hyperlactation / oversupply - possible causes? (UPdated!!) - Page 3

[TzippityDoulah]

today I am very engorged b/c yesterday he wanted to nurse all day long - growth spurt! anyhow I am jut going to drink some sage tea and let it work itself out. even though I'm uncomfortable today I think I'm totally within the realm of normal... or more normal. so yeah!

[BakerALM]

Originally Posted by HennyPenny

today I am very engorged b/c yesterday he wanted to nurse all day long - growth spurt! anyhow I am jut going to drink some sage tea and let it work itself out. even though I'm uncomfortable today I think I'm totally within the realm of normal... or more normal. so yeah!

Congrats on your baby boy!!!! I just saw this post and understand exactly what you are going through!!!! My babe actually went on a many month nursing strike due to my MASSIVE oversupply and INSANE Letdown, it was horrible. Sage was my savior also. I found that the tea is great to keep things at bay but if you want to make a larger difference more immediately just take the herb directly and wash it down with a glass of water. It is a bit crunchy but after just 3 days of that my breasts began to have some sag to them verses being hard as a rock all day. (I took about a half a teaspoon 2-3 times per day for 3 days and on the fourth morning I woke to find the breast that I had not nursed on for 12 hours was actually not is so much pain I thought my skin was going to rip, it was amazing!)

Now at 9mths since my little one was born and since I can feel AF starting to think about coming back my supply has regulated down. (I have about 1 week a month where I begin to see some cervical mucus and my supply drops dramatically for that week but never actually LOW just much less than I normally have.) I really think it is totally hormonal for me also, 12 hrs of block feeding was just barely putting a dent in my supply and if she went though a growth spurt everything would go way up again!

Keep at it, you will eventually get into a rhythm with your supply and learn how to keep it down. Just one thing I learned with this problem also can come a bad latch since they never really need to work to remove the milk from your breasts. Just keep a really close eye on his latch and your comfort level so he develops good nursing habits!

On a interesting note my little one really only nurses for about 1-5 mins at a time about every hr during the day. 5 mins is a REALLY REALLY long time for her to nurse but she still is happily fed and way above average on height and weight, I just find it amazing the milk can flow that fast!

[TzippityDoulah]

good idea about the sage! I will remember that!

for now I'm finding the sage combined with some cabbage in the bra is bringing a lot of relieffor the engorgement and it helps with the overactive/fast leftdown.

my other babies, like yours also only nursed for a couple of minutes before being done. but they also had TERRIBL Ereflux and a lot of pain. so I wanted to avoid that. I'm hoping to slow down my letdown with time and what not. So far my newest boy only spits up a tiny bit when I'm extra extra full so I'm hopeful!

thanks for writing with ideas and sympathy

oh!! I just realized you mentioned AF - I have never gotte my AF during breastfeeding. I stopped nursing at 12 months with my first and didn't get my AF until 18 months. and I stopped nursing at 6 months with my daughter (b/c she had som devlopemental problems preventing her from nursing, sadly) and my AF came at 11 months. I think it's b/c of the hormonal relationship with hyperlactation.

I'm wondering if I get more regulated if my period will come sooner? gosh I hope not! heh

[Aka mommy]

Congrats on the birth!!!

I fight Hyperlactation with all of my births, it really has me to the point now, where i think we are done for fear of ever going through this again. This last pregnancy was a surrogacy and i gave birth on the 25th of april, i thought surely my mastitis and hyperlactation issues were not going to happen as i would never have a baby to my breast. WRONG. . . and now i am stuck exclusively pumping. Let me tell you, it is no better then dealing with a baby at the breast.

So far, i've been on sage tincture, belladonna tablets, cabbage leaves, and Claritin D. It's not touching my production. I didnt pump, my milk came in regardless and it was so bad that i finally had to go rent a pump because i got mastitis within 24 hours of my milk coming in. So then i had to pump out the infection (was getting 10 ounces per pump session) by the 5th day after giving birth. I went on antibiotics for the mastitis as nothing homeopathic was working, continued pumping but was spacing it out about 4 hours. 2 weeks post partum now and i have my pumping spread out to 4 to 5 hours, its the furthest ive been able to stretch it without the mastitis rapidly coming back.

Now i have battled 2 cases of mastitis, a case of relentless thrush (from the abx) and im getting annoyed and down as heck. I actually came on here to find other suggestions for drying up, but im not finding much of anything. I am currently pumping and dumping because of the thrush and my milk is a complete waste. Hyperlactation is the bane of my existance right now, so i feel your pain literally. Hugs to you

I wanted to say i dont eat beef or dairy, so i know its not due to hormones from outside foods. I did fight PCOS in my early 20s and whenever im not pregnant and i had hyperthyroid issues after the birth of my last daughter. Ironically my prolactin levels are in the normal range when im not pregnant or breastfeeding (i was heavily screened as a surrogate). So really, i dont know what the common denominate is with hyperlactation, but im curious to know because i feel the same. If i can figure it out, i can treat it and avoid it and not be scared of having another child.

[tmareeh]

Congrats

I just wanted to say congrats to you on the birth of your baby. I hope you are both doing well.

I think you have already gotten many good suggestions. The only things I would add are to increase the time you are block nursing. I know you did say that you were block nursing, but you didn't indicate exactly what that meant. If using one breast for 3 or 4 hours isn't enough, try 6 or 8 hours or even 12 hours before switching.

Also, I think the reason it can become such a problem for the baby is that they are getting this huge amount of foremilk and not enough hindmilk. Their tiny tummies get so full before they can get to the hindmilk. So, you could try latching baby (or manually getting the letdown going) then take baby off for a minute while the gush of milk comes out. Then relatch baby, so he can have a better chance of getting to the hindmilk and emptying the breast.

The last suggesstion I have might not be too popular, but you could consider using a pacifier for baby's non-nutritive sucking once baby's latch is well-established (after several weeks). I'm not pro-pacifier or anything, but in YOUR situation it could be helpful. If baby is needing a lot of sucking it could really make your issues worse.

I would not think pumping would be a good remedy in your case. Anytime you remove milk, your body thinks it needs to be replaced. If you want baby to have a bottle, you could try the above measure and just "catch" the milk in a bottle for him.

Good Luck!

[TzippityDoulah]

tmareeh-

thanks

to answer your questions- I block feed about every 6-8 hrs. I'm working my way towards 8-10. it does for sure help. I have large breasts (ugh) so I look so uneven by the end of the block! lol but whatever. it works so I'm happy.

the block feedin really helps with the foremilk/hindmilk balance. if I don't block feed I end up with a gassy burpy crying baby with explosive farts and poops. Since this is my third baby I knew to look for that right away. which somoene had told me that with my first! on how he suffered!!

We DO use a pacifier. I've had to with every kid. I am not a huge fan either, but I can't let them use me as a pacifier or I will choke them with the next feeding! so for their own good we've started paci's in the first week with all 3. no nipple confusion thankfully. I just feel a tad guilty about giving them the plastic. but hey, I'm just REALLY thankful to be able to breastfeed!!

I acually have a to pump a little. if I don't my nipples are too hard and the letdown is too strong. I only pump twice a day at most... and not enough to empty my breasts. just at the end of each block cycle i soften the other breast a little to prepare it for it's turn heh. I tried not pumping with my last kid and things were so much worse. the first kid I pumped constantly so I made enough milk to feed nations and i was in so much pain. I'm finding the middle ground works best.

I'm realizing cabbage is my friend. I must use it for atleast a few hours a day. I ran out of sage tea today and the HFS didn't have more! ack! so I'm hoping i can make it another day or two with out it. I'm coming down with a NASTY so I'm taking a wee bit of sudafed - which dries up milk. I hate that stuff but atleast it's helping in that respect. I just worry about it going through my milk to baby. doesn't seem to bother him too much... but those kinds of meds wig me out.

[EdnaMarie]

Aka mama, I am so sorry about your situation. Sending your way.

HennyPenny, glad to hear it is getting better. My supply evened out around that time and now is more or less normal although my baby still hates letdown. But it is more a normal oversupply, not like this massive crazy leakage I had with DD#1.

I eat and was eating only organic beef and dairy and I don't think that's it because I know PLENTY of people who eat God knows what and have supply problems, as in, low supply.

i had hyperthyroid issues after the birth of my last daughter

Hm. This should be looked into. It must be a hormone thing, it MUST, but where is it coming from?

HP, any thyroid tests done for you?

[TzippityDoulah]

yeah... i get tested every so often b/c we have hashimotos in our family and my dad developed cancer and had his removed. it's always normal. but i also eat well and try to keep it healthy b/c of it being in issue for so many in my family.

[sattygirl99]

Hey mama... I see you are using sage ... What about peppermint? Peppermint is supposed to be useful in drying out supply... REAL peppermint though... Like Altoids. Even toothpaste has pepermint in it but something like Altoids are pure peppermint.

I'm glad things seem to be settling in for you! I hope you have better luck this go around than previous ones! Congrats on your new baby!!!

[TzippityDoulah]

Originally Posted by sattygirl99

Hey mama... I see you are using sage ... What about peppermint? Peppermint is supposed to be useful in drying out supply... REAL peppermint though... Like Altoids. Even toothpaste has pepermint in it but something like Altoids are pure peppermint.

I'm glad things seem to be settling in for you! I hope you have better luck this go around than previous ones! Congrats on your new baby!!!

I have an allergy to peppermint so I can't use that one unfortunately. I hear it really helps some people though. thanks for your thoughts!

[EdnaMarie]

nak

hp do you get tested while pregnant? i heard (on here) that preg. may lower thyroid levels. Mine is normal during preg. but have yet to test after...

[TzippityDoulah]

no actually that's a good point. I never did get tested while pregnant. my AK "tests" me... but that is only so reliable.

[Aka mommy]

My thyroid results kept coming back, the normal panel that they do is not very intensive. They had to run the full gamit, i cannot remember the specifics but can let you know if you'd like. Though im sure with Hashimotos in your history that they are doing a proper panel.

[Aka mommy]

Any updates as i see your little one is 5 months old now? Ironically i'm pregnant again, don't ask we are surprised too lol. But i'm about 7 months along now and DREADING birth simply because of my hyperlactation issues. Shortly after my last posts i was pumping over 120 oz AND my left breast is damaged, a few ducts collapsed. After my 3rd case of mastitis i went on another round of abx, benedryl and it took me about 2 weeks to dry up finally. So i'm hopeful to hear how it worked out for you.

Also, how did you block feed without causing mastitis in the other breast? Did you pump that breast out? Oddly enough, i produce the same amount of milk regardless if i pump or not . . . but if i don't pump i am bound to get mastitis.

[jaclynallen]

Frustrated too

I can so understand your frustration! We are planning to get pregnant again soon, and with my son (now 18 months) I had hyperlactation although certainly not as severe as your case. In my situation, no one knew what was wrong and after going to see lactation nurses a number of times, at 3 months in, I finally resorted to pumping exclusively until he was 13 months old. I did research and found info on block feeding, positioning, etc. but I too would like a way to suppress or cure this. I had PPD and am still on medicine for that even after 18 months of it. I also have heavy period and severe PMS. I had a left oopherectomy (meaning I only have my right ovary left) when I was 14 or so and then when I was in my early twenties, birth control started making me sick. I really do think it is hormonal, but wish SOMEONE could help with this rather than just treating this. I agree we need more research.

I realize this is a treatment rather than cure, but thought it might help some people who are also struggling with this.

Description of FDBF
The treatment sequence starts with an as-complete-as-possible mechanical drainage of both breasts. It is impossible to really empty an active, lactating breast completely, because the production of milk is an ongoing process. Emptying the breast is a major trigger for renewed production activity. Manual expression is a possibility, too, but in most cases mechanical extraction will work more efficiently and rapidly, especially if a simultaneous double pump is used. The infant will latch on immediately after drainage and will be offered both "empty" breasts to satisfaction. Many infants will fall asleep fully satisfied with high fat hindmilk, many for the first time. Subsequently the rest of the day is divided into equal time blocks starting with about three hours, initially. Every time the infant shows hunger cues or other signs of interest in the breast the same breast will be offered without any restriction in either frequency or duration of feeds. At the end of such a time block, or after a multi-hour period of sleep, baby will be offered the other breast for all feeds within the next time block. It is important that the best possible positioning and efficient latching techniques be used starting right from the very first feeding after pumping, for the sake of both the baby's improved suckling habits and the mother's comfort and future production. Depending on the seriousness of the symptoms time blocks may gradually be increased to 4, 6, 8 or even 12 hours. For less complex situations one-time mechanical drainage will suffice; for others occasional repetition may be necessary. Intervals between drainage will gradually increase as the symptoms lessen.
Mothers must be cautioned not to drain the breasts too often in order to avoid extra stimulation for milk production. Only if engorgement is becoming severe again should another drainage be carried out. In using FDBF the mother will need to be instructed, cautioned and monitored for temporarily recurring over-fullness and plugged ducts or mastitis. After the first full drainage, in some women the breasts will initially continue to produce more than asked for and thus refill. In many others just a single full drainage will suffice to decrease milk production to acceptable levels.

[TzippityDoulah]

I just had to update! My baby boy is 18 months now and I am still nursing him!! I am SO excited! I put and incredible amount of work, prayer and tears into it and it all paid off. I am SO happy that I now almost take nursing for granted. Thank you all for your support, and kindness and encouragement. My son and I both thank you! I am So excited to have made it to 18 months I could just cry!

[EdnaMarie]

HennyPenny I am so happy for you!  We are also to 18 months though with this one I didn't have it nearly as bad.  Wearing a sports bra did help and though I had some plugged ducts along the way, lots of hot showers and preventative massages helped.  I'm lucky not to have it like you all... if I were to have another I now feel confident enough to pump a little.

Oddly enough, i produce the same amount of milk regardless if i pump or not . . . but if i don't pump i am bound to get mastitis.

In your case, it sounds like a serious hormonal issue.  If I were you I'd take the minipill to see if that didn't dry me up a bit.

[TzippityDoulah]

I'm terrified of anything that messes with my cycle for a few reasons. but honestly I don't have any issues right now with the hyperlactation whatsoever so I'm good for the time being ;)   Glad you are doing well too!

[5gifts]

I realized this post was old as I started reading....but celiac in your dd was mentioned & I didn't catch if you eat gluten. But for anyone else reading, I believe in some people, cutting out gluten REALLY makes supply more  manageable.