Becky:

Some questions spring to mind with this case:
1. How much is this baby getting? ie how many wet and dirty nappies in 24
hour period? Is he/she colicky?
If so, baby could be exacerbating oversupply - 'hunger' cues may be
'needing comfort' cues, ie need to suck, but not want more food at some
times.
What is weight like? (Regained birthweight?)

2. Does baby feed from both breasts each feed? One side per feed or even
two feeds in a row from one side can help reduce oversupply. Mum needs to
be warned re blockages, etc on unused breast - she may need to express for
comfort.

3. With other baby where this happened before, did mum take any
supply-reducing measures, or did she just muddle through until weaning at 4
months? How did she go with engorgement, etc when she weaned?

It may be that cabbage doesn't work for her (it seems to be more effective
for some than others), but it might be worth a longer trial than 3 hours,
eg, use continuously for 24 hours, or until some effect is seen.

Other things I have read about:
- Oversupply as a result of retained placental fragments (case history in
JHL a way back)
- The use of sage tea to reduce supply. I have no experience with this but
others on Lactnet might add here. Patricia?

Joy Anderson IBCLC, NMAA Breastfeeding Counsellor,
Perth, Western Australia
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