Every mother has a different breastfeeding journey. Some new moms are able to fight the difficulties smoothly, while others face some problems in surpassing the barriers, which includes excessive or less breast milk production. Due to excessive breast milk production, the baby haa to struggle with extremely fast flow. Too much breast milk can feel very uncomfortable, with frequently leaking breasts, and a higher risk of suffering from recurrent mastitis.
In the early period of first 4-6 weeks after your baby is born, the levels of milk-making hormone prolactin rise every time milk is removed from the breasts. In these early weeks, your breasts are getting used to the amount of breast milk your baby needs and how much to produce every hour. Therefore, you don't need to panic in case there is breast milk leaking in initial weeks. Onlymyhealth editorial team spoke to Dr. Ganga Anand (PT), ChildBirth Educator, Obs and Gynae at Daffodils by Artemis in Gurgaon, to know about some tips to reduce too much breast milk production.
Tips to reduce too much breast milk
Oversupplying milk to the baby is not healthy. To notice the proportion, see the amount of milk that you pump in a 24 hour period of time instead of looking at it after every session. You should talk to your doctor if there is an excessive production of breast milk. According to Dr. Ganga, here are 5 helpful tips to reduce too much breast milk production:
1. Nursing pads
If the milk is leaking, using disposable nursing pads or milk collection shells inside your bra can help in staying dry. If the milk leakage is only mild or you have leaking breasts during pregnancy, there are ultra thin disposable nursing pads that can help you feel better and confident.
2. Laid back position
Feeding in a reclined or laid back position, can prove to be useful in giving your baby more control. The infant can get settled in this position, which will also help in lifting his/her head to take a break if the milk flow is too fast. Make sure to keep a towel under the baby to absorb any extra milk.
3. Stop taking supplements for milk production
Before feeding breast milk to the baby, many mothers consume milk teas, eat lactation cookies or even take certain herbal supplements to increase breast milk production in the initial days after baby's birth. So, make sure to stop as having these could be a huge problem.
4. Cabbage leaves
There are a lot of researches that show cabbage can reduce milk supply, but it is usually suggested by lactation consultants and experts to prevent breast engorgement and reduce milk supply. There is also another theory which explains that the amnio acids present in cabbage can help in minimising tissue congestion by opening the capillaries. This helps in improving the blood flow in and out of the engorged breast, fighting inflammation and allowing the breast milk to flow more freely.
Also read: World Breastfeeding Week 2019: Breastfeeding Essentials Explained
5. Pump (but less) before feeding to avoid sucking breast
If your breasts feel uncomfortable, you can use a breast pump and express a little milk to relieve them. However, try to express the smallest amount of milk possible. Every time you remove milk, the breasts receive a message to produce more milk. You can use an electric breast pump to completely drain your breasts at the beginning of the day, then feed your baby instantly post that. All these tips can prove to be helpful in reducing too much breast milk production.
