Oversupply of Breast Milk- Please Help

So I have been doing some research and I believe that I may be doing some damage with the breast feeding routine I have been doing. My DD has had some green poop and spit up lately and I believe it has to do with over production of the breast milk but I am not sure how to correct it. I am constantly engorged and I feel like I can pump forever and still get milk. My DD is sleeping about 8 hours a night so I dont feed her during that time. I wake up after about 6 hours ENGORGED! So I pump out most of it before I feed her the breast. I usually switch sides when breast feeding and try to have her eat for at least 10 minutes. This week I went back to work so I pump about 2 times a day and I am producing soo much milk but with all this milk comes a lot of engorgement and pain. I know that the more you pump the more you produce. What should I do? I read about doing block feeding but how do I do it if my daughter only eats once every 3 hours??

Thanks for the advice.

Re: Oversupply of Breast Milk- Please Help

I had awful oversupply issues. I would feed her one side at a time to make sure she completely emptied that side. When it was particularly bad I'd do 2 feedings on the same side before switching (block feeding). If you're engorged on the other side or when you wake up, I'd pump only to comfort. Don't pump out completely or you'll only be teaching your body to produce more milk. It took a long time for my supply to even out, but eventually it did.
To help get rid of some of the foremilk, I'd pump for 2 minutes before feeding her, but again, not longer.

I only did the block feeding for a short time because I didn't want my supply to go other way--which can happen. I'd try one side per feeding first.

Re: Oversupply of Breast Milk- Please Help

Pump after she nurses so you can ensure the breast is emptied.

When you are engorged only pump to relieve the pain this way your body adjusts its production.

Re: Oversupply of Breast Milk- Please Help

When she falls asleep and doesnt empty the breast should I pump out the rest so Im empty? Im sooo confused

Re: Oversupply of Breast Milk- Please Help

Should I only pump on the one side? What should I do when I am at work and have to pump?

Re: Oversupply of Breast Milk- Please Help

I would be really careful about pumping after she has finished eating -- that is only going to increase your supply. Have you ever been on the website www.kellymom.com? It is a really great website full of breastfeeding advice -- you might want to check it out.

Re: Oversupply of Breast Milk- Please Help

STOP PUMPING!!!!!! I had oversupply issues with all of my kids. By baby #3 I had learned and pumped only enough to relieve the pain. I was still VERY full as I'd only pump enough so that he could latch. I promise you, it will take a few days but your body will regulate to the proper amount.

By pumping everything out and then feeding, your body thinks it needs to make all that milk.
Make the oversupply work in your favor. You'll have a great storage supply and be more physically comfortable.

From now on, feed your LO (pump a little beforehand if you're too engorged for her to latch) from ONE side only. Going back and forth between the 2 breasts that are engorged will only give your LO foremilk (which causes gas and green poops). By feeding only from one breast you will ensure you get as close to emptying the first breast as your child needs- and she'll get the hindmilk.

Then, pump a few ounces from the other breast so that you're not dying from pain later, but DO NOT EMPTY THAT BREAST.

3 hours later, feed from the second (the one you'd pumped from earlier) breast, pump a few ounces from the first breast (the one your LO fed from ealrier). Remember, do not empty that breast using the pump. You'll want that milk for the next feeding.

Message edited 6/25/2011 10:17:51 AM.

Re: Oversupply of Breast Milk- Please Help

Re: Oversupply of Breast Milk- Please Help

Thank you for all the advice. I am going to only feed her from one side at a feeding. If I am only pumping a little out and saving the milk does the milk in the bottle have enough hindmilk for a feeding later? Also I have to pump while I am at work..do you suggest only pumping one side at a time? What about when I wake up in the morning after she has STTN? You guys are wonderful! Thank you so much. I am currently sitting here SUPER engorged just waiting for her to wake up so she can eat..

Re: Oversupply of Breast Milk- Please Help

At work I pumped both breasts at the same time...it was just easier plus I was unable to pump frequently....so I wanted to make the most of each pumping session.

If you read my previous post....after my DD started STTN in the mornings I would nurse while I pumped the other breast.