Oversupply of breastmilk

Contributed by : Ravina Sewani

It is possible to have an oversupply of milk.

Milk production is in abundance during the early days, which is good. But as soon as the baby settles in – in most cases – the flow regulates on its own. Sometimes though, the breastmilk volume may still be high and there may be a very forceful spurt of milk with a forceful let down. This may cause problems for you and your baby.

Usually babies develop a breastfeeding pattern within the first month. If after a month, your baby is still restless during the feeding, or pulls off your breast, coughs, chokes, gulps quickly, has painful cries, holds on to your nipple with a bite like hold, oversupply might be the issue here. You, on the other hand, might experience engorgement, have bouts of mastitis, or you may feel a strong let-down, and leaking breasts. Due to oversupply, a condition called Milk Ejection Reflex occurs in which the milk is released from the milk ducts in a forceful and in an almost explosive manner.

Oversupply could be either due to your body making more milk, or when you don’t empty your one breast fully before offering the other, or thyroid. You can handle this situation by trying a reclined position while you breastfeed, you can try using nursing pads, and express little milk before feeding. You can use breast pumps and store the milk. Just be careful that your child does not choke while breastfeeding. If none of the methods work, you should consult your lactation consultant.

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