Oversupply while pumping at work

[sadie74]

Hello everyone! I have a question about pumping and oversupply. I tried to look for a thread on this already, but did not come across one; if there is one please let me know.
I went back to work this week and am pumping at 9:30, 12:00 and 2:30. My DD. Is 12.5 weeks and we are EBF up until DC. My right side produces significantly more milk than my left. At my first pumping session yesterday I got 5 ounces in about 5 minutes just from my right side. I saw the thread on lopsided production, but my question is at what amount should I stop pumping so that I do not increase the supply, but so that I don’t harm it as well? For example: should I stop pumping on that side once I get 2 ounces?
I have another question which unfortunately I think I know the answer too. During my lunch pump today I realized that were bubbles in the bottle on my right side. I am assuming that I must have not cleaned a part well enough and that there is soap left over? Is there any chance that because I have an oversupply on that side it caused the bubbles? They disappeared rather quickly. Fx I don’t have to toss that bottle.
Sorry for the long post and thank you!

[vvvvvfee]

it is quite normal to have one side that is a big producer and one side that is not as great ("a stud and a dud"). i would continue pumping both breasts because generally with a pump you need the stimulation on both sides to help with letdown and to keep your supply up. i would pump until letdown slows/breasts feel empty- for most people that is about 15 minutes. since it is so early in your pumping journey, i would not make any adjustments to your schedule yet, even if you have a slight oversupply. it will probably regulate itself within a couple of weeks (that is what happened for me). in the meantime, you get a little bit of extra milk to freeze for later, which is helpful.

regarding cleaning pump parts- i recommend getting 2 sets so you can put one in the dishwasher and have one clean. then you don't have to worry about soap suds. what i would do is taste the milk that you pumped in that bottle- if it tastes like your dishwashing soap, i would throw it out. if it doesn't taste off, i'm sure it's fine. it doesn't take very much soap to make a bubble or two, so i doubt it would be harmful for your LO.

[cgab36]

Agreed with above. Also you gave put your parts in a zip lock bag in the fridge between pumps to eliminate washing. Although personally I sometimes have issues with a good suction after they have been in the fridge

[cgab36]

Ps I had a huge over supply which stocked my freezer (in the beginning j was getting 20-24 ounces a day). With no changes at 8 mo I am barely producing what I need so I don't know if I would adjust anything just yet. AF has also come back which has effected my supply

[brandiewine11]

Just pump what you can for now. Your output may go down over time so keep that extra in the freezer.

I always get about 10 oz in about 10min in my first pump of the day, but after that get about 3-4 oz per session.

I sometimes get bubbles just from the milk dropping in quickly. If they go away quickly I wouldn't worry too much. Soap bubbles are pretty distinctive.

[ellabee]

I personally wouldn't stop short of emptying both boobs. You may find over the next few weeks and months that your supply drops a bit just as a result of being at work and pumping instead of nursing all day on demand. I say take the extra now for your freezer stash and don't do anything to try to decrease your supply.

As for the bubbles, I occasionally get some if I'm really full and the milk is flowing into the bottle quickly. Agree with pp though that they go away quickly and I could probably tell the difference between them and soap bubbles.

[Deleted]

I would pump until empty. My pumping volume was high the first few days away from baby, but it didn't always stay that way after I settled in. I was glad for the higher volume days to compensate for the not so great days. Totally agree w/ PPs on the stud and dud too. My right often produced double my left. I used the bigger Medela bottle in one side and the smaller on the other actually!

You're not washing your parts throughout the work day are you? Just throw them in a gallon bag and refrigerate them during the work day- maybe you already are. Such a time saver. Two sets of parts is SO convenient too.

[casey]

Sounds like you have consensus. Agreed with PPs.

[sadie74]

vvvvvfee thank you so much! I will continue to pump away and let my supply work on regulating itself. I've been meaning to order another set of pump parts and today is pushing me to finally do just that. I tasted the milk and it seems fine to me.

cgab36 thankfully I had read about keeping parts in a ziplock bag. I didn't even think about just keeping the extra milk for back up for later on. Duh.

brandiewine11 I think that's what happened with yesterday because the milk was dropping really quick and then the bubbles disappeared quickly.

@mananana that’s a great idea on the larger size Medela bottles. I need to buy more and I think I will pick some of those up instead of the smaller ones.

ellabee and casey and everyone - Thank you all so much! I’m glad I decided to ask about everyone’s experience before starting to mess with my supply. I’m thankful that this is my problem. I hope you all have a great day!

[jessa1228]

I agree with everyone else. I've been back at work for just about a month now and it seems that my supply is starting to drop a little (I had an oversupply as well). I used to get 8-10oz in 5-10 minutes my first pump of the day, but lately it's been more like 6-8oz in 15-20 minutes.