Hyperlactation: What causes it? - Mayo Clinic

COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options

Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.

Appointments at Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Request Appointment Healthy Lifestyle

Infant and toddler health

Products and services

What causes hyperlactation during breast-feeding

Answer From Elizabeth LaFleur, R.N. Hyperlactation - breast milk oversupply - can have many causes, including: Breast-feeding mismanagement Too much of the milk production-stimulating hormone prolactin in your blood (hyperprolactinemia) A congenital predisposition Medications that increase milk production Hyperlactation happens early in breast-feeding and causes full, leaking breasts that don't noticeably soften after a feeding. Breast pain, severe engorgement and painful milk letdowns are common. Breast milk oversupply can also make breast-feeding difficult. The rush of milk during breast-feeding might be too forceful, causing an infant to choke and cough. Hyperlactation can cause infants to gain too much weight. Infants can also gain too little weight if they get too much carbohydrate-rich foremilk and not enough fat-rich hindmilk. Infants might be fussy at the start of feedings, have trouble maintaining a latch and act disinterested in feedings. They might also be gassy. If you suspect hyperlactation, talk to a lactation consultant. He or she might recommend breast-feeding on one side per nursing session and offering that same breast for at least two hours, until the next full feeding. If your other breast becomes uncomfortably full, express it by hand or pump it for a few moments. Positioning your baby so that gravity slows the flow of milk might help. Try leaning back during breast-feeding. Also, frequently burp your baby and allow him or her to come off the breast as needed. Hyperlactation typically stops in a few weeks. If the problem continues, your health care provider might check to see if your thyroid is playing a role. With Elizabeth LaFleur, R.N. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form.

Children s health information and parenting tips to your inbox

Sign-up to get Mayo Clinic’s trusted health content sent to your email. Receive a bonus guide on ways to manage your child’s health just for subscribing. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Subscribe Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Thank you for subscribing

Our e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

Something went wrong with your subscription

Please try again in a couple of minutes Retry

Hygiene hypothesisInduced lactation ShareTweet Feb. 27, 2021 Show references Spencer J. Common problems of breastfeeding and weaning. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 25, 2019. Your guide to breastfeeding. Office on Women's Health. https://www.womenshealth.gov/patient-materials/resource/guides. Accessed Jan. 25, 2019. Trimeloni L, et al. Diagnosis and management of breast milk oversupply. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine. 2016;29:139. See more Expert Answers

Products and Services

Book: Mayo Clinic Guide to Your Baby's First Years

Air travel with infantBaby fatBaby napsBaby poop: What's normal?Baby slingBreast-feeding supportBreastfeeding and alcoholBreastfeeding and medicationsBreastfeeding nutrition: Tips for momsBreastfeeding strikeCrying baby? How to keep your coolBaby sleepInfant constipationInfant development: Milestones from 10 to 12 monthsInfant development: Ages 4 to 6 monthsInfant development: Ages 7 to 9 monthsInfant formula preparationInfant formula: Is tap or bottled water better?Infant formula basicsInfant growth ratesOrganic baby foodSick baby?How to swaddle a babyBabies and solid foodsSpitting up in babiesTeething: Tips for soothing sore gumsVitamin D for babiesWeaning tipsShow more related content

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices

Mayo Clinic Press

Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book

Mayo Clinic Footer

Request AppointmentSymptom CheckerGive NowContact UsAbout Mayo ClinicEmployeesSite MapAbout This Site

Legal Conditions and Terms

Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Notice of Nondiscrimination Manage Cookies

Reprint Permissions

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

TREND NOW

Hyperlactation What causes it? Mayo Clinic