Also known as overabundant milk supply, hyperlactation results in the baby receiving too much carbohydrate-rich foremilk and too little fatty hindmilk. It also increases the mother’s risk for plugged ducts and breast infections.
Signs and Symptoms in Baby
- Noisy nursing, including gulping, choking or coughing.
- Baby’s breast refusal, won’t stay latched on or won’t suckle strongly.
- Severe gas.
- Green, frothy, explosive stools.
- Irritated diaper area, often severe.
- Too much or too little weight gain.
Signs and Symptoms in Mother
- Forceful let-down.
- May have intense pain with the first let-down reflex.
- Sore nipples.
- Breasts may never feel comfortable of refill very quickly.
- May have frequent or recurrent breast infections.
Patient Resources
- Texas WIC Printable Handout: Oversupply (English PDF)
- Texas WIC Printable Handout: Oversupply (Spanish PDF)
- Too Much Milk or Oversupply, BreastmilkCounts.com
