EverydayBre

When I first became a mom, I thought producing more milk than my baby needed was a blessing. I had heard so many stories about moms struggling to make enough milk that I never imagined having the opposite problem.

What started as an effort to make sure my baby always had enough milk, slowly turned into an oversupply that completely took over my life. Looking back, I can see exactly how it happened—and if sharing my experience helps even one mom avoid the same struggle, it’s worth telling.

What Is an Oversupply?

An oversupply happens when your body consistently produces more breast milk than your baby needs. While it may sound like a good problem to have, it can lead to constant engorgement, clogged ducts, mastitis, leaking, pain, and the feeling that you’re always attached to a pump.

For me, exclusive pumping made it even easier to accidentally create an oversupply.

How my Oversupply Started

In the beginning, I was terrified of losing my milk supply. Every article, video, and social media post seemed to stress the importance of emptying your breasts and pumping frequently.

So that’s exactly what I did.

I pumped on a strict schedule, every 3 hours for the first few months. If I felt full, I pumped. If I thought my supply might drop, I pumped even more. Every session, I made sure I emptied my breasts completely because I was told that is the best way to create more milk.I was telling my body to make more milk to replace what I had pumped.

My body listened.

The Cycle I couldn’t get out of

The more milk I removed, the more milk my body produced.

The more milk I produced, the fuller I became.

The fuller I became, the more often I felt like I needed to pump.

Before long, I was producing far more milk than my baby could drink, and I couldn’t skip a pump without becoming painfully engorged. My deep freezer was full, my dad’s deep freezer was full, my mom’s… and my sister’s. I was now drowning in milk and if I tried to cut back, I would be in so much pain.

I had unintentionally trained my body to think multiple babies needed feeding. At five months in, I was pumping out 19-22 ounces- each session, four times a day.

I was chasing the highest number of ounces I could pump out. The thoughts of, “just a few more minutes” sent my body in to overdrive.

The Reality of Living With an Oversupply

People often say, “I wish I had that problem.”

I understand why they say it—but oversupply isn’t as easy as it sounds.

For me, it meant:

• Constantly planning my day around pumping.
• Waking up painfully full.
• Leaking through shirts and bras.
• Dealing with clogged ducts.
• Blood in my milk (Strawberry milk)
• Feeling anxious if I was away from my pump too long.
• Spending hours every day pumping, cleaning parts, and storing milk.

I was grateful I could feed my baby, but I was also exhausted.

What I Wish I Had Known

If I could go back, I’d tell myself that more milk isn’t always better.

Your goal doesn’t have to be filling a freezer. Your goal is feeding your baby while taking care of yourself, too.

Every breastfeeding and pumping journey looks different, and having an oversupply comes with its own challenges.

Under the resources tab on the top right of my home page, you’ll find a full downloadable pumping schedule that I used that was very helpful in building my supply. I also attached a weaning schedule that will prevent clogged ducts and engorgement.

If You’re Worried About Building an Oversupply

If you’re exclusively pumping, it’s worth talking with a lactation consultant if you’re unsure about your schedule. Pumping more often or removing more milk than your baby needs can increase your supply over time- a very helpful tip for those who have the opposite problem.

Every mom’s situation is different, so what worked for me—or what didn’t—may not be right for you.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, I wish someone had told me that it’s okay not to chase a huge freezer stash or feel like you have to produce as much milk as possible.

Exclusive pumping is already a full-time job. Give yourself permission to find a routine that supports both your baby and your own well-being.

If my story sounds familiar, know you’re not alone. Whether you’re struggling with low supply, oversupply, or somewhere in between, you’re doing an incredible job.

Thank you for being here and letting me share a little piece of my journey. I hope it reminds you that motherhood isn’t about perfection—it’s about showing up, learning as you go, and giving yourself grace along the way.

If you have any questions or would like to know more tips and tricks about the journey of exclusive pumping- message me, I’d love to share!

Life isn’t perfect, but it can still be beautiful.