Pumped once and now I've got oversupply

[ClareK86]

My BF LO was in hospital for observation last night and was too stressed to latch, so I expressed and bottle fed for 1 feed (both sides expressed). Since then he's been breast feeding fine, but my supply has gone into overdrive just from the one pumping session of 15 min or so each side 😐

They're literally dripping between 2-3 hourly feeds - is there a quick way to get my supply regulated again? Last feed I think I flooded my poor LO as he spat up a lot, which is rare for him. I'm worried about night feeds if he's going to spit up a lot as I don't want him coughing and choking 😦

[Kione]

I did the same and ended up with sore engorged boobs. I was advised to "express for comfort" but was scared of messing up so I just continued as normal and put cold flannels after feeds and things regulated in a couple of days. But I must say DS is big and feeds quite a lot.

[Kione]

Oh and mine dripped after feeds because DS wasn't emptying them, so I put some breast pads.

[GruffaloPants]

I've been there - for me it became a long term problem, but I was expressing for a week. Try block feeding - just use one breast in any three hour period, even if it means two feeds from one side. Don't offer the second side. Kellymom website should have more info.

[ClareK86]

Thanks for your replies - I did end up having a look at Kellymom last night and was block feeding overnight - each time the first feed from each side left LO full but not satisfied and he ended up feeding a second time an hour or so later. However I think it's starting to work as the midday and 3pm feeds today have each been one side only and led straight to the usual milk coma - seems like it might be almost back to normal just with a day of block feeding! Phew!

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

How old is he? Are you feeding on a schedule or on demand? If you keep offering him a feed on demand, he will be able to regulate your supply.

I have to block feed DS (and I did with DD). So every time I feed in a 2-3 hour period, I go back to the same breast. And then I swap for every feed in the next 2-3 hours, however often he feeds in that time.

[ClareK86]

He's only 12 days old! Yes I do demand feeding, and have been sticking to the 3 hourly rule, and it seems to be working to get my supply back to normal. Great advice everyone!

[Writerwannabe83]

What's the 3 hourly rule?

There's no schedule rules for breast feeding..... is there?

[CelticPromise]

It's unlikely to be the pumping causing the oversupply, it will increase until 6 weeks. I started to leak and feel my letdown after a couple of weeks having not done either before. My baby also spits up which is normal. Block feeding isn't usually recommended until your supply is fully established which it isn't at 12 days. I wouldn't continue with it for now, maybe get some real life bf advice if you keep having problems.

[ClareK86]

@writer, the 3 hourly thing is about switching breast only every 3 hours no matter gow many feeds happen within that time (block feeding). He's back on only one longer feed per 2-3 hours so I'm back to alternating breasts between feeds now - he never wants more than one breast per feed. We also found that he was a bit stuffed up and managed to release a few bogeys last night, which has helped him cope with the less regular but longer feeds again. Perhaps the expressing had nothing to do with it after all and it was just the oxygen tube in his nose that caused a few harder bogeys to get in the way that was causing issues!

[Writerwannabe83]

Oh I see, thanks clare