producing to much milk

nebraska84 · May 2012

So I returned to week 2 weeks ago and because of this I pump twice while I am working. LO eats at 7 before I leave, then I pump at 9:15 and noon because that is when time permits. Then LO eats again from me at 4 and 7 pm. Because I am pumping I am procuding A LOT OF MILK, my breasts are always engorged feeling. Is there a way to just slow down productions without hurting? I my breasts hurt most of the time, is there anything I can do?

Bethbsn06 · May 2012

Milk production is based on supply and demand. If you pump less (less frequently, less time) you will product less at those times. If, however, you want to continue nursing at those times on your days off, you should continue pumping.

If the demand goes up on the weekends, you will spend the first half of the week engorged and then it will taper through the week and find you don't have enough come Saturday for a noon feeding.

Ashley&Scott · May 2012

How old is your LO? How much is your LO eating while you're away? How many ounces are you pumping per session?

nebraska84 · May 2012

Ashley&Scott:
How old is your LO? How much is your LO eating while you're away? How many ounces are you pumping per session?

He is 11 weeks, while Im at work he takes two 3.5 oz bottles, but i pump about 5 oz at 9:10 and 4 oz at noon. I need to pump at 9:10 and noon because that is when I am free during the day (I am a teacher). Maybe I should just pump for less time, maybe not pump until I am empty, maybe just enough to relieve the pressure. Would this help?

Ashley&Scott · May 2012

How long are you pumping for? Is that 5 & 4 oz total per session or per side?

If it's total per session then you're only pumping 2 extra oz per day. If it's a total of 18oz per day then I might reduce my pumping time slightly. (But honestly I like to err on the side of too much milk because I have a fear of a supply drop. I freeze the extra & donate when my stash gets too big.)

I think your body will adjust, I pump about 18-20oz per work day & don't get engorged.

JWSchwarz · May 2012

That doesn't sound like a big difference between what he's eating. He could be eating less frim te bottle than he would from you so like PP said, i would just go eitg it. You can self express a tiny amount every couple of hours and you will feel a lot more comfortable without having to break out the pump. Just wash your hands, step into the restroom with a tissue and self express to relieve the pressure. It only takes a minute and shouldn't increase your production (still pump at same times though).

JWSchwarz · May 2012

That doesn't sound like a big difference between what he's eating. He could be eating less frim te bottle than he would from you so like PP said, i would just go with it. You can self express a tiny amount every couple of hours and you will feel a lot more comfortable without having to break out the pump. Just wash your hands, step into the restroom with a tissue and self express to relieve the pressure. It only takes a minute and shouldn't increase your production (still pump at same times though).

jlsimon56 · May 2012

I agree, it sounds like you are making similar to what he's taking at DC. How long is he there? My LO is at DC for 7 hours and takes three 4oz bottles. Is he reverse cycling?

nebraska84 · May 2012

jlsimon56:
I agree, it sounds like you are making similar to what he's taking at DC. How long is he there? My LO is at DC for 7 hours and takes three 4oz bottles. Is he reverse cycling?

Thank you guys for your help!

LO is with a sitter for 6 hrs and takes two 3.5 oz of BM. I feel him right when I get home. He is getting enough food, I just needed to know if I was over producing because I felt so engorged, but today has been SSOOOO much better, I have done what everyone suggested, I pumped for less time and just procedured enough hopefully for the sitters to feed him tomorrow. Thank you for your help.

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