Does anyone have any suggestions on how to reduce (not stop or dry up) my milk supply? Nicole never latched properly so…

@emilyinsd, that is frustrating! I had a few latch problems with my first baby. There are a lot of YouTube videos out there that are helpful. You are not a failure and I’m sorry they made you feel that way 😔 I would recommend to keep trying to latch her. Kellymom.com is a great breastfeeding resource that you can look at. I just know how time consuming pumping is!

My daughter would open up widely but suckle on the tip. She learned 3 months later. My nipple felt like it was going to fall off.

@roguemommyofjx3, maybe, but I had their pediatrician look, plus their LC, and 2 doctors after we got home

@emilyinsd a friend I know had her doctor check and at the hospital but they said no and the denist check and found her daughter had lip and tongue tie.

@roguemommyofjx3, I asked about that. Nothing like that. She does have a fluid pocket under her tongue that no one thought would be a problem. No one could figure out why she wouldn’t open her mouth more (unless she is screaming)

@emilyinsd could be a tongue tie or lip tie

@emilyinsd, at some point in motherhood we all feel like we are failing. Be kind to yourself and as long as you've tried your best, you're doing a great job. I don't think your baby will hold it against you lol but if you're determined, don't let anyone deter you. My LC tried to insist I needed to supplement but I was determined to give it my all and things turned around. I eventually didn't need to use the shield anymore and breastfed for almost 9 months

@cphelps39, I wish it was easy. Every time I tried to breast feed, I’d feel like a failure because she just wouldn’t latch. I also had a low supply at the start, hence my determination to produce enough for her. I clearly over shot that mark

People think breastfeeding is just so natural, so easy when it's not all the time. I had to use a shield bc one of my nipples was flat and she wouldn't latch. Bc of that I was getting engorged in that boob and had to pump. So I was really lopsided for a while. But a fed baby is best, however you get it done

@cphelps39, thanks

@roguemommyofjx3, @sheriffwoody, I tried a nipple shield in the hospital and she would only take the tip and the shield would invert and cover her nose. She just won’t open her mouth enough for her to eat. Even with the bottle we sometimes have to wiggle it into her mouth and by the time she’s full she finally has her mouth open wide enough. The nurses couldn’t figure out why she wouldn’t latch. And honestly some of the nurses ruined breastfeeding for me. I had one tell me it takes patience but she was too busy to help me. I had another constantly look at me like I’m doing it wrong but wouldn’t help me figure it out. I tried after we got home but she would only scream her head off. I’d love to be able to just pop a boob out to feed her because it would make life so much easier but I’m beyond frustrated about it. Im sure if a few of the nurses didn’t work there and I only felt with the ones I liked, I’d have a different attitude about my entire experience. But when one walks in (hubby was out with my permission) and in a snotty attitude says, “well now you’re awake” (I had her in the nursery too). It makes me feel like a failure. So right now I’m just proud to have a fed baby

Good luck!

@emilyasalde02, I’ll see if a combination of these will help reduce my supply. Thanks

@cphelps39, I’ve been trying to do this. I’m pumping over 12 oz total and am trying really hard to cut back.

Because of pumping so soon you your body created oversupply. After that first week you should have stopped pumping and gave her straight boobs. If you are a stay at home mom start to give her a haaka pump. When you get engorged instead of pumping use a haaka pump to catch the let down and massage your breast.

I’m currently exclusively breastfeeding but I’ve asked my doctor on how to stop when I’m ready to do so and basically, you just want to pump to relieve discomfort not completely because it will signal your body that it needs to make more, avoid wearing tight bras in case you do get engorged b/c you want to prevent mastitis, avoid hot showers b/c it allows you to have milk let downs, drink up b/c dehydration actually causes to start producing more milk. In case of pain and discomfort ibuprofen is recommended and obviously just take it day by day. Don’t do everything so suddenly as it can cause more pain. Hope that was helpful! Good luck (:

Spread your pumping sessions out and don't pump until you're empty.

So if you normally get 5-6 oz out each session, reduce it to like 4-5, then 3-4oz

I was doing 8oz out of one boob and 5 oz out the other so it was a long road for me

@emilyinsd, you can also try to get her to latch again if you want to try to breastfeed, a nipple shield would probably help with the transition. It will take a few more weeks for your supply to regulate.

@sheriffwoody, I never thought of that. I try to be regular but when things get busy, I sometimes just have to pump when I can. Thanks

Slowly start spreading out your pumping sessions. Ex: if you pump every 3 hours, try every 3 1/2 for a few days than 4 hours apart for a few days etc