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| Marie Davis RN IBCLC |
Too much milk? |
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This page has recently been expanded, updated and rewritten. You have arrived here through an old link. New pages on this topic include Oversupply Syndrome and ColicTwo Kinds of Milk? Not really...More on oversupply
The reader is strongly encouraged to get the assistance of a Qualified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or their baby's physician in the treatment of Oversupply Syndrome. For professionals see: Lactation Clinic Protocol General Information: Kittie Frantz once called me "The Queen of Oversupply." I don't really know if that is true ;-) but we have been researching this phenomenon in my medical center's lactation clinic since 1989. We have collected data on several thousand moms and babies. I also collect data from my private practice and Internet contacts. Colic? Very few medical providers recognize that colic could be caused from an oversupply of mother's milk. I believe that this is because our culture generally believes that women don't make enough milk. In the past, when feedings were strictly controlled and done by the clock, women did have low milk supply problems. Now that mothers are better educated about breastfeeding, oversupply colic is more common yet remains unrecognized. Another problem is that our culture also strongly believes that what mothers eats and/or drinks causes colic in the baby. Often women are needlessly put on restricting elimination diets before other causes have been explored. Oversupply Syndrome was first described as Overactive Letdown by Andurusiak and Kuzenko in 1987. As previously stated, our work suggests that Oversupply Syndrome is the most common cause of colic - like symptoms in breastfed infants. Breastmilk synthesis research by Hartman, et al, seems to support this theory. Hartman found that some women produce very large amounts of foremilk every hour. This may be why some women and infants are highly affected by this syndrome especially if they are switching breasts frequently, not allowing baby to set the pace of the feeding, not "finishing the first breast first" or by imposing set times for the frequency and duration of feedings. The symptoms may be related to multiple causes other than just the high concentration of lactose in foremilk: the baby may be getting too much milk too fast, swallowing air, may have an high volume intake of milk overall or have high volume of foremilk intake and/or lack of an adequate intake of hindmilk at feedings. Initial oversupply with onset of mature milk production causes some babies to be fussy during the first week. One study talked about complete drainage of the breasts as a treatment for too much milk, In van Veldhuizen-Staas's report, of the 4 cases presented, only one (case 4) was not during the first 2 weeks post-partum when I expect oversupply a a normal part of Lactogenesis stage II Case 1 nine days old With severe engorgement present and flowing milk a complete pump-out is something many of us began recommending to prevent a feedback response, (which could severely hamper a mother's milk supply further down the line) during the period when her breasts are laying down prolactin receptors,. But to accept this as a general recommendation for treatment is not acceptable. We have a blanket policy in out clinic not to "treat" prior to 3 weeks of age. Mother's milk supply is in a state of constant flux in the first weeks. How feedings (breast emptying) is handled or mis-handled will have physiological consequences which affect milk production later on. Good breast pumps are now available for purchase Colic symptoms normally appear at 3 to 4 weeks of age. Once the cycle is broken, colic symptoms lessen significantly or disappear within 72 hours in the majority of our patients. A select few require further intervention. Fore-milk hind-milk imbalance
Early treatment of Oversupply Syndrome can prevent months of living with colic - like behavior, possible early weaning and/or lack of weight gain after 4 months of age.
Copyright Marie Davis, RN, IBCLC 1999
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The First 4 Weeks: Baby
Other Issues
Last Reviewed: Saturday, February 11, 2012 11:14 AM
Questions After The First 4 Weeks Storage of EMM (Expressed Mother's Milk)
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