OVERSUPPLY
- LOW or HIGH weight gain
- GULPING, CHOKING, or SPUTTERING while drinking
- Constant DETACHING and REATTACHMENT or SWITCHING sides during a feed
- May have a WEAK or LAZY suck
- CLAMPING down on the breast
- CRIES and ARCHES their back at the breast
- REFUSES breasts and SHORT FEEDS
- Acts GASSY after feeding, COLICKY, or SPITTING UP frequently
- Acts UNSATISFIED despite WEIGHT GAIN
- EXPLOSIVE, FROTHY, GREEN stool
- May make CLICKING noises while nursing
What may I be feeling?
- CONSTANT feeling of FULLNESS
- ENGORGEMENT that does NOT improve after a feeding
- Excessive LEAKING
- Recurrent PLUGGED DUCTS or MASTITIS
- May SQUIRT everywhere when baby detaches
- May have SORE NIPPLES
- Able to pump MULTIPLE OUNCES after a feeding
- May BELIEVE you have an INSUFFICIENT milk volume
Why may OVERSUPPLY show these SYMPTOMS?
In Baby..
Oversupply or hyper-lactation occurs when milk volume exceeds babies milk needs
to the point of causing discomfort to the nursing parent or baby. The high milk volume may cause baby to receive more diluted milk (Fore milk) which is higher in lactose than the creamy (Hind milk) that is high in protein and fat. High weight gain can occur when baby receives a full feed on the diluted milk yet is still hungry because of the lack of creamy milk ,they act unsatisfied returning to the breast frequently. On the other side when baby is only consuming the more diluted milk than the creamy milk this may cause low weight gain because of the lack of protein and fat. The high amount of lactose but low amounts of protein and fat can lead to explosive, green, frothy stools, and colicky symptoms in baby.
"Milk volume exceeds babies milk needs to the point of causing discomfort to the nursing parent or baby"
With the high milk volume may come a forceful let down. Baby's may react or overcompensate to deal with this forceful letdown. Reactions to a forceful let down may appear as gulping, choking, and sputtering when nursing. Baby may cry at the breast, refuse the breast, or appear to fight the breast in reaction to nursing. Baby may overcompensate by detaching,reattaching, and switching sides frequently during the feed to avoid the strong let down. Baby may clamp down on the breast in attempt to stop the letdown or make clicking noises by bringing the tongue to the tip of their mouth to manage the flow possibly causing sore nipples. Baby may only do short feeds avoiding comfort nursing and use a slow lazy suck to avoid the letdown.
In the nursing parent...
The high milk volume in each breast may be more than baby can eat, leaving milk inside. This can lead to a nursing parent still being uncomfortable or full constantly. The nursing parent may produce milk very fast and leak milk excessively, squirting milk at times, or becoming engorged from the fast production. Even if baby is transferring milk, the milk that baby does not transfer could lead to plugged ducts or mastitis. The nursing parent may worry they have an inadequate milk volume because their baby is fighting the breast or constantly trying to nurse due to the high amounts of lighter milk or a strong milk ejection. The uncomfortable fullness may lead mom to pumping after a feed or before a feed to prevent baby from the strong letdown possibly worsening the condition. The nursing parent may switch baby back and forth during each feed to relieve fullness increasing stimulation to each breast and possibly increasing milk volume more. The baby overcompensating for the strong let down may lead to baby biting down, pulling off, and thrusting its tongue all of which can damage the nursing parent's nipples.
The high milk volume in each breast may be more than baby can eat, leaving milk inside. This can lead to a nursing parent still being uncomfortable or full constantly. The nursing parent may produce milk very fast and leak milk excessively, squirting milk at times, or becoming engorged from the fast production. Even if baby is transferring milk, the milk that baby does not transfer could lead to plugged ducts or mastitis. The nursing parent may worry they have an inadequate milk volume because their baby is fighting the breast or constantly trying to nurse due to the high amounts of lighter milk or a strong milk ejection. The uncomfortable fullness may lead mom to pumping after a feed or before a feed to prevent baby from the strong letdown possibly worsening the condition. The nursing parent may switch baby back and forth during each feed to relieve fullness increasing stimulation to each breast and possibly increasing milk volume more. The baby overcompensating for the strong let down may lead to baby biting down, pulling off, and thrusting its tongue all of which can damage the nursing parent's nipples.
1st Check....
Baby is gaining weight well (1/2 oz to 1oz a day), do not attempt to reduce milk volume through these techniques unless directed to by your baby's healthcare provider or lactation consultant.
Latch and Signs of milk transfer if baby is not latched correctly or transferring milk you may experience the full breasts, engorgement, plugged ducts, mastitis, unsatisfied nursing, and colicky symptoms due to this rather than oversupply.
Watch your Baby not the clock, not allowing baby to self-detach from the first breast because of timing feeds or trying to fit both breasts in a feed can create extra stimulation leading to a possible oversupply
Baby should be older than 4-6 weeks of age, during the first six weeks your body is figuring out your baby's milk order and will usually adjust to their milk needs by 12 weeks postpartum.
Avoid Switching back and forth constantly during feeds , this can stimulate the breast beyond your baby's needs and not allow them to reach the milk high in protein and fat
Massage or gently shake your breasts before nursing, this can better combine the thinner sugary milk with the milk high in fat and protein.
Avoid pumping/hand expression for more than 48 hours, unless you are under direct supervision of a Lactation professional, an exclusive pumper, or spending large amounts of hours away from your baby
Avoid supplements meant to increase milk volume, these do not have any scientific evidence to work and can lead to complications.
Nurse your baby according to their feeding cues at least 10 or more times a day, not withdrawing the milk can lead to plugged ducts, mastitis, and a drop in milk volume.
Always meet an in person Lactation professional before attempting to lower your milk volume, What appears to be a high milk volume may not be and attempts to lower it may lead to an insufficient milk volume. A medical provider should provide tests for your thyroid as this sometimes can affect milk volume.
Resources :
Veldhuizen-Staas, C. G. (2007). Overabundant milk supply: an alternative way to intervene by full drainage and block feeding. Retrieved July 11, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2075483/
Oversupply & Forceful Letdown. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2017, from http://nurturedchild.ca/index.php/breastfeeding/challenges/oversupply-forceful-letdown/
Am I making too much milk? (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2017, from http://www.llli.org/faq/oversupply.html
Forceful Let-down (Milk Ejection Reflex) & Oversupply • KellyMom.com. (2017, March 21). Retrieved July 11, 2017, from http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/fast-letdown/
The Maternal Hyperlactation Syndrome. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2017, from https://www.scribd.com/document/344377811/The-Maternal-Hyperlactation-Syndrome
DigitalCommons@Fairfield. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2017, from http://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/nursing-facultypubs/6/
And, L. T. (n.d.). Lauren Trimeloni. Retrieved July 11, 2017, from http://www.jabfm.org/content/29/1/139.long
Block Feeding Dos & Don'ts. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2017, from http://www.nancymohrbacher.com/articles/2013/10/9/block-feeding-dos-donts.html
Gulping. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2017, from http://www.normalfed.com/continuing/gulping/
Colic in the Breastfed Baby. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2017, from https://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/informations/colic-in-the-breastfed-baby/
Avoid Switching back and forth constantly during feeds , this can stimulate the breast beyond your baby's needs and not allow them to reach the milk high in protein and fat
Massage or gently shake your breasts before nursing, this can better combine the thinner sugary milk with the milk high in fat and protein.
Avoid pumping/hand expression for more than 48 hours, unless you are under direct supervision of a Lactation professional, an exclusive pumper, or spending large amounts of hours away from your baby
Avoid supplements meant to increase milk volume, these do not have any scientific evidence to work and can lead to complications.
Nurse your baby according to their feeding cues at least 10 or more times a day, not withdrawing the milk can lead to plugged ducts, mastitis, and a drop in milk volume.
Always meet an in person Lactation professional before attempting to lower your milk volume, What appears to be a high milk volume may not be and attempts to lower it may lead to an insufficient milk volume. A medical provider should provide tests for your thyroid as this sometimes can affect milk volume.
Coping while not affecting milk volume
1. Ensure proper latch and watch for signs of milk transfer
2. Breastfeeding positions where baby's mouth is higher than nipple, such as laid back breast feeding: Sit down with your lower back touching the back of the chair, scoot your hips forward, baby and nursing parent are frontal to frontal, allow baby to self-attach or help in attaching.
3. Follow your baby's lead, allow baby to finish the first breast and self-detach before offering the second.
3. Follow your baby's lead, allow baby to finish the first breast and self-detach before offering the second.
"Hold baby's hand while nursing, when baby stops sucking count to five if sucking does not restart kiss their hand. They should restart nursing if not break the seal with your pinky and remove your baby from the breast. If they awaken re offer the breast if they stay asleep lay them in their safe sleep surface"
4. Do not pump before nursing for a forceful let down, instead remove your baby during the more forceful letdowns catching it with the letdown with a towel. (unless directed to by a Lactation professional)
5. Nurse 10 or more times in 24 hours, to prevent the accumulation of thinner milk leading to an forceful letdown, engorgement,plugged ducts, and mastitis. This may also prevent baby from sucking strongly from hunger.
6. Scissor hold , to do so lightly squeeze your pointer and middle finger behind your areola when you feel a forceful letdown while baby is attached may help.
5. Nurse 10 or more times in 24 hours, to prevent the accumulation of thinner milk leading to an forceful letdown, engorgement,plugged ducts, and mastitis. This may also prevent baby from sucking strongly from hunger.
6. Scissor hold , to do so lightly squeeze your pointer and middle finger behind your areola when you feel a forceful letdown while baby is attached may help.
Wondering what your Lactation Professional may recommend if it truly is an oversupply beyond 6 weeks of age and baby is gaining weight? visit Oversupply, lowering your milk volume
This is an educational resource not medical advice work with your Healthcare provider and an IBCLC to improve your situation
This is an educational resource not medical advice work with your Healthcare provider and an IBCLC to improve your situation
Resources :
Veldhuizen-Staas, C. G. (2007). Overabundant milk supply: an alternative way to intervene by full drainage and block feeding. Retrieved July 11, 2017, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2075483/
Oversupply & Forceful Letdown. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2017, from http://nurturedchild.ca/index.php/breastfeeding/challenges/oversupply-forceful-letdown/
Am I making too much milk? (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2017, from http://www.llli.org/faq/oversupply.html
Forceful Let-down (Milk Ejection Reflex) & Oversupply • KellyMom.com. (2017, March 21). Retrieved July 11, 2017, from http://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/fast-letdown/
The Maternal Hyperlactation Syndrome. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2017, from https://www.scribd.com/document/344377811/The-Maternal-Hyperlactation-Syndrome
DigitalCommons@Fairfield. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2017, from http://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/nursing-facultypubs/6/
And, L. T. (n.d.). Lauren Trimeloni. Retrieved July 11, 2017, from http://www.jabfm.org/content/29/1/139.long
Block Feeding Dos & Don'ts. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2017, from http://www.nancymohrbacher.com/articles/2013/10/9/block-feeding-dos-donts.html
Gulping. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2017, from http://www.normalfed.com/continuing/gulping/
Colic in the Breastfed Baby. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2017, from https://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/informations/colic-in-the-breastfed-baby/
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