too much milk

Lexihg · June 2015

little one is almost 2 weeks old .. We tried feeding from the Breast but it wasn't working for him, so now I'm exclusively pumping. He eats about 2 ounces every 3 hours but I am so engorged and feel like I need to pump all the time for relief. I pump about 6 ounces every time which is joe than enough to feed him and freeze some. Any advice on how to slow down the need to pump so often? I'd like to go 4 hours between pumps.

etayislove · June 2015

I would be very careful about trying to reduce your supply at this time because it's not easy to get it back when you need it. Your supply is still in that stage where it's trying to regulate to what your baby needs. And lots of babies go through what they call 'wonder weeks' around 3-4 weeks, where they cluster feeding constantly for a length of time.

I suggest talking to a lactation consultant or La Leche League leader, they will be able to tell you more.

rae430 · June 2015

I also have an oversupply and pump 6 oz in about 15 minutes if I empty both breasts (my LO is 4 weeks). I'm primarily breastfeeding, but since I'm block feeding to manage oversupply (just one breast per feeding), I was advised by a lactation consultant to pump just enough from the other breast to prevent engorgement and relieve some of the pressure. That way, you'll retain the bulk of the milk supply without encouraging the breast to continue overproducing. So far it's worked great! It might be worth talking with a lactation consultant about your issue.

Lexihg · June 2015

I've heard about doing that.. Do you empty a different Breast with each feeding? I'm only pumping but I'm thinking it would work the same way

rae430 · June 2015

Lexihg said:
I've heard about doing that.. Do you empty a different Breast with each feeding? I'm only pumping but I'm thinking it would work the same way

Yep- I empty a different breast with each feeding and just alternate it. I still have a ton of milk but it has helped a LOT with engorgement. Plus, it ensures that LO gets all of the hind milk since I don't switch breasts partway through, and he's been gaining weight like gangbusters. It should work the same way with pumping.

orangecurls · June 2015

Since you are pumping so much milk, I think you could drop down to pumping only 6 times per 24 hrs. Just start spacing the pumping out little bit by little bit. First get yourself to 8 times per day, then after a day or two move down to 7 times per day. I was able to drop my night time pump, but I'm not super engoraged anymore.

You may also want to try reducing your pumping time by a few minutes, pump for 12 minutes instead of 15.

Try to keep your milk production between 25-35 oz per 24 hrs. More if you want to freeze a bunch.

mattandlora · June 2015

I had oversupply with both kiddos. With the first one, I could get 8oz per side in a 20min pumping session. It took 12hr block feeds (only feeding 1 side for 12 hours straight, then pumping both sides, then switching) to get my supply down.

The second baby started like that too. I'd get 6oz per side in 10min. I called lactation weekly until we got the supply down. She had me pump until empty after the first morning feed. But I had to go to bed engorged. Full at night and empty in the morning times with the body's signal of how much milk to make. We got my supply to match baby's demand much quicker.

One other option is to freeze everything and save all the extra so you can stop pumping LONG before you are ready to stop giving your baby breastmilk. OR donate it to a milk bank for NICU babies.

Edited: autocorrect strikes again

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