Oversupply question

[kboyet]

I have on over active letdown and an abundant supply. Since LO was getting up a few times a night it was easy to manage engorgement/not having him totally choke when latching on. This morning he woke up and it was time to feed from my right breast, however it was rock hard. I fed him again with left side and now I'm pumping a few oz off right and will feed him from that side for a few hours. Am I doing the right thing? I didn't want to feed on right side this am because I know he'd get too much and too fast. Thanks for any advice- I always feel like I'm doing something wrong!

Edit: also when pumping right side I'm stopping at 3oz but it would give a lot more. Is this the right thing to do? LO is 12 weeks.

[melody330]

I wouldn't say it's the WRONG thing to do, but pumping three oz from an engorged breast will tell your body that you need all that milk. Hand express into a towel (or pump bottle if you are so inclined) until it stops straying so much. You only want to express milk for comfort, so don't judge how long you express by the firmness of your breast.

[brandiewine11]

I probably would have just fed on the engorged side and perhaps let it spray into a towel if it was too fast for lo. Pumping that much will just tell your body to keep making that milk. If you absolutely have to pump just go until you are a bit more comfortable.

Eta: you are doing a great job - it will get easier. :-)

[TheAnalyticalMommy]

I agree with spraying into a towel. I had trouble hand expressing when engorged so I'd let LO get it started and the let it spray for a bit. At 12 weeks LO might be able to handle OAL better than yiu might expect too. gl!

FWIW I'm thankful for my initial oversupply (now anyway) bc it let me build up enough of a freezer stash to stop pumping early the first few months I'd pump 18 oz in 15 min.

[kboyet]

Mar 1, 2015 11:27:52 GMT -5 TheAnalyticalMommy said:

I agree with spraying into a towel. I had trouble hand expressing when engorged so I'd let LO get it started and the let it spray for a bit. At 12 weeks LO might be able to handle OAL better than yiu might expect too. gl!

FWIW I'm thankful for my initial oversupply (now anyway) bc it let me build up enough of a freezer stash to stop pumping early the first few months I'd pump 18 oz in 15 min.

That's what I'm wondering- pump as much (within reason) now to save since I will be traveling for work. So many decisions and opinions out there that I've second guessed myself a lot in regards to nursing.

I appreciate everyone's responses! I will try spraying into the towel.

[flcl]

Hi there... have you been dealing with OS/OALD for awhile? Have you thought about block feeding at all? I had a severe case of both and just block feeding wasn't enough to take care of the problem. I ended up pumping till empty first thing in the morning, block fed the rest of the day. I did this for 2 days and that helped solve both problems. If your problem isn't so severe, using the towel and trying to stay away from the pump may be enough. Remember that milk production for most is supply and demand... or demand and supply. GL!