Oversupply - how much is too much?

[inky]

Hi, I expressed one boob for 25 minutes and got 130mls output - I could've kept going but for sensitive nipples. Is that considered oversupply or is just cause I didn't feed from that side for 12 hours? I know this is a long time but I was following advice on dealing with oversupply as a factor in her bowel wind, constipation, foamy poo.

I've been BF since day one and I'm trying really hard but when does it get easier..?! Think i'll go to a rant thread to vent now.. hahah (laugh or cry?)

inky

[AliBaby]

It sounds normal hun. From my experience it takes a good 6-8 weeks for the supply to regulate and even then it can change when bubs wants to feed more or less.

Its good you are getting that extra EBM. Store it away in the freezer like gold!

Bubs will regulate it to what it wants and needs xo

[inky]

Hey Ali,

From my experience it takes a good 6-8 weeks for the supply to regulate and even then it can change when bubs wants to feed more or less.

DD is only a newborn.. I just have no idea about these things. There's a good post on oversupply I found on this thread https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...ce-please.html.
Thank you to the special ladies out there sharing their experiences

Store it away in the freezer like gold!

That's what I thought initially and was getting carried away and kinda proud of myself like all the milk was some kind of achievement. weird i know.

Bubs will regulate it to what it wants and needs

..but aren't I interfering with the natural regulation by stimulating more milk production through expressing. I could probably express twice in a 15 hour period though definitely less is expressed in the second go.

[AliBaby]

Its good to have some milk in the freezer in case you have to be away from bubs or if you just need some sleep and need your DP to feed him. Maybe try not to express too much though as you are right, it will increase the supply.

I found initially I had ALOT of milk. I would only need to feed bub of one side so that I could drain that breast and then I would put her on for a couple of minutes on the other side. then the next feed I would feed off the side that only had a couple of minutes feed last time. It just kind of worked for me. So each breast would be properly drained every 6 hours or so IYKWIM

Its so confusing. I rang the ABA a couple of times. They were very helpful.

Also dont worry about having no idea. I had no idea either and everyone and their babies are different. Its such a learning curve - "on the job training" and both mummy and baby are new to the whole thing

[MantaRay]

Inky, you are doing a great job. The first weeks really are hard work and confusing. There is no time limit on when it gets better, but for many mums supply starts to settle down at about the 6 - 8 week mark - which means you are nearly there!

It would be helpful to know a bit more about the wind problems your DD has - what signs does she have, and what medical advice you have received. Also, what signs of oversupply do you have - what are poos like, is your flow fast at the start of a feed, what have weight gains been like? The amount you got from expressing really doesn't say very much about your supply.

I would say that 12 hours without feeding from one side is a very long time, especially in the first 2 months. This could put you at risk of mastitis, and there is also a chance this could reduce your supply too much. It sounds like you might have told to block feed - that is to feed two or more times in a row from the same side. This can be a useful strategy for oversupply in some mums, but even when doing this, each breast should really be fed from or expressed more often than 12 hours. Do you have any lumps or painful spots on the breast now?

With more information I can give you some suggestions for the issues you are having. You are doing so well already so hopefully a few tips will make life easier for you. All the best.

[Peg]

it will get easier but it generally takes a good 6-8 weeks for everything to pan out

With regard to production, the more you express, the more you'll produce. If you want production to slow down, you probably should let bub drink what she needs and 'try' not to take any extra out. (i know thats hard because full boobs are uncomfortable) In saying that though, it is good to get a stash going in the freezer while you have a lot of milk available too.

So you just have to be prepared that the more you express, the more you'll make. To slow production down, you need to express less.

[inky]

Hi Manta, I've been monitoring my BM supply for a day or so & reduced expressing to once daily to balance engorged breasts & oversupply. I honestly don't know if I've got oversupply, which is why I wondered about the quantity I expressed. I've quit block feeding which obviously doesn't work for me right now. I"m large breasted, does that contribute oversupply? They sure make feeding more challenging. To avoid swelling and lumps I need to express once a day.

I don't know if I flow fast at the start of feeding, but DD is a gulper, it sounds like she's trying to keep up. She needs a weigh so couldn't tell you that, but looks and feels heavier than the last weigh in.

On the wind, DD has lots of tummy grumbles, groaning & thrashing about but thankfully passing lots of gas. She has constipation for a day, then explosions for a days including a bit of foam - the ECHN said this was lactose buildup from constipation. She hasn't pooed for 3 days so her gas is getting a bit smelly now. ECHN says this is all normal & DD can be constipated up to 2 weeks ! Following forums suggestions I tried her on Infant's Friend, DD spat it out. She's been on Gripe Water for 24 hours, no poo poo.

Do I have oversupply and if so am I causing DD's wind & constipation?
Thanks for your thoughts

Thanks Peg, bring on 6-8 weeks, not long now.. yippee