Excessive Production

I've seen tons of postings about an inadequate supply but I've got the opposite issue. My 3 month old daughter Brooklyn is growing right on track with what she's supposed to, but my body seems to think that I gave birth to triplets, not one small 5 pound baby. I breastfed her during my 3 month maternity leave and then began pumping about 2 weeks ago while at work to provide milk for daycare.I pump 3 times a day at work (every 3 hours or so) to cover the 3 missed feedings while she is a daycare and I've been pumping a TON more than she's using at daycare. She averages 9-10 oz. for the 3 feedings at daycare and I'm pumping 18-20 oz. while at work. I've got over 100 oz. in my deep freeze at home and was just wondering if she's not getting enough at daycare or if what she takes in at daycare will ever match what I pump at work. I don't want to waste the excess milk but I'm not sure how long it will keep in my deep freezer... Should I consider making a donation to a local milk bank???

Thanks!!

[Diane1003]

From what I understand milk'll keep in a deep freeze for a year or so if not longer.  Sounds like you're a super producer!  You're very fortunate!  How does it work on the weekends - are you able to nurse your daughter and not pump/give bottles?   How much does she take in a bottle? You could always offer more in a bottle (increase what you offer now) to see if she'll take more. At work you could pump less by turning off the pump after you get 4/5 oz per session rather than 6 oz per session...?  I have a 10 month old and I produce more than he consumes.  When I pump at work I turn the pump off after I get about how much I know he takes in a feeding.  I've contacted milk banks near me but they don't want my milk b/c I take baby aspirin. I have heard mixed reviews of milk banks - if you decide to donate (which I think is honorable) be sure to research them so you are comfortable with it.  I'd hold off on considering to donate while your daughter is so young - you could also stop nursing and use expressed milk until your daughter is a year...  I've heard of some mothers using the expressed milk for cereal and milk when their child is old enough to do cereal (like Cheerios) in milk.  When your daughter starts a sippy cup or something you'll be able to use the milk in the freezer/fridge.

Congrats on all the success!  Of all the problems to have while nursing - this is a good problem!  ;-)

[tiredbuthappy]

my advice would be to either cut down to 2 pumps at work, or pump for shorter times. OR, you can keep freezing the milk if you have the space. At my peak, around 3-4 months post partum, i was producing 48-50 ounces/day, and my little one was only taking 28 oz or so. I was very greatful for that freezer supply when i decided to stop pumping at 6 1/2 months- i had a 2 month supply in the freezer.

tips for storing large quantities of milk in the freezer-
~when freezing bags, lay them flat. Once they're frozen, you can stand them upright in the freezer or stack them.
~Take those flat bags and store them in gallon sized ziplocks. Label the bags by month. This makes rotating the oldest milk to the front much easier. It also keeps everything organized. And, if there are any faulty bags (which does happen unfortunately), you have an extra layer of protection when thawing.

by the way, at 3 months, my little one was also still taking around 3 ounces in a feed, so it does sound like she's getting enough. she was always one to take smaller, more frequent feeds.