What can I do if my milk supply doesn’t slow down?
If your breasts are still producing a surplus of milk, it is likely that your baby is not latching on properly .
If your baby can't latch on well, she may need to feed more often than those babies who can. Very frequent feeds may keep your milk production levels high for a while. This can happen even though milk is accumulating in your breasts.
Ask your midwife or health visitor if they can refer you to a breastfeeding specialist. A specialist can help you latch your baby on properly. You can also read our step by step guide to breastfeeding, or use our A-Z list of breastfeeding organisations for further sources of help.
If your baby is latching on well but your breasts still feel too full, you could try using only one breast for two to four feeds. Put your baby to your breast as many times as she wants to feed, just make sure you use the same breast for up to a two-hour period. You can then pump your other breast (but only a little) to relieve pressure.
This technique should reduce your milk supply within a day or two. Keep an eye on your baby's weight in the following week, if you do this.
If your baby can't latch on well, she may need to feed more often than those babies who can. Very frequent feeds may keep your milk production levels high for a while. This can happen even though milk is accumulating in your breasts.
Ask your midwife or health visitor if they can refer you to a breastfeeding specialist. A specialist can help you latch your baby on properly. You can also read our step by step guide to breastfeeding, or use our A-Z list of breastfeeding organisations for further sources of help.
If your baby is latching on well but your breasts still feel too full, you could try using only one breast for two to four feeds. Put your baby to your breast as many times as she wants to feed, just make sure you use the same breast for up to a two-hour period. You can then pump your other breast (but only a little) to relieve pressure.
This technique should reduce your milk supply within a day or two. Keep an eye on your baby's weight in the following week, if you do this.
What can I do if my baby is refusing my breast altogether?
If your baby is getting upset and refusing your breast altogether, it's important to get help from a breastfeeding specialist. A specialist will help you to latch your baby on successfully.
In the early days of breastfeeding, you might simply need a bit more practice. Or you may find that it is easier to latch your baby on to one side rather than another.
While you’re still getting the hang of it, if your baby is getting distressed and refusing your breast you could express your milk. Then give it to her in a bottle. This may help your baby to feed calmly without becoming upset.
Gradually, you can reduce the expressed feeds and your baby can go back to just feeding from your breast. Once your baby is latching on well, you should find that she is able to cope with the flow of milk.
If you continue to express more milk than your baby needs, one option is to help babies in special care units whose mums aren't able to breastfeed. You can do this by donating your surplus milk to a milk bank.
In the early days of breastfeeding, you might simply need a bit more practice. Or you may find that it is easier to latch your baby on to one side rather than another.
While you’re still getting the hang of it, if your baby is getting distressed and refusing your breast you could express your milk. Then give it to her in a bottle. This may help your baby to feed calmly without becoming upset.
Gradually, you can reduce the expressed feeds and your baby can go back to just feeding from your breast. Once your baby is latching on well, you should find that she is able to cope with the flow of milk.
If you continue to express more milk than your baby needs, one option is to help babies in special care units whose mums aren't able to breastfeed. You can do this by donating your surplus milk to a milk bank.
