making milk to be a comforting reminder of their babies. There is no right or wrong way to feel. Be gentle with yourself and know that whatever feelings you are experiencing are perfectly normal and okay.
Whether your milk is just coming in, or you have been making milk for a while, follow the path that is best for you and do what helps you to begin to heal from your loss.
WAYS TO HELP YOUR BODY STOP MAKING MILK
You will naturally stop producing milk if you do not stimulate your breasts. You may choose to do this as soon as your milk first comes in, or later after you have been expressing and collecting milk. This may take a few days to several weeks.
While your milk is drying up, there may be discomfort and leaking of milk. Suggestions to help you include:
- Wearing a comfortable, supportive bra and using pads to absorb leaking (Make sure the bra is not binding, as a very tight bra may cause plugged ducts that can lead to a breast infection)
- Using cold cabbage leaves or cool compresses for 20 minutes at a time to relieve swelling and minor discomfort
- Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with pain and swelling
- Expressing a small amount of milk, by hand or with a breast pump as needed, to relieve uncomfortable pressure
If you have been pumping or breastfeeding before your baby passed away, you will need to gradually reduce your milk production to avoid engorgement, plugged ducts and mastitis. For example, if you have been pumping 6 times a day, decrease pumping to 5 times a day for several days, then drop to 4 times a day for a few days. Continue this process until you are no longer pumping.
Call your healthcare provider, lactation consultant or a nearby milk bank for further questions or help.
I WANT TO EXPRESS MY MILK
You can choose to express your milk for a short time or a long time. You do not have to decide right away. You can express milk by hand or with the help of a breast pump. Early stimulation of your breasts will develop a good milk supply. It is recommended to express your milk 8 times a day for the best results. If you already have established a good supply before your baby’s passing, continuing to express milk is an option until you are ready to decrease your supply and stop lactating.
Call your healthcare provider, lactation consultant or a nearby milk bank for further questions or help.
Your expressed milk can be donated as a legacy for your forever baby.
I WANT TO DONATE MY MILK
Your expressed milk can be donated in honor of the precious baby you lost. For some mothers/birth parents, donating the milk they have collected to other babies in need can be healing. Donating your milk to a nonprofit milk bank is a generous, compassionate act. Human milk donated to milk banks is used to feed medically fragile babies when mothers’ milk is unavailable or in short supply. According to the FDA, donating through a nonprofit milk bank, where the milk is screened and pasteurized, is a safe way to share your milk. We invite you to call the Minnesota Milk Bank for Babies, which is the nearest milk bank for those living in the Upper Midwest. Their Donor Coordinators will help you complete the 3 simple steps to become a donor. The steps include:
- Completing a 20-minute phone screening
- Completing a written questionnaire
- Having blood testing done (expenses covered by the milk bank)
Once approved, you can drop off your milk at a nearby depot (milk collection site) or ship your milk to the bank. You may also donate your milk for research if you prefer not to go through the 3 steps outlined above. Any amount of milk is gratefully accepted. There is no minimum.
The information above in available in a printable, tri-fold format.
A Counseling Guide for Engaging Bereaved Mothers/Birth Parents