An Oversupply of Breastmilk?

How could any mother have an oversupply of breastmilk and how could that possibly be a problem?

I’d heard about mothers who struggled to keep their milk supply abundant enough for their baby, but oversupply? It sounded like a weird non-problem until we actually lived it with my second baby. Our symptoms included: unlatching and struggling at the breast, gagging, coughing when the milk would come too fast, milk all over his mouth and face, large explosive bowel movements (that came out of the diaper and all over everything), baby very unsettled and gassy after feeding, spitting up and projectile vomiting huge amounts of milk all over me and everything around us (my rocking chair was a mess!)

It’s also important to know that a forceful letdown can happen without a true oversupply, so the two aren’t always the same thing.

Once he was latched on and started nursing, he would have a hard time staying latched because the milk flow was too strong to handle. A letdown would occur on the opposite breast at the same time and I was leaking milk on both sides. I remember a specific incident in public when he pulled off the breast while nursing and a large amount of milk sprayed into the open air (another sign of oversupply.) I prayed nobody else noticed.

I suffered from regular plugged ducts and mastitis. My son also gained weight very rapidly and by 4 months he was 20 pounds and off the charts. Then I found friends and mothers who had experienced similar things and I heard stories of their struggles. Some had different symptoms including: clicking noises while nursing and nipple pain related to the baby clamping down on the nipple because the flow was too heavy or fast.

So, what can be done to help relieve oversupply issues?

1. First, take a look at anything that may be increasing your supply. Pumping in addition to breastfeeding, routinely pumping after feeds to “empty” the breasts, or using lactation supplements or foods intended to increase milk production can contribute to oversupply. If these aren’t medically necessary, gradually reducing the extra stimulation may be all that’s needed for your supply to begin adjusting to your baby’s actual needs.
2. Laid-Back Nursing. Nursing in a laid-back posture can be helpful (reclining or semi-reclining with baby’s body supported on yours). This position allows your baby to move their head freely if the flow becomes too fast, while gravity can help slow the flow.
3. Burping/Upright: Burping baby frequently and keeping baby in an upright position after nursing to allow air to pass easily.
4. Block feeding may help reduce a true oversupply. This involves nursing from one breast for a set period of time before switching to the other breast. Block feeding intentionally allows milk to remain in one breast longer, which sends signals to slow milk production. This must be done carefully so as not to allow too much pressure which could result in mastitis. Because block feeding can sometimes reduce milk supply too much or contribute to plugged ducts or mastitis, it’s best done with guidance from an experienced lactation professional.  See Block Feeding Dos and Don’ts by Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA.
5. Sometimes a mother may even choose to nurse on one breast for two or more feedings in a row to decrease milk production. Raises hand. This is what I had to do to curb the oversupply. It resulted in temporary engorgement in the breast that I did not feed on, but this was manageable as long as I didn’t let it go for too long. 
6. Hand express for comfort if needed. If the breast you’re not feeding from becomes uncomfortably full, hand express just enough milk to relieve the pressure. Removing large amounts of milk can signal your body to continue producing more than your baby needs.
7. Pay attention to breast pain and inflammation. Oversupply can increase the risk of recurrent plugged ducts and mastitis. Watch for worsening pain, redness, swelling, fever, or flu-like symptoms, and contact your healthcare provider if you’re concerned. 
8. Get help from a lactation consultant at any point that you feel you need it. Professional help is available! Don’t struggle alone. If you suspect a true oversupply, especially before trying block feeding, working with a lactation professional can be really helpful. They can look at your milk production, your baby’s latch and milk transfer, weight gain, feeding patterns, and whether you’re dealing with oversupply, a forceful letdown, or both. We have fantastic lactation counselors on our team at Buddha Belly. 
9. Donate to a milk bank.  If you already have more stored milk than your baby needs, you may be able to donate it to a nonprofit milk bank after completing their screening process. There are definitely moms and babies in need and donating extra milk is always a great option. If you’re actively trying to reduce an oversupply, avoid adding extra pumping sessions specifically to collect milk for donation, since additional milk removal can encourage your body to keep producing more.