How do you control oversupply of breast milk?

Understanding Breast Milk Oversupply
Breast milk oversupply is a condition where a mother produces more milk than her baby can consume. While having an ample supply of milk can be beneficial, it can also lead to discomfort for the mother and feeding challenges for the baby. Identifying and managing this condition is crucial for both parties to ensure a comfortable breastfeeding experience.
Identifying Oversupply
The first step in managing oversupply is recognizing its symptoms. Oversupply can often be confused with breast engorgement or a rapid let-down reflex. Mothers may notice that their breasts feel overly full, and babies may exhibit signs of discomfort during feeding, such as coughing, choking, or pulling away from the breast. Additionally, while some babies thrive on a generous milk supply, others may become fussy or uncomfortable, even if they are gaining weight.
Strategies for Control
To effectively manage oversupply, several strategies can be employed:
1. Adjust Feeding Positions: Utilizing gravity can help slow the flow of milk. Positions such as laid-back nursing allow the baby to control the pace of feeding better. This can reduce the likelihood of overwhelming the baby with too much milk at once.
2. Hand Expression and Pumping: Before breastfeeding, mothers can express a small amount of milk by hand or pump for a few minutes. This technique helps relieve the initial forceful spray of milk, making it easier for the baby to latch and feed comfortably.
3. Block Feeding: This method involves feeding the baby from one breast for a set period (usually several hours) before switching to the other breast. This approach can help regulate milk production by signaling the body to produce less milk.
4. Breast Massage: Gently massaging the breasts can help soften them and make latching easier for the baby. This technique can also alleviate discomfort caused by engorgement without resorting to pumping, which may exacerbate oversupply.
5. Consulting a Lactation Consultant: If oversupply persists or becomes unmanageable, seeking help from an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) can provide tailored strategies and support.
Conclusion
Managing breast milk oversupply requires a combination of awareness, technique adjustments, and sometimes professional guidance. By implementing these strategies, mothers can create a more comfortable breastfeeding experience for themselves and their babies, ensuring that both can thrive during this important bonding time.

What to do if your milk supply is too high?

Try feeding positions that use gravity to slow the flow of milk, such as a laid-back nursing position. Burp frequently and give your infant breaks to pace him / herself. Firmly press the pinky side of your hand into your breast (like a karate chop) during the initial fast let down to slow the flow of milk.

Should I pump if I have oversupply?

Make sure you are only expressing a small amount – 1 ounce or so – to prevent making an oversupply problem worse. The goal is to feel some relief from engorgement, but not to pump fully.

What is the 5 5 5 rule for breast milk?

Something I recommend to moms is the 5-5-5 rule. Try and use milk within five hours at room temperature, five days in the fridge, and by five months in the freezer.

How to slow down oversupply of breast milk?

How is breastmilk oversupply treated?

1. Feed your baby from only one breast at each feed.
2. Space feeds out — at least 2 ½ hours apart.
3. At your next feed, change to your other breast.
4. Continue this pattern for a few days.
5. You might need to hand express a small amount from the unused breast to relieve pressure or discomfort.

How long does it take to fix milk oversupply?

There are a few different treatment plans to help mothers who are experiencing an oversupply of breast milk. Some approaches work quickly, while others will take up to 1-2 weeks to reduce the milk supply. Every mom and baby responds differently. You may need to try a couple of solutions to fully resolve the concern.

What is the 120 pumping rule?

The first 12 weeks of your breastfeeding journey requires frequent breastmilk removal, stimulating healthy milk production. Studies show moms who exclusively pump for a minimum of 120 minutes per day can make enough to feed their babies primarily breastmilk.

How many ounces is considered oversupply?

When feeding directly at breast, the average 1-9 month old will take about 2.5-5 oz of breastmilk per feed. In the context of oversupply, a woman may have 6 or more ounces in one breast alone.

Does leaking breasts mean good milk supply?

You can leak breastmilk for a variety of reasons including having a full supply, or if your body is not yet sure how much to produce, if your mature milk is starting to come in, if you’ve missed a feeding, or even if you are just thinking about your baby.

Will oversupply correct itself?

An oversupply normally settles down in time as your supply regulates. But if it persists beyond six to eight weeks, the following might be helpful: Check your baby is latching well at the breast. Leaning back when feeding can help to slow the flow down if your baby finds it hard to latch (Trimeloni and Spencer, 2016).

How many oz of breast milk is an oversupply?

If average is three to five ounces combined and you are getting that from each breast, you have an oversupply. If you are getting more than five ounces from each breast (and, ahem, you don’t have twins) then you have, let’s call it, an aggressive oversupply.