Oversupply of Breastmilk: What It Means & Why You Shouldn’t Worry

If there is one breastfeeding or breast milk problem a mother wants to have it’s oversupply. In the first few days or month of breastfeeding it can be difficult to determine just how much milk is being produced. 

The first hours and days it can seem like nothing is coming out. Colostrum, a yellowish liquid, is what comes out in the first few feeds. This is one of the most important first steps of breastfeeding because colostrum is full of vitamins and antibodies that the baby needs.

In the days succeeding birth, while waiting for milk letdown, babies can often seem unsatisfied. The key in this stage is to be patient. Mothers can take the time to teach their babies how to latch properly, consulting a lactation expert if needed. 

Once the milk lets down, the baby will have enough to eat. As soon as the flow is established—usually one month—determining oversupply will be easier.

Oversupply, in general, is a good problem. Being able to produce more breast milk than the baby needs means milk can be pumped and stored for the baby to eat while the mother is not around. 

However, there are times when it can be problematic for the mother, such as when:

1. Mastitis occurs more than once

Multiple occurrences of mastitis—an infection that occurs when milk becomes clogged in the milk ducts—could indicate oversupply because the baby is unable to finish all the milk. To ward against this, pumping right after the baby feeds to make sure the ducts are empty is a good practice. This also signals the body to continue to make the same amount, and the pumped milk can be stored at a later date.

2. Regularly leaking breasts

Frequent leaking from the breasts can ruin clothes and lead to embarrassing situations. This doesn’t necessarily indicate oversupply, but it could mean so too. To prevent the potential aggravation that can come with leaking breasts, frequent pumping can also be done as well as using breast or nursing pads.

3. Baby is unable to breastfeed

When a mother has an oversupply of breastmilk, one indicator is that the baby has a difficult time breastfeeding. They may be sputtering, gasping for air, holding the breast, or are agitated when eating because of the heavy flow. In this situation, consulting a lactation expert is the best way forward. They can determine if an oversupply really is the cause or if there are other issues that need to be addressed.

For the most part, to reiterate, an oversupply should not be a point for concern. Again, it is a problem worth having. It means that the baby has more than enough to eat, that the mother is healthy and producing very well, and all the benefits of breastfeeding can be enjoyed even more!