141. The Ultimate Guide to Oversupply aka Too Much Breastmilk

Not sure what the signs of oversupply are? You might be dealing with it, without even realizing it! Educating yourself on oversupply can help you enjoy breastfeeding again. Come learn how to prevent oversupply, the causes of oversupply and how to manage it.

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Read the full transcript here:

So it's same for the first six hours feed from one breast and then for the next six hours feed from the second side. They go on to say that if the unearths depressed is feeling uncomfortable hand Express or pump just to relieve pressure than stop. If the breasts become uncomfortably full at any point fully pump and start the process again. Some others may need to go longer stretches of eight to 12 hours until things are brought under control. Staying at the same breast for two or more feedings will allow milk volume to slow because there is less overall stimulation. Staying at the same breast helps ensured that baby is getting the higher calorie hind milk. This process allows the body to trigger the feedback inhibitor of lactation which we lovingly call fill, FYI l fill feedback inhibitor of lactation. What that is, is there's a whey protein that builds up in the milk and becomes more concentrated if milk is not removed. This sends a message to slow down milk production. Okay, so block feeding can be great for those with oversupply. Again, I highly recommend working with a lactation consultant, because you can start block feeding at the wrong time there's a right time to do block feeding, there's a wrong time to do it. If you do it too early on in your lactation journey, when you're still putting in your order for your milk supply. That could cause a dip that can be really hard to recover from. Also, if you wait too long to do block feedings, sometimes you just get so overwhelmed with so much milk and and recurrent clogged ducts and recurrent mastitis that you just give up on breastfeeding altogether. So it really is about finding the right time to do block feeding, doing it for the right amount of time. Sometimes my clients will start with feeding on one breast per feed and then over time their baby transitions back to both breasts per feed. Okay, so this is not a one size fits all. This is going to look very different from family to family. Okay, let's keep talking a little bit more here. With oversupply you may also want to consider adding some things to your plan such as herbs like peppermint and sage, maybe even Sudafed, I tend to gravitate more towards natural options, so I I always recommend to my clients first, peppermint tea, sage tea, peppermint essential oils, Sage essential oils, or capsules. I just gravitate towards those more than medications like Sudafed, but medications can be an option. For some people, even birth control can be a good option. But again, that looks very different from family to family. Again, it's not something that you want to navigate alone with oversupply work with an IBCLC it's not one size fits all. Again, this podcast is not medical advice, but hopefully these tips kind of helped you get a great start on how to manage your oversupply time. Again. Tip number one was don't overdo it with a breast pump especially a feeding your baby To be at the breast is going well. Tip number two is not only pumping too much causes over supply. And tip number three was positioning and a plan can help manage your oversupply. Are you feeling more confident? Are you feeling great as you go into this? Maybe before you started listening to this episode, you didn't know that you even had oversupply. Maybe you thought it was normal for your baby to choke and sputter and come up for air during feeds. And now you're thinking, Oh, maybe I do have a bit of oversupply. So I hope this has been helpful for you. I will be back next week for a brand new podcast episode. And of course, I'm gonna leave you with you're strong, you're smart, you're beautiful. You're a good friend to all have a good week. If you would like more help check us out at breezy babies.com Is the happy place for boobs and babies, where you can take an online workshop on topics from breastfeeding to baby gas. Learn baby massage, get a pumping plan before returning to work and even get one on one lactation help from our IBCLCs we meet with families both in home and also all over the world via secure video and guess what? These lactation consultations might even be covered by your insurance. Click the link in the show notes or visit breezy babies.com to see if you qualify. Also connect with us at breezy babies on Instagram and YouTube. And last if you love what we do, please leave us a review on Google or Apple podcasts. Bye

Introduction of the episode.
0:00

Sponsor: Love Majka.
2:06

Le Leche Leagues website.
3:33

What do you see during feedings?
5:08

Don’t overdo it with breast pump.
7:24

Do you need enough milk for twins?
9:39

Position and a plan can help manage oversupply.
11:26

Scissor finger position to slow milk flow.
13:32

How to start block feeding.
15:54

Block feeding for oversupply.
17:47