Ridiculous overactive letdown

[Somethingvague]

Hi,

I'm hoping some experienced mums can give me some advice! I struggled with an overactive letdown/possible oversupply with my son, and now seem to be having the same issue with my 5 week old daughter. Up until this point breastfeeding had been going really well and I just needed to lean back during feeds to compensate for my overactive letdown on one side, however now it seems to have become ridiculous. She just came off choking during a feed (which happens often anyway) while the milk poured from me like a fountain, soaking her and me and a muslin. This is around the same age that it started becoming a problem with my son and it caused massive issues with gassiness, reflux and colic (he literally wouldn't bother latching on properly because the milk just poured out). I'm very worried about this happening again. With my son it only resolved sometime around 12 weeks as he got big enough to handle it.

Does anyone have any tips beyond learning back/changing position for feeds? I have a hakka but am not sure if using it would make things even worse. When I hand express, I end up completely soaked. It only affects one side, the other is lovely and peaceful.

Thank you for any advice

I had this issue too in the early days with both my DC. What I'd do is stand over the sink and hand express to get rid of the initial gush of milk, then once it had stopped pouring out was just dripping I'd feed them. You could also use a breast pump, if you prefer, but I found it less faff to just do it over the sink!

PS. I recommend stripping to the waist first if you normally get soaked. It's a bit undignified by hey ho, everything about having babies is!

Thank you! It's so annoying - so much for being able to peacefully sit and feed on the sofa. I'm soaked. I'm worried that pumping might make it even worse.

Pumping shouldn't make it worse if you just pump off the initial, gushing bit. If you feel a whole bottle and then feed, then yes your breast will think it needs to make that much milk to feed your baby, but just to relieve the pressure it can work. The sink method is easier though

*fill, not feel

Thank you!

I had the same problem with both and I used to lean over the sink and get rid of the excess. Both my children would still choke and gag a lot but my second got the hang of it quicker. It's difficult but I would say pumping can also help as it calms down once you get going.

I managed to put my hakaa to good use today. Baby had a few sucks and then came off as letdown started; I stuck the hakaa on for a couple of minutes and got 2oz! Baby was then able to feed peacefully for the rest. Probably not doable for every feed on that side, but very impressed by how it worked!