Oversupply is when your breasts produce more milk than your baby needs. This can be stressful for both you and your baby.
Generally, the more often your baby feeds, the more milk you make. Milk supply usually evens out to meet your baby’s exact needs when they are 4 to 6 weeks of age. But it can sometimes take up to 3 months.
Problems with oversupply for baby
The main symptoms of oversupply for a baby are:
- painful wind or 'gas'
- explosive green frothy poos
- struggling to control milk flow
- an uncomfortable tummy most of the time
While feeding, your baby may:
- gulp and sputter
- spit up milk often
- leak milk from their mouth or nose
- feed quickly, but get hungry very soon after
- refuse to comfort feed
- refuse to fall asleep at the breast
- refuse to attach to the breast
- pull away from the breast, arch their back, fuss and cry
Urgent advice: Contact your public health nurse (PHN), GP or lactation nurse as soon as possible if:
- you notice blood in your baby's poo
- your baby has any other symptoms that worry you
Your public health nurse (PHN), GP or lactation nurse can help.
How to help oversupply
Follow the advice below to help reduce oversupply.
Rule out any health issues
Check your baby for any health issues that may affect how they feed.
Health issues that cause problems with feeding include:
- reflux
- tongue-tie
- breathing problems
Talk to your GP, PHN or lactation nurse or midwife for advice.
Nurse your baby often
Nursing your baby often can solve the problem of green, frothy bowel movements.
Closely spaced feedings are higher in fat. Even if it's been 1 hour, feed your baby again.
Feeding often keeps your milk flowing so that you can avoid blocked or plugged ducts.
Positioning and attachment
Make sure you are positioning and attaching your baby correctly to your breast.
Babies often do better with semi upright or upright positions, such as the laid-back position or koala hold. You may need to try different breastfeeding positions to see what works for you.
When positioning your baby, be sure to get a deep attachment. This will make it easier for your baby to empty the breast. It will also stop them from taking in more wind.
Let your baby decide how long to feed
Give your baby enough time to completely finish 1 breast before swapping to the second breast. With oversupply, babies tend to take only 1 side each feed.
It is best not to express at all unless you are very engorged. Pump just enough to relieve the discomfort.
Block feeding
When you have been breastfeeding for 6 weeks, it may help to try a block feeding routine. This is when you feed with only 1 of your breasts for a certain amount of time.
Cold compress
Applying a cold compress to your breast before and during the feed will slow milk flow. You can use a fresh nappy with cold water on it that has been stored in the fridge. Apply the cold compress to your breast for 15 to 20 minutes.
Cabbage leaves
Many women have found that consistent use of cabbage leaves can reduce supply.
Wash some whole cabbage leaves and remove the hard spine. Then place the cabbage leaves inside your bra until they wilt.
Try using cabbage leaves for 20 minutes, 3 times a day. Stop as soon as you notice a slight decrease.
Coping with leaking breasts
Short-term tips for leaking breasts include:
- keeping small towels close to you when you breastfeed
- wearing clothes with patterns on them so that if you do leak it’s not noticeable
- buying a well-fitting nursing bra and large breast pads to absorb any leaks when you're not at home
Look out for a blocked duct if you are suffering from oversupply, especially if you’re block feeding.
You are more likely to get a blocked duct if your breasts are not being fully softened by your baby feeding.
Blocked or narrowed duct while breastfeeding
Producing less milk
You may feel worried when your milk supply changes and you start producing less milk. Your breasts will no longer feel engorged all the time or leak as they did before.
The best way to know you’ve still got enough milk is by your baby’s behaviour and their nappy output.
If your baby is meeting developmental milestones and growing well, then your supply is enough.
Concern about your milk supply
Getting support
If you're having a problem with oversupply, get help as soon as possible. Talk to your GP, PHN or lactation nurse or midwife.