A Freezer Full of Milk

Mastitis, clogged ducts, painful feedings, engorgement, inverted nipples — these can all be caused due to oversupply.

I don’t say this to scare any new breastfeeding moms, but simply to INFORM.

I found myself right where you are 2 years ago. Scouring the internet. “How to increase supply.” What nobody told me and I wish so badly I would’ve known, supply and demand should be focused on the demand of the BABY not the demand of the FREEZER STASH!

I was a breastfeeding mom who had to go back to work after her FMLA ran out and my job needed me, so in my mind once my baby learned to latch and we caught back up to birthweight, I was all in for pumping and breastfeeding as often as I could! Around the clock, day in and day out.

I knew I needed to fill the freezer for my husband and still be able to nurse when I was home with baby so I put in overtime with milk making.

What I never would’ve admitted then but 100% will now, especially as a lactation counselor, with my oversupply all the “work” I was putting in was brutal! It was painful and required so much attention.

I suffered more clogged ducts than I can count, mastitis, continuous engorgement, my supply never leveled out & we had many painful feedings. I spent more time nursing and then pumping then I did anything else for the good part of a year. I had never been so exhausted yet so satisfied and it was so confusing to feel all of that at once.

My oversupply was unintentional yet very thought about and I hope that knowing you don’t NEED and oversupply to successfully breastfeed will help 1, 2, 3.. mamas to slow down, enjoy the journey and remember how hard you’re already working just to provide what you have to your baby! You don’t have to have a freezer full of milk and your baby doesn’t ever have to take a bottle, you are allowed to nurse around the clock as your baby demands and the internet is not always your friend! If you’re up late at night nursing your baby seraching for answers and watching all the videos of moms making massive amounts of milk, slow down and find yourself a lactation counselor that can not only give you real answers but also be a friendly face to reach out to anytime you start to question your milk or breastfeeding journey!

As a lactation counselor my job is to help you on your journey and be there for you every step of the way! I’ll give you the facts, fell you with tips and tricks and help you troubleshoot any feeding related issues you may be having.

Remember, it’s ok to have an empty freezer, as long as you are nursing your baby on demand and s/he is growing, gaining and on track, you’re doing JUST FINE!

I’m so glad you’re here —

     xoxo Chelyn McCain

              CLC - Latched & Loved