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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

How to reduce breastmilk production - HELP!!

4 replies

JMLC · 12/03/2012 08:16

Hi there

I'm breastfeeding via a bottle as my baby had problems with latching on. He's 4 months now and I want to reduce the amount of milk I'm producing. The problem is that if I don't empty my breasts each time I pump they block up badly. When there's a block I have to pump for ages to get it out and therefore stimulating milk production. Sitting here with very painful block at the moment :(

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to reduce the amount of milk I'm producing? I've read sage tea and cabbages, but any other suggestions?

THANKS! x

OP posts:
TruthSweet · 12/03/2012 13:31

If you do want to start dropping pumping sessions and/or reducing supply, there are a few ways you can try:-

a) Lessen the time spent on a particular pump session (perhaps pick the most awkward daytime one but keep one evening/night session at the moment if you are still pumping then) dropping a minute or so daily until you don't pump at that time at all.
e.g. 12pm pumping is normally 25mins, so on the first day of dropping you pump for 23mins, 2nd day 21mins, 3rd 19mins, etc. If you find you coping well with that you can drop quicker or switch to method b).

b) Don't pump at that time but bring the pumping session before the dropped one later and bring the session afterwards back
e.g. you pump at 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 6pm, 9pm & 12am and you plan on dropping the 12pm session and you wanted to try this method you would bring the 9am session forwards to say 10am, and bring the 3pm session back to 2pm then you would be pumping 6am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm, 9pm and 12am.

c) Rather than dropping time spent pumping you could also drop mls pumped in a similar fashion (for the session to be dropped)
e.g. Rather than pumping 150mls a side (I'm going with big numbers here that I could only dream of as I was a rubbish pumper!), you try to pump 125mls a side for a day or so, then swap down to 100mls a side for a few days, then 75mls for a few days then 50mls (perhaps at that point you might try skipping the session altogether).

It really does depend on how you feel, what will work best for you and remember if you feel uncomfortable when dropping a session, you can always take it a bit slower or do a mix of methods (e.g. do option b but do a small/short pump at the normal pumping session time if you get overly full just to take the 'top' off).

If you go slowly, then if you notice a too big drop in supply it won't be too difficult to get supply back up. If you get a plugged duct while doing this then unfortunately all bets are off and pumping (pref. hand expressing if poss as you can concentrate on the plugged area) may well need to be increased just until the plug is cleared.

You can also try the suggestions on Kellymom.com for clearing plugged ducts here for other ways to try.

HTH and congratulations for pumping for 4 months!

JMLC · 13/03/2012 08:46

Thanks TruthSweet, the main problem with me is that if I don't empty completely - I mean totally dry (!) then I block up. I've had a scan to see if there's a problem, and they told me because it's my first my boobs are just getting used to producing milk.

I tried the sage tea yesterday and covered myself in cabbage and touch wood that seems to be helping, I woke up and only produced about 2/3's of what I normally produce.

Thanks for advice above though, much appreciated!

OP posts:
TruthSweet · 13/03/2012 09:08

Are you planning on stopping expressing totally and dry up your supply or is it that you are making far more than baby needs so want to step down production a notch?

JMLC · 14/03/2012 13:26

well i'm not sure! i was desperate to give up on Monday after the hundreds of painful blocks I've had, but as i'm unblocked now I'm not sure!! I think I'm going to reduce gradually, it makes me feel sad the thought of not giving him breast milk any more!

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