Breast care after baby loss

Patient Information Leaflet

On behalf of Whittington Health, we are very sorry for the loss of your baby. Please accept our deepest sympathy at this difficult time.

• This leaflet has been created to provide you with the practical information you will need to help you make decisions about your breast milk. This includes:

  • Stopping your body producing milk
  • Allowing lactation to start or continue
  • Deciding what to do with any milk you produce

What is lactation?

• Lactation is the process of producing and releasing milk from the mammary glands in the breasts.
• A woman's body normally starts to make milk at around 16 weeks of pregnancy, although this can sometimes be earlier depending on your history.
• High hormone levels prevent full lactation until after the birth when hormone changes lead to full breast milk production.
• Colostrum is the first form of breastmilk that is released by the mammary glands.
• Colostrum changes to mature milk 3-5 days after the birth. Breastmilk is then produced in response to demand.
• Some parents find comfort in their body making milk when their baby dies as an ongoing connection with their baby.
• This leaflet details the options to help you make an informed choice that is right for you and your family.
• Try to remember there is no right or wrong decision in this situation.

Available options for breast care

What if I do not want to start or continue producing milk?

• We can offer you medication called Cabergoline which can help stop the body producing milk quickly.
• In most cases Cabergoline is effective in stopping your milk supply completely, but this is not the case for all people.
• This medication is also not suitable for all and occasionally there may be mild side-effects.

What if I wanted to allow my milk to come in and stop naturally?

• It may take several weeks for your breasts to stop producing milk after your baby is born.
• It is important that when your breasts begin to fill with milk you try not to express unless you need to for comfort.
• When breasts are not emptied, they naturally stop producing milk over time.
• During this time there are some comfort measures you can take that include:
  • Wearing a soft, non-underwired supportive bra
  • Sleeping on your back
  • Using a cold compress on your breasts for 15-20 minutes which can provide pain relief and reduce swelling
  • Avoiding hot compresses
  • Taking an anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen (unless you are advised not to take this)

Breast milk options

What if I want to continue my milk supply?

• You may want to express and create a short or long-term milk supply which may provide comfort for you at this difficult time.
• This can also have positive health benefits for you.
• However, grief is very complex and personal, and this may not be the choice for you.
• If you are interested in continuing your supply, more information can be found in the leaflet "Breast Milk Donation After Baby Loss - Your Choices and Options" which we can give you.
• Please ask one of the Bereavement Support Midwives for the leaflet.

Whittington Maternity contact information

Whittington Bereavement Midwifery Team
Jane Laking, Debra Virchis or Katie Courtney
Tel: 07825 009 071 (operational 8am-4pm, 7 days a week)
Email: whh-tr.bereavementmidwife@nhs.net

Early Pregnancy Unit
Tel: 020 7288 3786 (If the pregnancy was below 18 weeks)

Maternity Triage
Tel: 020 7288 5880 (If the pregnancy was 18 weeks or over)

Labour Ward
Tel: 020 7288 5502

Fetal Medicine Unit
Tel: 020 7288 5588

Department of Spiritual and Pastoral Care
Tel: 020 7288 5337

Support for you

• There are many organisations that can offer help and support, and it is important that you find the right one for you.
• The Bereavement Support Midwives at the Whittington will discuss the support that is right for you following your discharge.
• Other organisations you may wish to contact are: