First time mum, trying to EBF 4 day old with very fast letdown! Need advice

[esho]

Hello

EBF my 4 day old, all going well so far.

Feeding every 2.5 hours and she feeds between 5-10 minutes.

Midwife yesterday was very happy with her as she’s only lost 3.9% of her birth weight (6lbs 13oz down to 6lb 9oz)

I’m worried about my letdown being too fast

She is fine for the first 5 minutes but then begins to cough. After most feeds some of it comes back up. Tonight she pulled herself away, went very red and screamed. She was easily calmed down but was just super alert after that whereas she’s previously been falling asleep straight away.

What can I do about it? I don’t want her to be uncomfortable or choke.

Do you still feel engorged?
When did your milk come in?
You should begin to start regulating soon once your body understands her needs.

If you can feel your letdown about to happen, I would pull her off just before (slipping your little finger in to break the latch) and placing a hakaa there to collect the let down.

If you don't need the additional milk, use for baths etc x

It came in yesterday eve I think. Yes feel engorged. I can’t feel it unfortunately. But I could always try pulling her off as soon as she’s latched. Thank you xx

I agree with taking her off before the let down comes. My DD used to always come off for the letdown and I had to grab a muslin to hold over me as the milk sprayed everywhere 🙄
As she got bigger it became less of an issue, partly because I think my letdown decreased, and partly because she was just bigger so able to cope better with it.

Hi OP, I had this too and found the following helped:

• let baby feed for a bit, until let down or she coughs/gags, then let the milk out into a haakaa or muslin until it's slowed/stopped flowing then put her back on
• feed in the laid back position (Google)
• feed lying down (really comfy and they can let the milk out of their mouths easier if it's too much)
• just accepting you've got a strong let down and as long as there's no major issues (the odd cough or gag etc is ok) then she'll adapt and probably be a super quick feeder before long 😁

How are you doing OP?