My let down is getting absurd!! Any advice welcome!

[theUrbanDryad]

ds is 5 months old, still exclusively bf, bf-ing well established with only minor problems but...

my let down is really strong, sometimes it seems like ds is fighting with it. he's at that really distractable age and pulls off when we're feeding in public and i spray everywhere! also, i've been feeling the let down at odd moments, usually if any baby cries (in Tesco, on the telly, in the street!) or if i've been having lots of skin to skin with ds (like if i go in the bath with him)

i know i shouldn't really complain, as some people struggle to establish a supply and mines always been fairly epic, but is there anything i can do to stop this happening? it's costing me a fortune in breast pads!! (and i'm bored of only wearing black tops! )

[Lovage]

Has never been my problem unfortuntely, but I think I remember reading that doing the rugby hold can help with a too fast letdown. Or you could express a bit first if you're at home (you could probably just hand express into a cup if your letdown's that good). Or even out and about if you don't mind dumping a bit down a sink in a toilet. Eargh, maybe not...

I use washable reuseable breast pads which I think works out cheaper, although it might not for you if you're not planning on carrying on much longer. I find the Lansinoh ones are best (least leaky)

[dressedupnowheretogo]

mine was the same lol

tommee tippee breast pads never ever leaked and i have huge boobs

i also had to put up with lots of spraying

i dont think they're is much you can do maybe sit lo up abit if possible whilst your feeding

my lo is 10 months old now and sometimes i have a let down for no apparent reason a nd beileve mde i threw out the breast pads along time ago

i would be grateful you are producing so much milke i found expressing at the same time slowed things down so maybe that will help?

[Wilbur]

I was like you - used to be able to spray milk for about 10 feet - lovely. The dcs all had a bit of a struggle with the initial latching on because of it. As Lovage said, rugby ball position helps, but that's hard to do in public. Also, ecpressing a little bit before feeding starts help control the explosion! It took until about 6 months before I no longer needed breast pads, but washable ones were my saviour.

[motherinferior]

I found washables soaked through instantly

No real advice as I never found a way round it. The worst was when a tiny Inferiorette would latch on, get a violent jet down the back of her throat and pull away as I jetted wildly over everything in sight...

[mears]

If you feel letdown when you are not feeding then press your breast into your chest with the heel of your hand firmly over the nipple. That will stop it.

Same as when he comes off - use a cloth and press hard, if you are not at home to catch it for the freezer that is.

[luciemule]

I'd buy some washable breast pads to start with - I wish I had - I spent loads on pads with DD1 and almost as many with DS2.

I used to have let down when other peoples' babies cried - it was a nightmare but once you're milk is bablanced out (perhaps your DC is having a growth spurt and taking more milk) it'll lessen the spraying incidents!

[EssieW]

same problem here with 6 week old. The only solution I've found for public feeding is to have a muslin handy to clamp onto breast when he pulls away and I spray everywhere...

[theUrbanDryad]

mears - i was told that pressing down on my boob when i felt the let down could lead to blocked ducts??

what's the rugby ball position please?

[eca]

rugby/football hold and other positions here

I have the same problem and find that when I'm really full using this hold and sitting ds almost upright helps him cope with the fast flow.

[mears]

Yes you can get blocked ducts when you wear bras etc that have continual pressure on the ducts. We are talking about an intermittent short lasting pressure here with your hand. I never had a problem with blocked ducts at all when feeding any of my four. I suppose it might be a problem if you are prone to them.

[mears]

here is some advice