I feel like a tool for asking this...

mattandbekah · April 2010

How do you decrease your supply? Simply put...I just make too much milk. I am a SAHM and on top of nursing him regularly I have to pump twice a day simply to be quasi-comfortable. (I get around 10 oz. when I pump in about two minutes).

I know many women on here would give their right arm to be able to increase their supply, and Im really not trying to rub salt in that wound.

I tried just not pumping for two weeks, but I just end up soaking my shirt and spraying Jack every time he nurses. Am I missing something...I just dont know how to get my body to regulate my supply, I thought it would by now, but I just keep making more.

planeNsimple · April 2010

No idea, but i'm so jealous...sigh. 10oz in two minutes sounds like a dream. GL

AdamsWife08 · April 2010

planeNsimple:
No idea, but i'm so jealous...sigh. 10oz in two minutes sounds like a dream. GL

I agree! I barely get 10 oz pumping 4 times a day at work everyday. Crying I think our BF'ing days are slowly coming to an end.

planeNsimple · April 2010

Oh, I should add two things...dont' feel bad for asking! Every mother is different and just because some of us don't have a huge supply doesn't mean your situation deserves being heard any less. Oh and i'm sorry that you are in so much pain. Honestly, thought i'm jealous, I don't think that I would want to go your way either!!!

mattandbekah · April 2010

gah, im sorry!

sgrl · April 2010

DAMN! Ten ounces in two minutes?!?!

Maybe try some sudafed? I've heard that will dry you up - you don't want it to work TOO well, though. I think it's safe to use while BFing (other than the supply hit) but you would want to check with your doctor.

casspj50 · April 2010

Wow! that's a lot...i am also jealous...i only get about 4 oz each time i pump at work, which has resulted in me having to supplement. i still nurse in morning and evening, but can't keep up since she is eating 6 oz at a time now at day care. don't have any advice for how to decrease, sorry! hang in there.

BrideBuddies · April 2010

Congrats on being a good supplier! I never could produce more than 1/2 oz, so I have a bottle baby...

Perhaps you can contact your local LeLeche League or hospital to see if there's a Breast Milk Bank in your area? That's be a positive thing to do.

Abinormal · April 2010

Hmmm... have you tried cutting down on the number of calories that you are eating? Also, you could try drinking less water. I would do some of the things that normally decrease the supply for ladies on here.

Jen1231 · April 2010

AdamsWife08:

planeNsimple:
No idea, but i'm so jealous...sigh. 10oz in two minutes sounds like a dream. GL

I agree! I barely get 10 oz pumping 4 times a day at work everyday. I think our BF'ing days are slowly coming to an end.

I know that it's not your fault, but this makes me sick reading this post! I would give anything to be producing that much milk! I would think that you would just drop a pumping session and your body should adjust to it.

amos07 · April 2010

I have, well I should say had, the same problem as you until I talked to a LC and they told me to do two feedings on one breast instead of using one for one time and then switching for the next. It has helped slow down the production a lot and I don't have to pump anymore. It has been the only thing that I have found to decrease my supply so far. Eating less and drinking less water did nothing for me.

JDWNYC · April 2010

i had oversupply to and you do need to stop pumping so your boobs stay full and stop producing. If you are in pain try to just pump an ounce or two so you don't hurt - a hand pump will work well for this. You may also want to pump an ounce off right before a feeding so you don't drown the boy! Then try block nursing - doing multiple feedings on one side before switching to the other. I did all this and within about 5 days things were much much better. Now I don't pump at all bc it makes the problem come right back, You may have a leaky few days, but the well adjusted supply will be worth it!

sgrl · April 2010

mattandbekah:
gah, im sorry!

I don't think you should feel bad for asking. It's a fair question and a real problem! I wouldn't want to go around leaking and spraying at inopportune times, either! Wink

jlynns05 · April 2010

I've struggled with an oversupply too, not like yours though! My lactation consultant told me this: empty boobs make milk, full boobs stop making milk. Sounds simple but getting there is harder than it seems. Don't pump when you are feeling full, this will be super uncomfortable for a couple of days but it does work. I have to be careful though, its easy for that oversupply to come back. I've had to do this several times.

jlynns05 · April 2010

Block feeding helped me too with my foremilk/hindmilk imbalance which was due to my oversupply.

mattandbekah · April 2010

thanks ladies...ill start trying block feeding today! certainly cant hurt things!

also thats a good suggestion about the milk banks...ive got quite a stash in the freezer

Torani · April 2010

You could try cold compresses. I remember reading somewhere, NOT to do that if you were trying to get more milk...I guess do the opposite of the advise for making more milk!

If you're feeling generous, you could always send off your extra milk to a needy family through www.milkshare.com.

carlynbri · April 2010

I had oversupply issues too. I seriously don't really know if it did anything but I packed my bra with cabbage 24-7 for a few days and took a spoonful of sage with peanut butter for a week. I saw a difference in my milk production - totally could have been coincidence though!!!