Coping with forceful let down

[stargirl1701]

DD2 is 3 weeks old. We were doing well. Latch was good. She is now arching away from the breast as soon as the milk starts flowing and screaming. What do I do? Feeding is becoming a real struggle.

Have you tried expressing a bit before you feed her?

Every time? Won't that just mean I end up with too much milk?

Honestly, the idea of pumping before every feed is soul destroying. That's at least 12 times a day. I relactated with my eldest so I know how punishing a schedule it is. Breastfeeding is meant to be easier than formula. If I'm pumping like that it just isn't.

If you recline while feeding it should lessen the flow.

stargirl can you hand express? That's usually easy with a forceful letdown and while not exactly convenient when out, if you're home it's not too much trouble (just do it into a cup or something and chuck). Also less likely to up your supply.

I meant hand express. Just a small amount like rooty suggests.

Reclining is an issue as I have a bulging lumbar disc and lingering SPD symptoms. I have had some success with side lying but that is only useful at night. I need to be able to feed sitting up as I need to go out with my toddler.

I have been trying hand expressing but it doesn't seem to make any difference.

Sorry to hear about your back and SPD OP. Sounds like you have a lot to deal with.

Sorry if this is stating the obvious, but kellymom has a page on forceful letdown that has lots of ideas, some of which may be helpful?

kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/fast-letdown/

I had read that page, thanks. Trying everything but not having much success. I was hoping for a magic MN answer

I am feeling very frustrated. I have milk. The latch is good. I'm still failing.

I found block feeding worked a bit. When you do change sides, do that feed at home lying down / where you can express a bit first, as that one might be a bit explosive.
It will get better after a few weeks as baby grows, on th positive side with mine it made them very quick feeders after the first couple of months!

I have nothing more. But wanted to say hang in there, if you want to keep feeding - supply settles down, and she will grow / learn quickly - it's likely that in a few long weeks it may change. Sympathy, it must be utterly frustrating.

Oh wait, one more idea. Nipple shield?

I have a similar problem with my 19 day old although he does latch eventually and seems happy once he's settled. Could it be colic? My LO gulps my milk a lot and gets quite a lot of wind and discomfort, more so at night, and burping him doesn't seem to do much. He then gets grumpy about latching on and does the arching the back thing and sometimes cries. He's not been too bad since we started Infacol before feeds mind you.

I also have forceful let down. I've only ever managed to feed with nipple shields (she was premature) and I think the forceful let down contributes to being unable to wean off them. The shield reduces the stream from hitting her mouth. If all else fails then try them?

Hello. Many thanks for all the advice. So, today we have tried expressing in combination with block feeding. DD2 seems to be coping a little better.

We are holding nipple shields in the wings to try if needed.