Breastfeeding/Lactation Consultant

http://www.ilca.org/find/index.php

In the mean time, to tide you over, here's what I usually do when a mom has oversupply.

I usually have mom use positions that help the baby gain better control of the flow. You can try the elevated football hold. It's the football hold but with the baby sitting upright, facing mom, with his head above the level of the breast. Or you can try reclining in a reclining chair or using pillows to prop yourself and use the cradle or cross cradle. Those positions put the baby above the breast makes the flow less forceful. Obviously it's best to have an LC show you these positions. Also, sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error to find the best position for you and your baby based on breast size, size of the baby, and the baby and mother's preference and comfort level with each position. There is really no "magic" position that always works in this situation.

Also, it's important to use only one breast per feeding, even if the baby comes off briefly and wants to go back on use the same breast. Some moms need to use one breast per larger block of time or more than one feeding. I usually recommend 2 hour blocks to start and mom gradually increases up to the needed block of time until the problem resolves. Using the block of time works like this. If you are using two hour blocks you might use only the right breast as much as the baby wants from 8a to 10a and then use only the left breast from 10a to 12p, etc. If the two hour block doesn't work well up it to 2.5 hours, and then 3, etc until you get the results you need.

If you are using only one breast per feeding or block of time and the *un-used* breast becomes overly full and uncomfortable it's ok to pump a bit but only as much as needed to get comfy. You should notice less and less need to pump over time.

I usually use my last resort technique for moms who need to stock up on expressed milk for returning to employment. The last resort technique is to pump prior to feedings (you may need to do some trial and error to find the exact amount you need to pump out) to help slow the flow. You can then store the pumped milk for when you go to work. The reason this is a last resort technique is that it ultimately makes the problem worse b/c you are stimulating the supply more by removing more milk from the breast. Usually when using this technique it's important to eventually wean down from the use of the pump, but it can be a temporary fix for some moms. When you wean down from pumping do it gradually. For example if you start needing to pump out 2 oz. prior to each feeding reduce it to 1 3/4 oz for a bit, if that works reduce to pumping 1 1/2oz, etc. until you don't need to pump at all.

You may also want to try some cool compresses on the breast to slow the production of milk. There is no science to prove this works but it won't hurt. Apply the cool compresses for periods of 30 minutes with at least 60 minute breaks in between applications.

The good news about oversupply is that it tends to self correct by about 6 weeks to 3 months if you aren't over stimulating the supply by frequent switching of sides or over pumping.

Hope this helps and things are more managable soon.

Warmly
Kathy

Here are a few pointers that I got from my LC.

- pump until letdown and then feed the baby or just hand express some milk before feeding.

- use the "football" hold or "australian" hold. This way the baby has more "control" over the milk flow. FYI, The "australian" hold is alot like the football hold but you need to be in a reclinable chair. Latch the baby on like you were going to use the football hold and then recline the chair back. The baby should be kinda lying on you a bit. Using this hold gravity is working against you and your let down will not be as forceful to the baby. This hold worked really well for me. Sometimes I would just let Gabby lie on my belly and nurse.

HIH

Tracy and nursling Gabrielle

Good luck
robyn