Occasionally, you will produce more milk than your baby needs. This may seem like a good problem, but too much milk can make feedings taxing and uncomfortable for both you and your baby.
There are a few ways to tell if your baby is receiving too much milk, but the number one indicator is if your baby has a green, watery or foamy, stool. They may also gulp, choke or sputter during feedings due to the rush of milk and have increased gas and tummy aches. Spitting up more than usual may also be an indicator. This happens when your baby is receiving too much foremilk and not enough hindmilk.
You can do several things to help decrease your milk supply, just be careful to not decrease it too much.
- Place cabbage leaves in your bra three times a day for 10 to 15 minutes to help decrease swelling.
- If you are pumping after feedings, stop. You are telling your body to keeping producing milk by pumping after a feeding.
- If your breasts are very full prior to feeding you can hand express a very small amount of milk to help decrease firmness.
Please leave a comment if you have any other questions or join us for the next Breastfeeding Community Gathering on Thursday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to noon in the Shannon Women’s & Children’s Center family room (3rd floor), 201 E. Beauregard.
