Robin wants feed-back on how long it takes for the suggestions she received
on managing milk over-supply to work.  I probably see as many women with
over-supply related issues as I do women with under-supply (several a week.)
Over-supply is unpleasant due to the general levels of fussiness of the
babies, the mess and discomfort mothers experience (leaking, engorgement,
chronic plugs, inflammatory mastitis), and the negative feelings of family
members who think mom must be crazy for wanting to continue when bfg is
"clearly" so unrewarding. The good news is that it resolves rather quickly.
The first few days are worse because engorgement related discomforts
increase temporarily.  Engorgement is the main mechanism which signals the
body to slow down on the level of production.  I insist mothers rest during
the first few days. Sometimes I suggest benadryl elixir (due to
anticholinigeric effects) for a day or so to reduce inflammatory process.
If she develops febrile sx I suggest she contact MD to discuss taking an
antibiotic while the process is continued..  I've seen babies with raging
over-supply related colic (lactose over-load) change behaviors within a few
days of initiating an one-breast-per-feeding-period regime.  I am currently
working with a couple now who came to see me a week ago.  Things are already
better.  Baby now has some peaceful periods where she is not screaming.
Breasts were so tender mom felt "I had needles sticking in my nipples."  Now
softer.  Always explain that the softer the breast, the creamier the milk,
because these moms have had such confused perceptions about feeding.  They
usually arrive convinced baby is starving (in spite of obviously gaining
infants) because crying = hunger, right?  So as breasts become softer they
worry there won't be enough for baby.

If things don't get better within a 10 day period, I'd begin looking at
things again to see if there is something else going on:  Allergy to
something mother is eating?  Sx of pituitary disorder.  Rare, but sometimes
retained placental fragment causes over rather than undersupply.
Inappropriate use of breast pump.Wearing breast shells which keep
stimulating production.  Unreported use of herb or drug which may be causing
vomiting, cramping, etc in baby.

Hope this helps, Robin.

Barbara Wilson-Clay, BSE, IBCLC
priv. pract. Austin, Tx