What foods can help wean quickly when stopping breastfeeding?

Under normal circumstances, weaning can be facilitated by consuming foods such as mint, cabbage, celery, coix seed (yi yi ren), and mung beans, or by taking medications as directed by a physician, such as malt, estradiol valerate tablets, vitamin B6 tablets, diethylstilbestrol tablets, and bromocriptine mesylate tablets. These methods generally promote rapid milk regression. Specific details are as follows:

I. Foods

1. Mint: Mint is believed to inhibit milk production. Drinking mint tea or using mint essential oil may help reduce lactation.

2. Cabbage: Cabbage has an effect in suppressing milk secretion. It can be cooked or made into juice for consumption.

3. Celery: Celery is also considered effective for reducing milk supply and can be eaten raw or cooked.

4. Coix Seed (Yi Yi Ren): Coix seed is believed to have heat-clearing and dampness-removing properties, which may reduce milk production. It can be boiled and consumed after cooking.

5. Mung Beans: Mung beans are also thought to clear heat and remove dampness, helping to decrease milk secretion. They can be boiled and eaten.

II. Medications

1. Malt

Malt is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine made from the dried, germinated mature fruit of barley (Hordeum vulgare L., Poaceae family). It promotes digestion, strengthens the stomach, and helps suppress lactation and relieve bloating. It is a commonly used medication for weaning and can be steeped in hot water as a tea, showing relatively good efficacy in stopping milk production.

2. Estradiol Valerate Tablets: This is an estrogen medication that inhibits prolactin secretion, thereby promoting milk regression.

3. Vitamin B6 Tablets: A vitamin supplement used to prevent and treat vitamin B6 deficiency. When taken in high doses as prescribed, it can suppress prolactin secretion and is generally recommended during the early stage of weaning.

4. Diethylstilbestrol Tablets: This estrogen medication is used to supplement insufficient estrogen levels in the body, potentially inhibiting milk production, and shows effective results in weaning.

5. Bromocriptine Mesylate Tablets: Commonly used to treat endocrine disorders and hyperprolactinemia, this medication inhibits prolactin secretion from the anterior pituitary gland and is highly effective in stopping lactation.

Patients are advised to use medications only under the guidance of a healthcare provider and should not self-medicate to avoid adverse effects. If discomfort occurs, prompt medical consultation is recommended, and standardized treatment under medical supervision will support recovery.