How to prevent oversupply of breast milk?

Understanding Breast Milk Oversupply
Breast milk oversupply, often referred to as hyperlactation syndrome, occurs when a mother produces more milk than her baby needs. This condition can lead to discomfort for both the mother and the infant, manifesting in symptoms such as engorgement, a forceful let-down reflex, and potential feeding difficulties for the baby. Managing this condition is crucial not only for the mother’s comfort but also for ensuring a positive breastfeeding experience for the child.
Identifying Oversupply
The first step in preventing oversupply is recognizing its signs. Mothers may notice that their breasts feel overly full, and they might experience a strong, forceful milk ejection reflex during feedings. This can cause the baby to cough or choke, leading to a frustrating feeding experience. Additionally, mothers may find that their breasts refill quickly after feeding, and they may experience frequent plugged ducts or mastitis.
Strategies to Prevent and Manage Oversupply
To effectively manage and prevent oversupply, several strategies can be employed:
1. Adjust Feeding Positions: One of the most effective methods is to nurse in a laid-back position. This allows gravity to slow the flow of milk, giving the baby more control over the feeding process. By reclining while breastfeeding, mothers can help their infants manage the milk flow better.
2. Block Feeding: This technique involves feeding the baby on one breast for a set period (usually 2-4 hours) before switching to the other side. This method can help regulate milk production by allowing the breast that is being used to empty more completely, signaling the body to produce less milk.
3. Hand Expression or Pumping: Before nursing, mothers can hand express or pump a small amount of milk to relieve the initial forceful flow. This can make it easier for the baby to latch and feed comfortably. It’s recommended to express just enough to relieve pressure without completely emptying the breast.
4. Frequent Burping and Breaks: During feedings, it’s beneficial to burp the baby frequently and give them breaks. This allows the baby to pace themselves and reduces the risk of choking or discomfort from the fast milk flow.
5. Monitoring Thyroid Levels: In some cases, an overactive thyroid can contribute to oversupply. Mothers experiencing persistent issues may want to consult a healthcare provider to check their thyroid levels.
Conclusion
Managing breast milk oversupply is essential for both the mother’s comfort and the baby’s feeding success. By employing techniques such as adjusting feeding positions, practicing block feeding, and monitoring milk flow, mothers can effectively reduce the likelihood of oversupply. If challenges persist, seeking guidance from a lactation consultant or healthcare provider can provide additional support and tailored strategies.

Does a 5 minute breastfeed count?

Newborns may nurse for up to 20 minutes or longer on one or both breasts. As babies get older and more skilled at breastfeeding, they may take about 5–10 minutes on each side.

What causes oversupply of breastmilk?

Many women naturally make more milk than their infant needs. Sometimes an oversupply is created by over stimulating the breasts by doing both breastfeeding and pumping. Having an oversupply of breast milk can be uncomfortable for both a mother and infant.

How often should I pump to avoid oversupply?

Avoid expressing too regularly. Expressing unless necessary to empty a very full breast or if baby sleeps through a feed etc, can lead to an oversupply. Unless you’ve been advised otherwise, regular pumping isn’t really necessary during the first few weeks/months after birth.

Will oversupply fix itself?

Once the body knows how much milk baby needs each day (by how often and how much baby breastfeeds), milk supply settles down to match their exact intake. This is called supply and demand. You’ll often notice less engorgement and more supple breasts once this change happens.

How can I reduce my breast milk oversupply?

How is milk oversupply treated?

1. Feed from just one breast during a nursing session or for a block of time (typically 3 hours).
2. Try leaning back and nursing “uphill” so that your baby is above the nipple.
3. Try nursing as you lie on your side so that extra milk dribbles out of your baby’s mouth.

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.

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.

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.

What foods decrease milk supply?

Top 5 food / drinks to avoid if you have a low milk supply:

• Carbonated beverages.
• Caffeine – coffee, black tea, green tea, etc.
• Excess Vitamin C & Vitamin B –supplements or drinks with excessive vitamin C Or B (Vitamin Water, Powerade, oranges/orange juice and citrus fruits/juice.)

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.