pumping = oversupply

[@llli*lilysmama]

I EBF for 12 weeks before returning to work. I had OALD and OS. I did block feeds and got it under control. Last week was my first back at work so I have been pumping at work (both breasts 3 times a day) and then nursing at home. Over the weekend I was SO engorged. I had to hand express some just to get comfortable.

What do I do? I tried so hard to get my supply to go down and now pumping is obviously too effective. I'm not complaining about the extra milk - I should be able to donate a lot which I'm happy about - but I want to have good nursing sessions on weekends.

[@llli*phi]

In order to get my oversupply under control, I had to stop pumping an excess at work. I had to end each pumping session when I had close to enough milk to feed my baby. It was pretty drippy and messy, but it was the only way to stop sending myself into oversupply. Donation is a very honorable thing, but I would wait to start thinking about that until your milk supply is a little more stable.

[@llli*mommal]

A lot of pumping moms work hard to empty the breast every time they pump, and thereby induce an oversupply. Definitely stop pumping when you have collected enough milk to meet baby's needs for the next day- but make sure you break that out into several sessions.

[@llli*aprilsmagic]

Some working moms find they don't need to pump so often at work.

[@llli*lilysmama]

If I just pump to get enough milk for the next day, won't it be a lot of formilk? When I had the oversupply she wasn't getting enough hindmilk and had lots of troubles (lots of gas, explosive green poops, and belly pain).

[@llli*phi]

Pump 2x instead of 3x as aprilsmagic suggested. I did that too, but still had to stop pumping while milk was still running. Pumping fewer times should mean that you pump more in one session to get enough for the day yielding more fatty milk even if you don't "empty" the breast.

This will also help regulate your supply at work so that it becomes less of an issue after awhile. I only pumped 2x at work for awhile, then had to go to pumping 3x a day once I stopped producing too much milk. I had to stop pumping extra milk to make that happen though.

[@llli*aprilsmagic]

Mix your bottles, and it helps balance the fats

[@llli*mima]

Are you still block feeding at home? If so, You mention pumping both breasts which would be basically double what you are nursing. I block feed, so I usually only pump one side fully and the just a bit for comfort on the second side.