Managing Breastfeeding Oversupply: Tips for Moms with Too Much Milk
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by how much milk your body produces? A large amount of milk can be a good thing, but the breastfeeding oversupply can cause the mother and baby to have an array of symptoms such as swelling, leaking, and the feeling of discomfort.
This article will guide you through a step-by-step guide on how one can regulate the milk supply by changing the feeding schedule and using convenient devices like an insulated cooler bag breast milk which is used to keep milk at the correct temperature for a while. Let’s get started and make feeding more comfortable while keeping a healthy balance for both you and your little one!
What Is Oversupply and How to Know If You Have It
Breastfeeding oversupply is the term used when a mother produces more milk than her baby requires. Having an abundance of milk may seem like a great thing, however, it can still cause the mother to be uncomfortable and her baby to have difficulty feeding.
Too much milk signs are, for example, always full or engorged breasts, which can leak, or dropping so quickly that your baby is not able to latch properly. In addition, the baby might be coughing, choking, or getting angry during the feed.
The other symptoms may also be that babies are gassy and fussy, and their stools become green and frothy due to too much foremilk. The early identification of these signs is the secret of the treatment of breastfeeding oversupply and feeding comfort for both you and your baby.
Common Signs for Mom and Baby
If your body produces more milk than your infant requires and this process becomes dominant, then breastfeeding oversupply is the case. If you're unsure, it can be a source of problems for both mother and child. Thus, early identification of the symptoms enables you to regulate milk flow and maintain feeding at a comfortable level.
Common Signs for Moms:
* Constant breast engorgement or overly full breasts
* Continuous leaking from the breasts between feeds
* Sore or cracked nipples
* Heavy, uncomfortable breast fullness
Common Signs for Babies:
* During a feed, the infant may cough, choke, or gag
* Drinking milk fast without getting enough from the breast
* Becoming fussy or irritable after feeding
* Becoming gassy and having green, frothy stools because of the extra foremilk
What Causes an Oversupply of Breast Milk
Breastfeeding oversupply is caused by different factors. They are often related to how your body responds to stimulation and feeding patterns. Knowing the reasons will be of great help to you in controlling the milk supply.
1. Frequent pumping/feeding: Over-stimulation of the breast leads to increased milk production.
2. Physiological oversupply: There are cases where the mothers have an overproduction of milk without any particular reason.
3. Pumping in the early stage: Pumping extremely soon or frequently gives the result of an increased supply.
4. Supplementing or bottle-feeding too often: Extra stimulation from bottles can increase milk production.
5. Hormonal factors: Endocrine disorders may be a factor among others in high milk production.
Tips to Reduce Supply Without Harming Milk Production
Dealing with breastfeeding oversupply can make you feel stressed. Still, the aim should be to regulate your milk production to a level that you can manage without lowering your supply. You can get through your discomfort, let your baby feed without being agitated, and keep breastfeeding as a great experience by taking small, steady steps.
* Limit the milk to one breast for 2–3 hours before changing.
* Only do the expression for comfort, not to empty fully.
* Use it to your aid after the feeds to bring down the swelling.
* Comfort the area of fullness without the use of extra stimulation.
* Lying down or side-lying can help to control the flow of milk.
* Cut down the supply at a slow rate so as not to interfere with the milk flow.
* Use an insulated cooler bag breast milk to keep pumped milk fresh on the go.
Block Feeding: What It Is and How to Try It Safely
Milk production that is out of control is usually adjusted by block feeding. Working through the same breast for a certain time and then changing it, you are able to lessen milk production gradually as well as allowing the baby to feed more comfortably.
Here is the step-by-step procedure to do that:
1. Only feed your baby from one side to start with.
2. Take the breast for about 2-3 hours, which is even across multiple feeds.
3. When the time is over, go to the other breast for the next block.
4. Take out a little milk from the breast that you are not going to use to help with the fullness, but do not empty the breast.
5. Observe if the feeds get calm and the digestion gets better.
6. Change the time of the blocks according to your comfort and your baby’s needs.
7. If you are not sure to do it with the help of a lactation consultant and if oversupply continues, then contact a lactation consultant.
When to Seek Help from a Lactation Consultant
Breastfeeding oversupply is sometimes controllable with minor changes, however, there are also instances when the support of a professional is required. A lactation consultant can be of great help to you in case the oversupply leads to pain, engorgement, or clogged ducts continually and also if the infant has difficulty latching, coughing, or choking during feeding.
Moreover, it is very important that you ask for help if feeding has been difficult with your attempts, if your baby has suffered from weight and digestive problems, and if you are unsure about block feeding or changes in your pumping routine.
The support from a lactation consultant along with the solace she offers can be very different as she supports you in the process of relieving the oversupply and making feeding nice for you and your baby.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding oversupply can feel overwhelming, but with the right adjustments, it can just be managed in a way that keeps both you and your baby comfortable. Don’t hesitate to ask for support when you really need it, and relying on the simple tactics which will help you bring back the harmony into your feeding journey will be your solution.
For the sake of convenience in case you have more milk than you are going to store, you might want to think of using an insulated cooler bag breast milk so that it stays fresh and safe if you are out and about. The most important thing, however, is the love and care that you give to each feeding—and that will always be enough.