Milk oversupply is when  the mother makes more breastmilk than the baby needs. It is also called overabundant milk supply or hyper lactation. There are different factors that affect how much milk you make. However the 2 most important are

• how often you breastfeed and pump your breast
• how well your breasts are emptied

The more often you feed your baby and empty your breasts, the more milk your body produces.

What are the symptoms of milk oversupply ?

In mothers

• full breasts that keep leaking between feedings
• breast pain
• breast engorgement which can lead to blocked milk ducts and infection

In babies

• crying during feeding
• gaining too  much weight
• resisting feeding
• gulping a lot during feeding
• gaining too  little weight because
  • milk supply is too fast for baby to take  in enough milk during feeding
  • the baby is not able to feed long enough to get the fattiest part of the milk
• having gas
• having large frothy, green stools

How is milk oversupply  treated ?

As frustrating as milk oversupply can be, there are ways to manage it. Seek the help of your doctor or lactation consultant . They may recommend the following

• feed from one breast during a nursing session and the use the other breast during the next nursing session. You can also get a   little bit of milk from the unused breast to make it more comfortable
• you can try to lean back and nurse so that the baby is above the nipple
• try nursing as you lie on your side so that the extra milk can dribble out of the baby’s mouth
• you can take ibuprofen to reduce pain  and swelling . Ibuprofen is safe to take during breastfeeding. However it is important to always check with your doctor before taking any medication while breastfeeding.

Try cold compressions to reduce swelling  if your breast still feels uncomfortable after breastfeeding . You can use a frozen wet towel, cold pack or frozen vegetables. Apply it to your breasts  for 15 minutes at  a time every hour as needed. Place a thin cloth between your breasts  and cold pack  to prevent damage to your skin.