Too much am milk!

[marilyn73]

Hi there,
I have a 9 month old dd, EBF with solids since 6 months.
I BF her at 7:30, 11:30, 3:30, and 6:45 (bedtime).
Each dropped feed has been challenging due to engorgement, which I deal with by pumping as sparingly as possible (I don't want to encouragement more milk, just be comfortable until the 11:30 feed).  My body does not seem to adjust to the fact that she's needing less, and that has actually caused her to switch to single sided feeding in the am (which is what she did for the first 4 months), since there's sooo much milk.  If I can't get at least 2-3 minutes out of her on side #2, then I really do need to pump.
Any hints?  Still wearing a nursing bra all night.
We dropped the DF at 7.5 months, so it's been awhile on this routine.
Also dd is a really fast feeder - we're down to 10 min total, but have never been longer than 15 since birth.

[WhisperingHush]

The way I solved this was by pumping at night and in the am.  I was able to have about a month's supply of milk stored up, which was awesome.  Also, because pumping gets out less milk than the baby does it seemed to slow things down a bit and make me more comfortable.  I don't know if this is a solution for you, but just figured I'd offer.  Good luck.

[marilyn73]

What do you use all the milk for? Sippy cups? bottles? to mix with food?
I've stepped down my efforts to store milk, and just do it as needed to leave a bottle for DH and I to go out or something.  Pumping would definitely fix this problem, whether night or morning, but I was just getting to the point of not wanting to rely on it.  Every time we go somewhere, I'm afraid to leave the pump at home!
How old is your lo?

[alaroche]

Oh, I know exactly what you are going through.  It's not fun!  I have a 6 month old and have been battling with an oversupply since she was born.  I have had frequent plugged milk ducts as well but thankfully no mastitis.  I try as much as possible not to use the pump because I found that pumping increased my supply and I only used it if I had a plugged duct that needed working out. 
The best thing I discovered was sage tea.  I know that it's supposed to be used when weaning so you have to be very very careful with it because it is effective and it works fast.  When you are weaning I think the recommendation is 2-6 cups/day but I just had one tbsp. of sage steeped in a cup of boiling water for about 10 min and usually 1 cup was enough to cut the supply back to a comfortable place. 
Good luck! 

[WhisperingHush]

I nursed my first lo until 9 months and I worked three days a week so I needed a supply of milk for the nanny and, honestly, having a big supply gives me peace of mind.  I always say that those bags in the freezer symbolize "freedom."  I then nursed my second lo for 8 months and then used my month's supply to keep her on breastmilk for another month.  I do also use the milk for mixing with food etc. and while they are still on the df, I have my dh give it with pumped breastmilk. 

[marilyn73]

Thanks for the advice and support.  We're at 9.5 months of BF, and I don't return to work until dd is 1 year old. 
Whisperinghush, did you give your babes cow's milk or formula after a year, or continue on with the breast milk?  Haven't decided what I'm going to do then, but I certainly don't want to pump at lunch - I barely have enough time as it is, and where would I go?

[WhisperingHush]

I gave cow's milk.  I've read and been told by the doctor that the "toddler formula" is sort of a gimmick.  Cow's milk is fine and good for them after 12 months.  They can even have some cow's milk, yogurt, cheese before then (if I remember correctly at about 9 months).  Doctors just do not like to stress that because people get confused and think they can switch the milk feeds to cow's milk before 12 months and that is not appropriate.