I’m a first-time mother who has been struggling with breastfeeding for 6 months. First I thought my daughter’s constant pulling off and crying were due to low milk supply but when I took fenugreek, it got worse. I wonder if our issue might be oversupply. Is it too late to fix this problem?
NANCY MOHRBACHER, IBCLC: I’m sorry you two have had such a rough time! Your experience is proof that there really CAN be too much of a good thing. It’s definitely not too late! Many mothers end up with oversupply when they’re too diligent about pumping. How can you be sure of the cause of your problem? Your baby’s weight gain will tell you. If she is gaining twice or more the expected weight gain of 1 oz. per day during her first 4 months, it’s time to consider bringing down your milk production. If her weight gain is average, instead, consider it a milk-flow issue and adjust your nursing position so gravity gives her more control over the flow. See my blog post, The Dos and Don’ts of Block Feeding, for the specifics about these strategies.
Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA is a board-certified lactation consultant in the Chicago area who has been helping breastfeeding families since 1982. Her books for professionals are used worldwide. Her books for parents include Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers, which she co-authored with Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, and her tiny problem-solving guide, Breastfeeding Solutions In 2013, Nancy released her Breastfeeding Solutions smartphone app (available for Android and iPhones) to give mothers a quick, go-everywhere source of breastfeeding help. Nancy speaks at events around the world.
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