Breast milk is AMAZING! It provides all the nutrients a baby needs to grow and thrive.
But breastfeeding is not easy by any means. It’s tough to keep up with the demand of a growing baby whose appetite grows stronger every week.
While your baby was eating 2 ounces or less at birth, he or she is now eating 4 to 6 ounces at each feeding months later.
When baby starts eating more it can be hard for the body to keep up with the demand.
Thankfully, I’ve been successful in producing enough break milk for my baby plus more each day!
Yes, I’ve been blessed with oversupply of breast milk exclusively pumping with my second child.
Many days I average around 50 ounces, but usually range between 40 and 50 ounces per day exclusively pumping!
Although it’s not easy to maintain this high supply, there are many secrets I have to keep producing 50 ounces a day.
If you want to increase your supply and learn the secrets of oversupply that work for me, then keep reading!
Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you click on them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
A Side Note: First off, I want to say that with my first child I experienced low milk supply. By three months postpartum I was barely producing 6 ounces a day and had to supplement with formula. Now with my second child who is almost three months old, I am averaging around 45 ounces a day.
So I have experienced both ends of the breastfeeding spectrum.
Secondly, when a mother has either low or oversupply of breast milk all depends on a variety of factors.
I was not expecting to produce breast milk at all with my second child and just assumed my baby would be formula fed. Although I wanted to breastfeed, I believe fed is best.
Thirdly, what works for me for increasing and maintaining a high supply may not work for you! Every women is different. But here is everything I do to produce such an oversupply of breast milk!
How To Maintain An Oversupply Of Breast Milk Exclusively Pumping
1. Double Pump
With my first child I only purchased a single pump. Honestly, I think a single pump is kind of a waste of money. I would much rather pay more for a high quality double pump!
I bought the Medela Pump In Style Advance Double Pump. This pump has by far paid for itself!
Whether you’re a working mom or a stay at home mom this pump is perfect for any mother.
The pump comes in a tote with everything you need to pump including a battery pack, an insulated cooler and an ice pack. It’s made specifically for any mother on the go!
Along with a double pump I also made it easier on myself by purchasing two pumping bras.
If you exclusively pump (or plan to) a double pump will cut down on time and will yield more breast milk.
If you are breastfeeding but still plan to pump at times, you can breastfeed on one breast and pump on the other to produce more breast milk.
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2. Feed Your Boobs!
Have you ever heard the phrase “You are what you eat?” This question rings true when it comes to breast milk. The foods you consume can either increase or decrease your milk supply.
If you want to increase your supply you need to eat foods that increase the production of breast milk!
Whenever I feel my supply is running on the low side I immediately start to feed my boobs by having extra helpings of the following:
- Oatmeal- Releases oxytocin and relaxin to increase milk flow.
- Brewer’s Yeast– Contains the fungus saccharomyces cerevisiae to boost milk supply.
- Garlic– Promotes lactation.
- Coconut Oil- High in saturated fat and lauric acid to increase breast milk.
All four of these are easy to add into your daily diet and work effectively in helping me maintain my oversupply of breast milk.
As soon as I notice a small decrease in milk supply, I immediately take action and make 2 cups worth of oatmeal and combine it with 2 Tablespoons of organic unrefined coconut oil.
3. Bodyarmor Superdrink
You may have heard of this little breast milk boosting hack from Pinterest.
Many breastfeeding moms are claiming that Bodyarmor Superdrinks increased their milk supply fast!
So I put the Bodyarmor drinks to the test!
I am happy to report that they do indeed give you a little extra output when you’re needing it most!
If I see my supply during one of my pumping sessions is lower than normal I quick grab a Bodyarmor Superdrink to rehydrate quickly to boost my supply for the next pumping session.
I normally produce about 6 ounces every three hours at each pumping session (but this does vary by more or less sometimes).
When I pump 4 ounces or less I become extremely paranoid that my supply is dwindling and drink a Bodyarmor to bring my next pumping session back up to 6 ounces or more.
Although no one really knows why this little hack works… It’s a game changer for me!
I believe it’s because the Bodyarmor drinks contain coconut water, electrolytes, 700 mg’s of potassium along with 100% of the daily value of B vitamins along with vitamins A, C and E.
Simply stated: Bodyarmor drinks provide maximum hydration to your body (and boobs) to increase or maintain breast milk supply quickly! Plus with the many different flavors, they taste amazing!
4. Massage
Sometimes this doesn’t always get done with every pumping.
Since I pump every three hours I have to change/feed/burp my baby at the same time. It’s not easy!
But most of the time I massage my breasts before and during pumping.
Massaging the breasts will help with a faster letdown and allows you to get a few extra drops that add up in the end.
Since I have an oversupply of breast milk exclusively pumping I’m constantly fighting off clogged ducts.
When I start to feel a painful lump, I lightly massage that area more.
To encourage letdown and output, just massage lightly in a downward stroke.
If you have heavier breasts (like me), don’t forget to massage underneath your breast.
I find I get clogged milk ducts under the breast faster than anywhere else!
Instead of using your hands to massage, sometimes it’s easier and more efficient to use a lactation massager.
There are many different features to them including heat and vibration to assist with clogged ducts and mastitis.
This is the lactation massager I have and it’s a game changer!
5. Heat
Heat has the incredible ability to not only help with letdown, but to help alleviate pain from engorgement and clogged milk ducts.
With an oversupply of breast milk I get engorged more times than I like to be.
When engorgement occurs I use heat to relieve the pain and create a faster letdown.
There are many ways to apply heat to the breasts:
- Go into the bathroom and run a hot shower for 5 to 10 minutes to create moist heat.
- Place a warm wet towel over your breasts
- Put a towel in the dryer on high heat, then apply to breasts
- Use heated breast pads around the flanges of your pump
- Place a regular heating pad on your breasts before pumping/breastfeeding
Honestly, I’ve used all five of these methods and using heated breast pads while pumping works the best by far!
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6. Pump Regularly
By ‘regularly’ I mean stick to a ridged schedule! Nothing good comes from skipping pumping sessions too often.
Overtime this only results in a lowered milk supply.
To keep up with my oversupply of breast milk, I have to pump!
I have gone times when I was unable to pump for five hours, and I was in so much pain!
With an oversupply of breast milk (exclusively pumping) I’m faced with engorgement and clogged duct issues often.
That’s why I stick to a strict schedule of pumping every three hours. This includes nighttime pumping’s as well.
I would love to drop a nighttime pumping, but unfortunately my boobs won’t allow it, so I’m still pumping every three hours throughout the night.
My everyday pumping schedule typically looks like this:
Pump at- 12 am, 3 am, 6 am, 9 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm, 9 pm
7. Pump Longer
Creating enough or an oversupply of breast milk is all about supply and demand.
The more you pump or breastfeed, the more milk you will produce.
To keep the supply going I will make sure to empty my breasts, then pump five to 10 minutes longer.
Or as long as my nipples can handle it.
By doing this I’m signaling my body to keep producing enough breast milk.
8. Pump One Side
Although I fully believe you should always pump both breasts at once, there are certain times when you still need extra pumping sessions or longer sessions for one breast.
This normally occurs when one breast is not producing as much milk as the other breast (AKA “Slacker Boob”).
A slacker boob happens when one breast starts producing much less than the other.
It’s normal to have a slight difference in milk output between two breasts.
That variation is usually between 1 and 1.5 ounces.
But if one breast is producing 4 ounces and the other is only producing 1 ounce, then you need to begin pumping longer on just the one side.
You don’t have to overdue it. Five minutes longer on one side after every pumping session until the “slacker boob” catches up with the other breast.
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9. Good Nipple Cream
Nipple cream is a MUST! Whether you’re pumping or breastfeeding, your nipples take a beating!
With an oversupply of breast milk I deal with another issue… Cracked nipples!
I turn my pump volume down, but it still happens occasionally.
Especially on days that I am over 30 ounces by 12 in the afternoon.
It sucks and it’s hard to continue to pump or breastfeed without a quality nipple cream.
I’ve used many different kinds, but here are the brands I love the most!
- Organic Breastfeeding Cream by Earth Mama
- Happy Mama Organics Nipple Cream
- Era Organics Nipple Cream
Final Thoughts On Oversupply Of Breast Milk Exclusively Pumping
Since having low supply because of latch issues with my first child, I’m proud to be able to produce breast milk for my second child!
Because of low supply issues the first time around, I’m extremely paranoid about losing my milk supply.
Therefore, every time I have a slight decrease, I’m on top of it! I do everything I can to keep my oversupply of breast milk exclusively pumping.
The 9 tips above have helped me maintain an oversupply of breast milk for over six months now.
But not all of these tips will work for you. Every mother is different.
It doesn’t matter if you produce just enough or a little more, just be proud of every drop of breast milk you’re giving your baby!
Works Cited
Oatmeal for breast milk
Brewer’s yeast while breastfeeding