Postpartum tips for oversupply (hyperlactation): a practical, encouraging guide
If you’re making “more than enough” milk, you’re not alone. Oversupply—also called hyperlactation—can happen naturally or be triggered by extra stimulation (like frequent or vigorous pumping). It can lead to fast, forceful letdowns, gassy or fussy feeds, leaking, engorgement, clogged ducts, and sometimes mastitis. The good news: with a few practical tweaks and support, most families can find a comfortable balance while continuing to meet their feeding goals.
How to tell if oversupply might be an issue
Common signs in you: breasts that feel very full between feeds; frequent leaking or spraying at letdown; engorgement; recurrent plugged ducts or mastitis.
Common signs in your baby: coughing or sputtering at the breast; popping on and off; gulping or clicking; gassy, frothy, or greenish stools; fussiness after feeds; very short feeds; sometimes spit-up. Many babies still gain weight well with oversupply, but some struggle if they avoid the fast flow or become very fussy.
If you’re unsure whether oversupply is the issue, or if your baby’s weight gain or diaper counts are not reassuring, connect with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or your pediatrician for an individualized assessment.
Make each feed more comfortable
Use gravity to slow the flow
Laid-back or side-lying positions help your baby better manage a fast letdown:
Step-by-step (laid-back nursing): 1) Sit reclined on pillows or a chair so your torso is leaning back, not upright. 2) Place baby tummy-to-tummy on you, with their head near your breast and their body supported along your torso. 3) Let baby self-attach if they’re able, or help them achieve a deep latch (wide mouth, more areola visible above the top lip). 4) Keep baby’s body close and in line (ear-shoulder-hip aligned). Gravity allows excess milk to dribble out of baby’s mouth instead of pushing in too fast.
Step-by-step (side-lying): 1) Lie on your side with a pillow supporting your head and a rolled towel behind baby’s back. 2) Bring baby’s nose to nipple level. 3) Support baby’s neck and shoulders as they latch. 4) Keep baby’s nose free and your back supported. This position reduces the effect of forceful letdown, and it can be restful for you.
Help baby ride out the first letdown
Step-by-step at the start of a feed: 1) When you feel the letdown, gently break the latch with a clean finger. 2) Let the initial spray go into a cloth or cup for 30–60 seconds. 3) Re-latch in a reclined or side-lying position. 4) Pause to burp mid-feed and at the end, as babies often swallow extra air with fast flow.
Extra tips: Aim for a deep, comfortable latch; adjust baby’s positioning if you hear clicking (often a sign they’re struggling to manage flow). If you feel very full and baby can’t latch, hand express a small amount just to soften the areola—avoid emptying the breast, which can stimulate more supply.
Protect your body and avoid signaling “make more milk”
Milk supply responds to removal. If you’re dealing with oversupply, the goal is to remove enough for comfort and baby’s intake without fully draining both breasts every time.
Try this between feeds: 1) If you’re uncomfortably full, hand express or briefly pump only to the point of comfort. 2) Use cool compresses or ice packs for 10–15 minutes after feeds to reduce swelling. 3) Consider an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen if appropriate for you and approved by your clinician. 4) Avoid routine “extra” pumping, power pumping, or using suction-based milk collectors for long periods, as these can increase supply.
Reverse pressure softening can help when the areola is too firm for baby to latch: 1) With clean hands, press gently but firmly with your fingertips around the base of the nipple in a ring pattern for 60 seconds to move swelling backward. 2) Attempt latch immediately afterward.
Skip galactagogues (herbs, teas, cookies marketed to boost supply) while you’re managing oversupply, and review any supplements with your healthcare team.
Block feeding: a targeted tool to reduce oversupply
Block feeding reduces stimulation by focusing feeds on one breast for a set period. Because this method can reduce supply quickly, it’s best done with guidance from an IBCLC, especially in the first 6–8 weeks.
How to try block feeding: 1) Choose a modest block length to start, often 2–3 hours. 2) During the block, offer only one breast for any feeds or comfort nursing. 3) If the other breast becomes very full or painful, express just enough to relieve pressure, but do not empty it. 4) After the block ends, switch sides for the next block. 5) Reassess after 24–48 hours. If symptoms improve, shorten blocks and gradually return to offering both breasts as needed. 6) If your baby is not satisfied on one breast, end the block early and seek support. 7) Monitor your baby’s diaper counts, weight gain, and your comfort closely; stop block feeding if you see signs of low intake or if you develop worsening plugs.
Important cautions: Overshooting with long blocks can drop supply too far, cause plugs, or reduce weight gain. If your baby is younger than 6 weeks, has borderline weight gain, or if you have a history of low supply, involve a lactation professional before starting.
If you need to pump and store milk
Some parents with oversupply are also preparing for return to work. You can balance both goals by minimizing oversupply signals while still collecting milk:
Practical approach: 1) Pump right after a morning feed when your body naturally makes more, and keep the session short (5–10 minutes) to collect what you need without fully draining both breasts. 2) Avoid power pumping. 3) Use comfortable suction rather than high vacuum. 4) Aim for flanges that fit well to reduce nipple trauma; an IBCLC can help size you. 5) Freeze in small portions (1–2 ounces/30–60 mL) so you waste less.
To gently downshift an established oversupply, reduce pumping time by 1–2 minutes every day or two, or drop one pump every few days, watching for plugs. Use ice and brief hand expression for comfort while your body adapts.
Prevent and manage plugged ducts and mastitis
Oversupply increases the risk of inflammation and mastitis. To protect yourself: 1) Avoid long stretches of unrelieved fullness. 2) Treat breasts gently; deep, aggressive massage can worsen inflammation. 3) Feed responsively; do not force long intervals between feeds. 4) Use cold packs after feeds and consider an anti-inflammatory if approved by your clinician.
Call your clinician promptly if you develop fever, flu-like symptoms, red or painful areas on the breast, or symptoms that do not improve within 24 hours. Early, evidence-based treatment helps you keep feeding while recovering.
Medications and birth control that may lower supply
Some options can be considered in persistent, distressing oversupply, ideally with clinician guidance:
Pseudoephedrine (a decongestant) has been shown to reduce milk production in some parents after a single 60 mg dose. If used, monitor your baby for changes in behavior or sleep, and your supply for a day or two. Avoid if you’re trying to build supply or if you’re within the first few weeks postpartum without professional guidance.
Combined estrogen-containing birth control can decrease milk production for some people. For those struggling with significant oversupply who also desire this method, a clinician may consider starting it after breastfeeding is well established, taking into account your health, your baby’s age, and your feeding goals. Progestin-only methods generally have less effect on supply.
Herbs traditionally used to lower supply (for example, sage or peppermint) lack strong evidence and may not be safe in large amounts. Discuss any herbal approach with your healthcare team.
When to seek extra help
Reach out to an IBCLC or your healthcare team if: feeds are consistently stressful or painful; your baby is not gaining well; you have recurrent plugs or mastitis; you’re considering block feeding or medication; or you need help balancing pumping with oversupply. An in-person latch check and personalized plan can make a big difference.
Encouragement for the journey
Oversupply can feel overwhelming, but it often improves over the first weeks as your supply calibrates to your baby’s needs. Small adjustments—reclined positions, brief expression for comfort, and, when appropriate, short periods of block feeding—can bring quick relief. You’re doing a wonderful job learning your baby and your body. With support and a gentle approach, most families find a comfortable rhythm.
References and trustworthy resources
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. ABM Clinical Protocol #32: Management of Hyperlactation (2020, reaffirmed). Guidance on assessment and stepwise management, including block feeding and medication options. https://www.bfmed.org/protocols
Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. ABM Clinical Protocol #36: The Mastitis Spectrum, Revised 2022. Emphasizes avoiding excessive milk removal, gentle management of inflammation, and addressing hyperlactation risks. https://www.bfmed.org/protocols
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Breastfeeding: Mastitis and Inflammatory Conditions (updated 2024). Practical, evidence-based guidance for prevention and management. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/mastitis.html
National Institutes of Health, LactMed Database. Pseudoephedrine. Summarizes evidence that pseudoephedrine can reduce milk production and provides safety information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/
La Leche League International. Oversupply and Forceful Letdown. Parent-friendly tips on positioning and managing fast flow. https://www.llli.org/breastfeeding-info/oversupply/
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Contraception and Breastfeeding (based on U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria). Notes on timing and potential effects of estrogen-containing contraceptives on milk. https://www.cdc.gov/contraception/hcp/usmec/breastfeeding.html