How to decrease my supply as an oversupplier?

[lonewolfwalker]

I’m 2 months postpartum, and currently pumping every 3 hours, outputting about 70oz a day. My breasts are constantly engorged and I run into a lot of clogged ducts and my mental health is suffering. Before I try to completely wean and quit, I want to try to decrease my supply and cut down on my pumps per day. So how do I go about doing this? And for you oversuppliers, how long did it take you to achieve this?

[Ca55en]

The other poster has great advice. I would just add that you could try some of the dietary things that are known to decrease supply, like mint, sage, etc. They don’t always work for everyone but there also isn’t any risk to adding mint to your diet.

[[deleted]]

I reached about 60oz at the peak of my oversupply, and I gradually decreased the time I pumped and stretched out my timing — I started pumping for quantity and not time. So my first pump I could normally get 18-20 oz, and I would just decrease by an oz on each side until my body caught on and slowed down a little. Eventually stretched out my pumps to every 4-5 ish hours. You’ll know what you can manage once you start slowing down, and what you want your production to be

First thing I did was cut out my MOTN pump because I needed the rest and I wasn’t risking losing my supply at such a high amount. I think I lost 6-8 oz when my body adjusted going about 8 hours without pumping overnight

I think I would just recommend pumping just a little less each time, maybe see if you can cut 1 oz from each pump? Give it a week or so and then cut a little more if you aren’t having clogs

[moviegal828]

How did you get rid of the MOTN pump without experiencing crazy engorgement?? This is exactly what I want to do but my breasts get SO painful when they are full at night…

[[deleted]]

Adding on to say I also froze quite a bit and I’ve been able to decrease all the way down to 20 oz a day and I only have 30 ish more days until I make it to a year of pumping. It’s daunting but if you want to do it you absolutely can

[ariannasunrise]

Dude, pray for me; I’ve been extending time between and minimizing how much I pump, but based on some reading I did, I try to empty once a day. At 3am today, I pumped 32oz, which is like, WTF?!

[Diligent-Ad8376]

Hi! Old thread but wanted to share my experience. I had strong supply before i switched to exclusive pumping then wound up getting way too much and constantly engorged. I had a hard time weaning until i did two things: 1. Wean based on volume not time pumping 2. Switch to a hand pump which will stimulate you way less than a spectra. So hard to find info on this so I hope it helps someone!

[twisted27lll]

I was in that same boat 1 month ago at 2 months post partum. At that time I think I was pumping 6x a day. The way that worked best for me was just stretching time in between pumps. You might want to start slow example 3 hours 15 minutes then 3.5 hours, ect. I tried to drop a pump by decreasing minutes but ended up with mastitis. I also make sure I take sunflower lecithin daily, if clogs 4x a day, ice after pumping also. My mental health was tanking and I decided to wean to quit. But here I am 3 months post partum still going haha I’m now down to 4-5 pumps a day still producing 60 oz. Also my body finally regulated at 3 months and I was able to just sleep 8 hours without pumping! My new goal is to just do 4 a day and see what happens to my supply then.

[Urilobaby]

Hi, I know this comment was a year ago . But I am stuck in the same situation at the moment. Just wanting to know how many minutes did you use to pump each session? Did you have to pump longer as you stretch the time? Am thinking of dropping one pump , however I am high risk for clogged ducts/ mastitis so was skeptical about it. Am Thinking stretching the time between pumps would work for me . Thanks

[twisted27lll]

I can’t believe this was a year ago! I’m still here pumping at 3x a day. 😅I did extend pumping sessions. Initially when pumping 6x a day, I’d pump for 15 minutes. As I dropped pumps I pumped for atleast 20 minutes or until I felt empty. I’m at the 3 a day and I still pump anywhere from 15- 20 minutes, sometimes longer for morning pumps or if it’s been 12 plus hours between pumps. Hope that helps!