Oversupply is when a mother produces too much milk. While this sounds like a great thing it actually causes a unique set of problems for both mom and baby. For baby it can cause fussing and the breast, gas issues, spluttering and choking during feeding, and latch issues as baby tries to compensate for all the milk flow. For mom it can cause pain, reoccur ant mastitis and clogged ducts, and frustration! The first advice usually given to moms with oversupply is "stop pumping!!"
The reason we don't advise pumping with oversupply is that the pump is signaling your body to produce more milk. This causes the oversupply cycle to get worse. More milk gets produced so you have to keep pumping to help get the milk out. Repeat cycle. But what if you need to pump?
If you only need milk occasionally for a night out pumping a few days before the event would suffice to build up a small stash. If you want to pump to build up a freezer stash make sure to hold off on starting until after your milk supply is established and your oversupply is tamed a bit. usually this happens at 8 - 12weeks. Then add in 1 shorter pumping session a day, watching for signs oversupply is returning.
If you are a working mom with oversupply this is where things can actually sometimes work in your favor a bit. A few days before returning to work pump once a day to ensure you have enough milk on hand for your LO. Your first week back at work aim to pump every 2 - 3 hours. After the first few weeks gauge how much your LO drinks, how much you are pumping, and how you feel. Expect to feel engorgement the first weekend home. Try not to pump. If you notice after the first few weeks you are bringing home a lot more milk than you need try extending the time slowly. For example if your LO drinks 12oz when you are gone but you are pumping 20 - 25oz you can probably pump less frequently at work. Instead of every 2 - 3 hours aim for every 3 - 4 hours. This will also help with the feelings of engorgement on the weekend. Remember that your body will adjust to the pump so its normal to see a dip after a month of working and pumping. If you are ever concerned you can always add an extra pump session back in. When working and pumping with oversupply remember that when you stop pumping at work you will have to slowly back off of pumping sessions. Stopping cold turkey can be painful and cause mastitis. Aim to space out and shorten your work pumping sessions slowly over a period of a month aiming to get down to 1 very short 3 - 5 minute session before stopping. An initial adjustment period when you change your pumping schedule is normal!
Something to consider with oversupply and pumping, you could very well store WAAAAAYYYYY more milk than you will ever need. Please pay attention to the dates on your frozen milk and consider donating extra oz if you do not think you will need them. It is a beautiful and selfless way to help a mama who wants to avoid formula supplementation.
