DEALING WITH AN OVERSUPPLY OF BREASTMILK VS WEANING/'DRYING UP' YOUR MILK SUPPLY

If you have an excess supply of breastmilk causing you problems such as breast pain, recurrent blocked ducts & mastitis, you may be thinking how to reduce your breastmilk supply to resolve these issues.

For starters,  please bear in mind, that this post does. not replace the advice of your health provider who has performed a consultation & has your health facts & assessments at hand.

A few things to consider 

• Are you within the first 6 weeks of establishing your lactation?
• Do you have blocked ducts +/-  mastitis right now?
• Is your baby having issues with his or her sucking & swallowing (for example, premature baby,  tongue or lip tie?

If you answered 'YES' to any of the above, working on reducing or weaning your breastmilk supply is not really for you because:

• You are at risk of low milk supply & potentially compromising your breastfeeding & baby's growth
• Your blocked ducts or mastitis may get worse and proceed to a breast abscess

A few tips to reduce excessive breastmilk supply

1. Allow your alternate breast to leak whilst breastfeeding to relieve breast discomfort & pressure
2. Collect breastmilk from alternate breast whilst breastfeeding via a Hakkaa Pump or breast shell
3. Offer both breasts at each feed, expressing your second side as needed for comfort only
4. Do not block feed (feed from one side only within a 3-4 hour time block) without the guidance and supervision of an IBCLC​

Some Gentle Tips to wean or 'dry up" your milk supply safely
If you are breastfeeding, drop one breastfeeding session per week until you are no longer breastfeeding - start with your shortest breastfeed first.  From here on, drop every second breastfeed once per seek, so that you don't get ridiculously engorged between feeds

If you are exclusively expressing breastmilk, drop one expressing session per week, then every second expressing. session per week thereafter.  Repeat this cycle until you are no longer expressing

Sage Tea - infuse 1 tablespoon of dried sage in 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 5-15 minutes. Drink 1 cup, 2 – 6 times per day. Sage tea can be sweetened with honey & lemon

​If your breasts are engorged & uncomfortable, you can apply cool packs to your breasts for 10 minutes at a time, for as often as you need to.  You can make your own cool pack by wetting a dry nappy & placing in the freezer until frozen

Simple painkillers such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen are safe to use if the cold packs aren't enough for pain relief


HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR BREASTMILK SUPPLY TO REDUCE OR "DRY UP"?
​This largely depends on your starting point.
If you have a low milk supply when weaning, it could take as little as a few days to a week
Usually you should see changes starting within 3-4 days

Some women can still express breastmilk months & years after weaning - the main thing you are looking for is that your milk reducing journey is slow to prevent mastitis and that your breasts are noticeably comfortable.

If you need further support, please contact your local IBCLC.
I now do express consultations where I can do a rapid assessment online & give you advice &. support for reducing your milk supply or weaning.

​You can find out more & book online at www.milkearlyparentingsupport.com