There are many ups and downs when it comes to breastfeeding. We often hear about latch issues, painful feeding experiences, and concerns about not making enough milk. Another common occurrence is breastmilk oversupply. Although this might be an excellent problem, it also has disadvantages. Here, we’ll explore why this issue occurs and share some solutions that can help with it.
What Is Milk Oversupply?
Oversupply of breastmilk, also termed hyperlactation, doesn’t have a precise definition. The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM), however, describes it as the production of breast milk in excess volume required for the growth of a healthy infant based on international standards. The average healthy infant consumes 450-1,200 milliliters of breastmilk daily, so production volumes higher than this may represent hyperlactation.5
Oversupply of breastmilk can look different for everyone. Some signs of oversupply may include:1,2
- Your baby coughing, choking, or gulping at the breast
- A feeling of a strong or forceful let-down
- Full or engorged breasts after or shortly after a feeding
- Frequent episodes of clogged ducts or mastitis
Common Causes of Breastmilk Oversupply
You might be thinking, “I thought my body made the perfect amount of milk for my baby,” which is usually accurate. But in some cases, we send cues to our bodies to produce more milk. Common causes of oversupply include extra pumping to build up a freezer supply, increase milk supply, or relieve pressure from your already full breasts.1
The “supply and demand” theory comes into play here. I like to phrase this theory as “demand and supply” because the demand is what comes first. The demand on your body creates the supply needed to meet that demand. Breastfeeding and pumping (the demand) signal your body to keep producing more milk (the supply). In some situations, the mother has done nothing to stimulate extra milk production and produces large amounts of milk right from the start. This may be due to supplements, hormones, medications, the number of pregnancies, or a long list of other causes.3,5 Understanding the possible causes can help you know which solution may be best for you.5
5 Tips for Managing Breastmilk Oversupply
It can be frustrating and uncomfortable for you and your baby if you have an oversupply. Fortunately, some tips and tricks can help you both work with the surplus and balance out your breastmilk supply. It’s essential to reach out to your International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to ensure you do have an oversupply before trying to reduce it. You want to ensure your baby is getting everything they need, and you don’t want to lower the supply if the demand is required.
If you feel confident that an oversupply is what you’re experiencing, here are five tips you can try at home to help:
1. Change Positions
Try changing your feeding position.1,2 Gravity helps everything flow; in many breastfeeding positions, your baby is slightly lower than the breast. The laid-back position is excellent for getting comfortable and letting your baby control the feed.2,6,7 This position has mom reclined back with baby positioned on her chest so baby is above the nipple. Your baby can latch on in more of a face-down approach, allowing them to control their flow.7 Your baby may pop off for a quick break if needed but can easily latch on again when ready. You can think of it as nursing “uphill,” which may reduce that strong eject reflex.1
2. Avoid Emptying Your Breasts
If you’re pumping or hand expressing to relieve pressure or feeling fullness, try to express only an amount to be comfortable versus emptying the breast.1 Remember, an empty breast will signal your brain to produce more, leading to an oversupply of breastmilk.8 Expressing is the artificial demand on the breast, naturally increasing the supply. Try just expressing to a comfortable level and using cold cloths to help relieve any pain and swelling on the breast.9
3. Stay Away From Certain Supplements
Avoid galactagogues, which are most commonly foods and/or herbal supplements made to increase milk production.4 According to the ABM, some foods like curry sauces spiced with fenugreek, soups containing moringa, herbal teas, and lactation cookies can contain galactagogues and may be increasing milk production without the consumer being aware. Eliminating these products (if you’re using them) may help decrease your supply.4,5
4. Offer Your Breast When Baby Wants It
Use responsive feeding versus scheduled feeding unless your health care provider recommends otherwise.1,2 This means you offer the breast when your baby tells you they want it. Your baby will take the amount they want and need, allowing your body to know how much milk to produce. Sometimes, using scheduled feeds can lead to breastmilk oversupply (if you feed more than baby is asking for) or undersupply (if you wait too long between meals). It’s best to follow your baby’s cues.1,2
5. Use a Block Feeding Approach
A block approach means you feed from one breast for a specific block of time. You should use a block feeding approach under the supervision of a lactation specialist. It can be very effective for managing a breastmilk oversupply.2,5
Here’s an example: For two hours, you feed your baby off one breast no matter how many times your baby needs to latch. After two hours, you switch to the other breast and do the same. This helps encourage the complete emptying of one breast and can help signal the brain to balance milk production. If the breast you aren’t using is uncomfortable, hand express to relieve pressure and be comfortable, but don’t try to do too much. After a day or two, you can up the block feed to three-hour blocks if you haven’t noticed an improvement. You should do block feeding during the day but feed ad lib overnight.5
You can try all these solutions at home, but it’s always best to speak to a lactation specialist or physician when working with an oversupply of breastmilk. Over-the-counter remedies or prescribed medicines can be recommended under the supervision of a lactation and breastfeeding medicine physician if these conservative measures don’t address the oversupply or if the hyperlactation is severe.5 Meeting your baby’s needs is always the priority, so finding the root of the issue is essential. You can try some of these tips, and if you have any concerns, reach out to your local health care provider for guidance.
