What Is Breast Milk Oversupply?
During the first few weeks of nursing, you may feel like you’re making too much breast milk. Continue reading to learn if you have an overabundance of milk and what you can do about it. It’s typical to have an overabundance of breast milk during the first few weeks of breastfeeding. If you have an abundance, it will last longer than the first few weeks. Hyperlactation, or oversupply of breast milk, is also known as hypergalactia. Breast milk oversupply occurs when the breasts produce more milk than is needed for a breastfeeding infant’s normal growth. When a baby has an oversupply, he coughs and chokes during feedings. As he tries to nurse and breathe, he also bobs on and off the breast. While nursing, they may clench down or bite to try to stop the forceful flow.
Am I Having Breast Milk Oversupply?
While it’s normal to want to gauge your supply to see if you’re making too much milk, it’s not as straightforward as that. If you’re breastfeeding, your milk doesn’t go into a container; it goes straight to your kid. The easiest way to tell if you have an oversupply is to look at your baby’s and your own symptoms.
Symptoms Of Oversupply
Oversupply symptoms can be seen in both a nursing mother and her infant. Breasts that are painful and overfull are generally a sign of an overabundant milk supply. When an infant is trying to eat, they may have difficulty.
Symptoms in a baby:
- Poor latch
- Fussy during feeding
- Crying when offered a feeding
- Difficulty maintaining a latch
- Frequent gulping and air intake that results in gassiness
- Refusal to breastfeed
- Stools that are large, frothy, and green
Symptoms in lactating mom:
- Hard breasts that do not become softer after feeding, there might even be the possibility of mastitis or having your ducts blocked.
- Painful let-down reflex
- Breast engorgement
- Ability to pump several ounces of breast milk after a feeding
- Leaking breasts
- Sore nipples
- Plugged milk ducts
Causes Of Oversupply:
- Overuse of Galactagogue
- An Imbalance of Hormones
- Excessive Pumping
- The Number of Alveoli Glands
How To Manage Breast Milk Oversupply?
There are some things you can do to cope with breast milk oversupply if you’re having trouble. Adjusting your position, feeding frequency, and expressing a small amount of milk for comfort between feedings can sometimes make it easier for you and your baby to nurse comfortably. If you’ve determined that you have too much breast milk and it’s causing you problems, there are a few simple steps you may take to alleviate the situation. For some mothers, this is enough:
Try laid-back breastfeeding
Feeding your infant in a reclining or lying down position can be beneficial because it gives him more control. If your flow is too quick for him, he can set the tempo and elevate his head for a break. Always have a towel underneath you to catch any spilled milk.
Avoid lactation teas and supplements
Make sure you stop drinking mother’s milk teas, eating lactation biscuits, or using herbal supplements to boost breast milk production in the early days. These could now be contributing to the problem.
Relieve pressure
If your breasts are in pain, manually express or pump a small amount of milk to alleviate them but try to express as little as possible. You’re telling your breasts to create more milk every time you withdraw milk. As a result, while expressing oneself may provide momentary respite, it may exacerbate the situation in the long run. It’s advisable to wait until you’ve handled your oversupply before expressing and storing milk for times when you’re away from your kid.
Block feed:
To get more hindmilk, feed your infant from the same breast for a few feedings in a row.
Try nursing pads
If you’re leaking milk, putting disposable nursing pads or milk collection shells in your bra could help keep you dry. Ultra-thin disposable nursing pads will help you feel confident in a discreet manner whether your leakage is only light to moderate or if you have leaking breasts during pregnancy.
Feed when your baby is sleepy
A sleepy infant may suck more gently, which causes the milk to flow more slowly.
As soon as the infant begins to cough or struggle, release the suction. To catch the milk squirt, have a towel, washcloth, or bib nearby.
Other Ways To Decrease Oversupply:
Consult with your healthcare provider and your baby’s pediatrician about any herbal or medical approaches.
- Herbs are shown to help decrease milk supply safely, e.g., sage.
- Foods helpful with reducing milk supply, e.g., peppermints or foods high in peppermint oil.
- Medical approach
When does breast milk oversupply resolve itself?
The majority of breastfeeding issues arise during the first four to six weeks, which is typically how long it takes for a parent and baby to get into the swing of breastfeeding. It’s also at this time that your body will begin to respond to your baby’s demand with a suitable supply of milk. Early expert assistance can assist you in managing and resolving oversupply more rapidly.
Take Away:
It’s usual to produce too much milk, especially in the first few months after giving birth. It can make feedings unpleasant or even impossible at times, causing anxiety and stress in parents. It can have an impact on your baby’s behavior and weight, leading to a misdiagnosis such as colic or food intolerance. Breast trauma, engorgement, and repeated clogged ducts can all be caused by it. Oversupply must therefore be identified and managed. Evidence-based support can help parents regain confidence in breastfeeding and focus on enjoying their baby by coping with or actively addressing oversupply in safe and appropriate ways.
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