So. Much. Milk.

[MamaBunny2]

This is my first experience breastfeeding and so far it's going great! However, I have TONS and TONS of milk. I returned to work when my LO was six weeks old and pump three times during my day - my half hour lunch and two 15 minutes breaks. The most I've pumped during my work day was 25 ounces. I leave my LO three 4 ounce bottles a day. Sometimes he takes all three but typically just two. I always have more than enough milk pumped for the next work day. Anyways, when I pump I always have to cut it short... like even during the half hour pump I will still have milk flowing when it's time for me to return to work. I decided over the weekend to pump my right breast, mainly because it was engorged but I also wanted to see how long it took to empty it if I could. I ended up filling a 5 ounce bottle to the near top and had to stop the pump with milk still flowing. I should've used an 8 ounce bottle but didn't think I'd get that much, especially with it being in the afternoon (I've read production decreases as the day goes on). Well, I grabbed that bottle later that night so I could portion it into bottles for LO to have during my work day. I noticed it was much thicker at the top where the fat was. And when I poured it into another bottle it has clumps of fat in it. Now I feel like because I can't empty my breasts well enough that LO isn't getting the real good, fatty hindmilk. He's gaining weight just fine but I feel like I can do better for him. I already have oversupply, so I'm afraid pumping until I'm empty will make that worse but... I want that fat! You'd think because I'm not emptying my breasts fully that my supply would regulate by now. Any suggestions, info, tips, experiences?

 

[noon_child]

Fore milk and hind milk is a bit misunderstood. The phrase comes from the dairy industry, but cows have completely different mammary systems to people!!

All milk has fat in, so if your LO is gaining weight I wouldn't worry about it; he's obviously getting what he needs.

If you make milk very quickly you'll never be able to "empty" your breasts because prolactin will ensure they make milk WHILE you are pumping, and yes if you do it for longer your body will think it needs to make more, leading to further engorgement.

Milk made in 'empty' breasts (ie NOT engorged) has more fat in, so if you DID get worried about his weight you'd be better to pump more frequently but for less time.

As it stands it doesn't sound like anything is wrong.