I am sending this along since Beverly has
lots of experience with oversupply management.
Sylvia Boyd
From: "Beverly Morgan" <[log in to unmask]>

Subject: Re: oversupply
Sun, 16 Nov 97 17:24:32
Ideas for Oversupply

 I have been working with  oversupply for the last decade
 (before everyone knew too much milk was a problem!
 Hard to believe now isn't it?)  Nipple shields may help.
 (I don't advise the use until other ways have been tried.
Sometimes I come to them rather quickly (baby will put mouth
on breast but not suck--afraid of the flow--I may use the shields
as a "crutch" for the baby. In this case it is worth a try. He may
actually nurse stronger with the shield once he realizes that he
won't drown so easily. (Then again he may not even like it. A
small investment if he doesn't like it.)

other things to try.

1) Start baby when he is partially asleep, especially when the
breast is firmest as the flow will be strong then. A sleepy baby
starts less flow.

2) I am not sure what you are calling the Australian
hold--perhaps it is what I call the modified football. Baby is in an
L position. Legs are bottom of L Head at top, diaper area is
where the lines meet. He sits near mom's hip and he is then
upright as he nurses making it easier for him to swallow.

3) He may also be laying on mom face down as she lies on her
back (slightly leaning more to the side baby's feet are at
keeping his head side of her body slightly higher than his feet.)

4) While pumping is not a long-term solution she may be more
comfortable to pump down at least once a day. (She can save
the milk for her use or give it to a milk bank.)

The pumping down once a day is to help her to avoid chronic
milk obstruction.
The goal would be to try to take out a bit less milk each day (6
instead of 6 and 1/2 for example.) If she is uncomfortable and
needs to take milk out more than once a day the goal is to take
out a bit as she is now and try to go slightly longer each time
between expressing sessions. (eg. every 70 minutes instead of
60-- moving on to every 80 minutes instead of 70 etc.)

5) SHe has a good care plan in place. She may also want to
limit her liquid intake a bit. I know research says it shouldn't
make any difference but I have noticed that mothers who have
an abundant supply often drink large amounts of liquid too. She
may be gulping down  12 oz glasses of liquid. If she takes in
large amounts of liquid she can cut back. Do drink to thirst but
sip down a 8 oz glass instead of a 12oz for example.

I know of one mother in California who nursed on one breast
and pumped the other for 1 year. She donated more milk to the
San Jose Milk Bank than any other mother. (At least that was
true a few years ago I don't know if anyone broke her record
yet.)

I know other mothers who have brought down a milk supply big
enough for two children to a comfortable supply for the one they
have.

Good luck

Beverly Morgan, IBCLC, CLE

San Jose California