Oversupply

In the early weeks of breastfeeding, some mums make more milk than their babies can easily cope with. Over about 6 weeks this usually settles down to a supply that matches your baby’s needs.

But sometimes it doesn’t. 

• Your baby is older than about 6 weeks.
• Your breasts are often lumpy and tight, despite softening with a breastfeed.
• Your baby gags, gulps (especially at the start of a feed) and often will not take the second breast.
• Your baby gains a lot of weight quickly.
• They may be extra fussy between feeds, especially in the evening.
• You are changing many more than the usual number of heavy wet nappies.
• Your baby generally has a poo at each feed (or even more) that is often green and frothy (and possibly also explosive).

Some things can contribute to making too much milk.  

• Switching sides too frequently .
• Your baby may cry a lot and want to suck often for comfort, which causes your breasts to make more milk.
• Expressing more than your baby needs. Some mums are told to also express in the early days to build a good supply. This extra demand can make more milk than your baby needs, and your breasts become full and sore. You then express for comfort, which makes the oversupply worse.
• Using a silicone milk catcher to collect leaking milk or because your breasts feel overfull. A milk catcher may remove more milk than would naturally leak out and prolonged use may create an oversupply.
• Taking medication or herbal products that increase milk supply. 

Some mums just tend to make more milk than other mums. There is a normal range in this as in everything else about our bodies.