What to do with excess breast milk?

Understanding Excess Breast Milk
For many breastfeeding mothers, the journey can sometimes lead to an unexpected challenge: excess breast milk. This condition, often referred to as oversupply or hyperlactation, occurs when a mother produces more milk than her baby can consume. While having a surplus might seem advantageous, it can lead to discomfort for both mother and baby, as some infants may struggle with the rapid flow of milk or experience digestive issues despite thriving in weight gain.
What to Do with Excess Breast Milk
Instead of discarding this valuable resource, there are several constructive ways to utilize excess breast milk, ensuring that it benefits not only your baby but potentially others as well.
1. Storing for Future Use: One of the most common practices is to store excess breast milk for later use. Properly stored breast milk can be frozen for several months, allowing mothers to provide nutrition to their babies even when they are not available to breastfeed. It’s essential to use appropriate containers and label them with dates to keep track of freshness.
2. Donating to Milk Banks: If you find yourself with a significant surplus, consider donating your breast milk to a milk bank. These organizations collect, pasteurize, and distribute breast milk to infants in need, particularly those who are premature or ill. Donating not only helps other families but also contributes to the health and well-being of vulnerable infants.
3. Using for Baby’s Health: Beyond feeding, breast milk can be used for various health-related purposes. For instance, it can be applied to minor cuts or rashes on your baby’s skin due to its natural healing properties. Some parents even use it to soothe eye infections or as a remedy for diaper rash.
4. Creating Homemade Baby Food: As your baby begins to eat solids, you can incorporate breast milk into homemade baby food. Mixing breast milk with pureed fruits or vegetables can enhance the nutritional value and make the food more palatable for your little one.
5. Breast Milk Baths: Some parents opt for breast milk baths for their babies, believing that the nutrients and antibodies in breast milk can help soothe skin irritations and promote healthy skin.
6. Sharing with Other Mothers: If you have friends or family members who are breastfeeding, consider sharing your excess milk with them. This can be a great way to support fellow mothers who may be struggling with their milk supply.
Managing Oversupply
While finding ways to utilize excess breast milk is beneficial, it’s also important to manage the oversupply itself. Techniques such as pumping less frequently, feeding on demand, and using breast compression can help regulate milk production. Consulting with a lactation consultant can provide personalized strategies to balance your supply.
Conclusion
Excess breast milk doesn’t have to go to waste. By exploring various options for storage, donation, and alternative uses, mothers can ensure that their surplus serves a greater purpose. Whether it’s helping another baby thrive or providing additional nourishment for their own, the possibilities are as rich as the milk itself.

How do I get rid of extra breast milk?

The aim of treatment for oversupply is to reduce your milk production. This is best done with support of a healthcare professional. ‘Block feeding’ is a method that can help reduce your milk supply in just a few days. Feed your baby from only one breast at each feed.

What can I do with unwanted breast milk?

Note: If your stash isn’t expired like mine, please consider donating any and all leftover milk to the HMBANA, which is a network of non-profit milk banks that focus on serving “vulnerable preterm and otherwise fragile infants who need human milk as medicine.”

Is it legal to give away breast milk?

Although states such as California, New York, and Texas have laws pertaining to the procurement and distribution of human milk, these laws pertain to milk donated through a licensed milk bank, and not to individual sellers in the informal “gray” market.

How many ounces is considered oversupply?

4-5 oz
An oversupply of breast milk generally refers to a mother who is able to nurse her infant, or multiples, and is still able to produce a significant amount of breast milk (more than 4-5 oz) in a pump session after a feeding.

What can I do with too much breast milk?

Offer the breast before it gets overly full. If your breast is overfull, hand express or pump just the initial fast flow of milk and then latch your infant. Try feeding positions that use gravity to slow the flow of milk, such as a laid-back nursing position.

What can I do with leftover breast milk that my baby doesn’t drink?

There isn’t any conclusive evidence on whether or not this is safe, but some experts (and lots of moms) say it’s okay to stick an unfinished bottle back in the fridge to reheat and reuse at the next feeding. (If baby doesn’t drink it all at the next feeding, toss it.)

How many ounces is oversupply?

An oversupply of breast milk generally refers to a mother who is able to nurse her infant, or multiples, and is still able to produce a significant amount of breast milk (more than 4-5 oz) in a pump session after a feeding.

What can you do with excess breastmilk?

The most common advice for excess breast milk is to store it for later use. Freezing breast milk in clean, sterilised breast milk bags or containers can be a lifesaver for times when you’re away or your baby needs a feed, and you’re not available to breastfeed directly.

How do you dry up oversupply of milk?

To help dry up your milk supply:

1. Drink one mug of sage or peppermint tea 3 or 4 times per day, for 2 to 3 days.
2. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can help dry up your milk, but ask your doctor before using this medicine, and do not take it if you have kidney or thyroid problems, or if you have glaucoma.

What can I do with breast milk instead of dumping?

6 Creative Ways to Use Breast Milk as a Home Remedy

1. Soothing Baby’s Diaper Rash.
2. Clearing Baby’s Stuffy Nose.
3. Easing Teething Pain.
4. Treating Baby’s Acne.
5. Helping Baby’s Cradle Cap.
6. Healing Cuts and Scrapes.