DD just threw up entire feed whilst breastfeeding

[TickledOnion]

DD2 is 3 weeks old. She was happily breastfeeding when she suddenly threw up a huge quantity of milk all over the 2 of us and the sofa. She seems OK now, but is this normal? What could have caused it? Should I keep trying to feed her?

If she seems happy then I doubt it is a problem. Some babies just do that sometimes. You learn to be prepared . If she wants to feed then let her.

How was she afterwards? I'd feed her in a bit but wind halfway in case it was that. If it happens a few more times I'd speak to your GP about reflux.

I was wondering about reflux. She vomits small amounts all the time when lying down. And she often writhes around and looks uncomfortable, though she doesn't cry much. And she gets hiccups after nearly every feed.
However, she is gaining weight well.

Sounds like my DD (except large vomiting).

It could be reflux or she could be taking excess air down with feeds due to a fast milk flow/letdown? Mine is ridiculous - milk shoots out and DD chokes at my letdown. She also has silent reflux (dry heaving, wriggling even after winded especially after lying down)

i bloody hate it when DD does that.

I think it's partly "eyes bigger than belly" and part wind at the wrong time

just wait till she possetts on your nipple

Always worth speaking to your HV about it if she seems uncomfortable though if she isn't crying/overly upset by it then it probably isn't worth "doing" anything other than winding her well and keeping her upright for a bit after a feed. Some babies have reflux and are uncomfortable and cry about it and it is horrible, some are just "happy chuckers" and bring milk up all the time.

Ds was constantly bringing up milk. He would vomit a full river of milk on an almost daily basis and sick up small amounts after all other feeds/between feeds. Didn't even stop with weaning, it just took on a proper sick smell. Lovely . Grew out of it eventually!

Mine did that a couple of times. I think she just drank too much for her tiny tummy. Cleaned her up and carried on with her next feed when she asked for it. Trying propping one end of her cot so it isn't completely flat and winding half way through the feed.

Thanks for all the replies. I do have a fast let down and she chokes quite often on it. I'll try winding mid-feed, though she feeds so quickly (5-10 mins max) that I'm not sure when mid-feed is.
I have propped her moses basket up but I'm not sure if it makes any difference.

My DD does this too but not often, only once a day, max twice. The doc said so long as it's not all the time and she's gaining weight then it's just one of those things.

Still gross though when you get puke in your bra and then she has the audacity to smile after she's puked!!!

Ok well I'd tackle the fast letdown because that could make the symptoms go away. Look up block feeding (feeding off one boob in a block of time instead of switching during a feed or every other feed). Also feeding reclined, have her head higher than feed when feeding and take her off when letdown occurs and catch the milk with a muslin then put back on once slowed down. I also find lying DD on her left hand side across my knees, supporting her head helps bring wind up easily.

If this doesn't help then investigate the reflux further!

this is useful

Thanks for all the info Iggly. Tried holding DD on her left side and it really helped. As I'm right handed I often hold her in the crook of my left arm with her on her right side. It takes a bit of practice getting used to the other side. I wonder if left-handed mums have less reflux problems with their babies?
Does anyone know if it is safe for her to sleep on her left rather than her back? What could I use to support her in that position?

I put DS to sleep on his left, left arm stretched out to stop him rollking onto his front and do the same with DD when I put her downing did read it was safer than front sleeping but can't remember where I read it.

No, we just have it on the other side!

It's safest to sleep them on their back, but there's no reason why you can't have her on her side when she's dozing in the day, or when you're supervising her.