In some breastfed babies, breastfeeding oversupply can contribute to frequent crying, gas, abdominal discomfort and loose, frothy or explosive stools. This pattern is sometimes referred to as lactose overload and may be mistaken for colic.
This does not mean anything is wrong with your baby or your breastmilk.
When a mother has a very generous milk supply, milk may flow quickly and a baby may take in a large volume of milk over a short period. If more lactose reaches the small intestine than can be absorbed at that time, some may pass into the large intestine, where it is fermented by gut bacteria. This can produce gas and draw additional water into the bowel.
You may notice your baby has:
- Gas and abdominal discomfort
- A tight or bloated tummy
- Loose, frothy or explosive stools
- More acidic-smelling stools
- Increased wind
- Frequent crying or unsettled behaviour
Is lactose overload caused by too much “foremilk”?
Not exactly.
You may have heard that breastmilk contains “foremilk” at the beginning of a feed and “hindmilk” towards the end. In reality, there isn’t a clear dividing line between foremilk and hindmilk. Instead, the fat content of breastmilk generally increases as the breast is drained during a feed.
A generous milk supply, combined with instability at the breasr can mean that a baby takes in a large amount of lactose-rich milk. This can result in more lactose reaching the small intestine than the baby can comfortably absorb at that time.
Any unabsorbed lactose can then pass into the large intestine, where it is fermented by gut bacteria and may contribute to gas, abdominal discomfort and loose or frothy stools.
So, it’s not about trying to give your baby the “right” amount of foremilk and hindmilk. The goal is to support comfortable, effective feeding while helping match the mothers milk supply with your baby’s needs.
Can breastfeeding oversupply cause colic?
Oversupply can contribute to symptoms that may look like colic, particularly when a baby is frequently gassy, unsettled and having frothy or explosive stools.
However, crying alone does not diagnose lactose overload.
A baby who cries frequently may be experiencing many different things, including normal infant behaviour, feeding difficulties, low milk transfer, reflux, constipation, allergy or simply needing help to regulate and settle.
This is why looking at the whole feeding picture is more useful than assuming that every unsettled baby has a lactose problem.
What can help with lactose overload and breastfeeding oversupply?
The goal isn't to remove lactose from breastmilk. Lactose is a normal and important component of breastmilk.
Instead, support focuses on helping your milk supply better match your baby's needs and helping your baby manage the flow of milk more comfortably.
This may include:
- Assessing whether you actually have an oversupply of breastmilk
- Supporting your baby to remain stable and well positioned at the breast
- Helping your baby manage a fast milk flow
- Optimising effective milk removal of both lactose and fat rich milk
- Allowing your baby to feed responsively rather than following rigid feeding times
- Supporting your milk supply to gradually regulate to your baby's needs
The goal is a comfortable, effective feed with a milk supply that is appropriately matched to your baby.
If your baby is persistently unsettled, has ongoing digestive symptoms, poor growth, eczema, blood or mucus in their stool, or other allergy-like symptoms, it is important to consider other possible contributors.
Looking for practical solutions?
If you’re wondering whether lactose overload, breastfeeding oversupply or breastfeeding positional instability could be contributing to your baby’s gas, crying or colic-like symptoms, my ebook Breastfeeding: A Guide for Mothers provides practical strategies to help you troubleshoot what may be happening during your feeds.
Inside, you’ll find practical, step-by-step guidance for positioning, attachment, milk transfer, feeding patterns, lactose overload, reflux and responsive breastfeeding, helping you work towards more comfortable and effective feeds.
Rather than simply telling you what might be happening, the guide helps you understand what you can actually try at home to support a calmer, more comfortable breastfeeding experience.
Need help figuring out what’s happening?
If you’ve tried different strategies and your baby is still experiencing gas, crying, unsettled feeds, reflux-like symptoms, digestive discomfort or difficulty feeding, personalised support can help.
A 1:1 Breastfeeding Consultation allows us to look at your baby’s individual feeding patterns, milk flow, positioning, attachment and symptoms, and work through practical strategies tailored to your situation.