8 Signs You're Making Too Much Breast Milk (And What To Do About It)
August 1 - 7 is World Breastfeeding Week and the entire month of August is Breastfeeding Month. For the month of August we’ll be sharing everything you need to know and that’s never mentioned about breastfeeding and breastmilk. Here’s the first, Oversupply. We’ve all heard of women not being able to produce enough breast milk, but did you know that an oversupply of breastmilk is just as common? We have just the thing for you if you are under producing, click here, but there are plenty of women that struggle with making more milk than their baby can healthily handle. Women who produce too much breastmilk can feel overwhelmed and have just as many issues as those who can’t produce enough. But don’t worry -- there are ways to slow down production, as well as manage an oversupply of breastmilk. Read on for a complete list of signs that you’re making too much breastmilk.
To begin with, let’s learn a little more about breastmilk oversupply.
What is breastmilk oversupply?
Breastmilk oversupply, or overproducing breastmilk, is defined simply as producing more milk than one’s baby needs. Since all mamas and babies are different, there is no set measurement to help diagnose breastmilk oversupply. The best way to find out if you are producing too much breastmilk is to watch for telltale signs from both your body and your baby. So, you ask, what are the signs? We’ve got you covered.
Signs of breastmilk Oversupply
If you suspect that your body might be producing too much milk, use this list to compare your own experiences and decide where to go from there. You can tell a lot about your own body if you pay attention and are informed. But it is always a good idea to run things by your doctor. They’ll appreciate all the data you can give them about yourself, but let them look for anything you might have missed. An oversupply of breastmilk can cause anywhere between a minor annoyance or a major disruption in everyday life. If you’re leaning more towards the latter, be sure to talk to your OB or your doctor if you think you’re producing too much milk in a way that harms either you or your baby.
Let’s look at the signs:
1. Your breasts almost never feel empty.
If your breasts seem to fill up very quickly after each feeding, and never quite feel empty, this might be a sign of breast milk oversupply. However, it could be a sign of a healthy supply, too! Look for other signs on this list, as well.
2. Your baby pulls away during feeding.
While this can also be a sign of undersupply, when your baby is frustrated at not getting enough milk, this can also be a sign of oversupply. If your baby is getting too much milk, they may pull away from the breast in order to get air or take a break.
3. Excessive leakage during feeding.
During feeding, if you notice excessive leaking on your open side, as well as milk leaking from your baby’s mouth during a feeding, this might be a sign that you’re making too much breast milk.
4. Your baby has gas.
A little bit of gas is completely normal for an infant (and it can even be kinda cute!) But you’ll know when it’s too much or too often. Look for signs that your baby is having tummy aches, such as arching their back while crying or making a strained facial expression. If you notice that gas is a daily, constant issue for your baby, then an oversupply of breastmilk might be the culprit.
5. Your baby has reflux or vomiting.
Just like gas, some reflux or vomiting is normal for an infant--but not too much. If you notice that your baby is spitting up frequently, particularly right after or even during a feeding, you might be producing too much breastmilk for their little tummy to handle. If you’re just now noticing these signs, try starting a little journal or diary to keep track of how many times and how often your baby vomits or has an episode of gas pain. Keep this log and bring it to your pediatrician so that you can voice your concerns and have data to back it up! It’s hard to rely on mommy brain when you have an infant, so keeping a written log can really come in handy.
6. Your baby clamps down on your nipple during feeding.
Your infant may or may not have teeth yet, but you can tell when they pinch down with their little gums. This can be something as simple as a reflex or a means of finding comfort - but oftentimes it can be a sign of a breastmilk oversupply. They find comfort in the nipple, but they’ve had their fill. Your baby might be telling you that it has had enough and is trying to stop more milk from coming out.
7. You suffer from mastitis or clogged ducts.
If your breasts are producing too much milk, chances are that you’ll feel it. Along with constantly feeling full (or even overfull) of milk, you might suffer from mastitis or clogged ducts. Mastitis is defined by Mayo Clinic as “an inflammation of breast tissue that sometimes involves an infection.” You’ll feel pain, swelling, and sometimes a fever. Plenty of women do suffer from mastitis regardless of their milk supply, but having an oversupply of breast milk can definitely be a factor.
8. Feeding appears painful for your baby.
If you can tell that your baby doesn’t enjoy feeding time, and seems to be in pain while feeding, this is a telltale sign that something isn’t quite right. Take note of your baby’s reactions, as well as yours, and bring this information to your doctor. There are times when postpartum anxiety can have us worrying for no reason, but this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t listen to your intuition and natural instincts. If you think something is wrong, don’t be afraid to ask for help or a second opinion.
If any of the items listed above sound like the feeding experience that you and your baby are having, it might be time to talk to your doctor about oversupply. In the meantime, here are some tips to help you manage the issues that come along with making too much breastmilk.
What To Do If You’re Making Too Much Breast Milk:
Let’s look for examples where people have studied things that work/don’t work. Research articles*
1. Talk to your doctor.
We mentioned this already, of course, but really want to hammer it in ;)
2. Change the way you breastfeed
While making small changes in the way you + your baby do feeding time together may not solve your overproduction, it can make it easier on your baby and limit some of the negative effects they experience. It’s hard watching your baby struggle with gas, reflux, or discomfort during feeding, but there are small things you can do to make it a little easier.
Try hand expressing before feeding time to cut down on the initial surge of milk that comes from a full breast. Additionally, if you can anticipate when your baby needs a break, you can pull them away periodically to give them time to breathe, swallow, and prepare to take in more milk.
3. If you’re pumping, try pumping less.
If you haven’t already made changes in the way you’re pumping, this can be a good place to start. Pumping in between feedings, although it can be a relief for extra-full breasts, is proven to increase your milk supply. If you are already overproducing breast milk, this is likely the opposite outcome you’re looking for. Instead, try hand expressing and using a warm cloth to relieve any discomfort in between feedings. Eliminating or cutting down on pumping, over time, can help your body regulate and produce less milk.
4. Try herbs and foods to decrease supply.
Just as there are certain herbs known to help boost a woman’s milk supply (hello, fenugreek!) there are also certain herbs that are traditionally used to do the opposite. So if you have an oversupply of breastmilk, you can try some of these to try to decrease or normalize your supply.
a) Sage: While there have been no significant studies supporting the fact that sage decreases milk production, anecdotal evidence suggests that consuming this herb can help those with an oversupply of breast milk. Since sage is a common herb, there is little risk in trying and seeing if it works for you!
b) Peppermint: You might have already been “prescribed” peppermint if you suffered from nausea or hyperemesis gravidarum during your pregnancy - and here it is again! Peppermint is a delicious herb that is often found in candies and teas, and you can get it just about anywhere. Like sage, there is no scientific evidence that supports claims that peppermint can decrease milk supply.
While you typically hear of Mom’s worrying about not producing enough milk, the opposite can be true as well. But if you are experiencing any of the above 8 signs that you are making too much breastmilk, you should know that it’s okay and there are things you can do to help decrease your milk production.
