Fast let down and oversupply issues!

[Aarti96]

Hi all,

My DS has turned 5 weeks today and I am currently trying to EBF but so far I’ve resorted to mixed feeding occasionally (which I’ve been pretty upset about).

Today we’ve had an exceptionally bad day with breastfeeding. I’ve been putting DS to my breast all day but he’s been choking, coughing and pulling off constantly (RIP to my nipples) and milk has just been flowing out of his mouth. He’s been crying non stop at the breast and I’m at my wits end!

I’ve tried lying down to slow the fast let down. I’ve tried to hand express milk (but weirdly nothing ever seems to come out) and I’ve tried pumping a little (but again not much comes out). Nothing seems to work.

I’ve read threads where mums say their milk sprays out and they’re able to express the initial let down but I don’t think I’ve ever sprayed milk out! I do soak through my breast pads and bras constantly though…

He’s usually not this bad, he does get fussy in the evenings sometimes but never like this. I just feel so sorry for my little man because he’s obviously hungry but he can’t seem to deal with the amount of milk coming out.

Just wanted some advice really. Has anyone had a similar experience?

Breastfeeding is hard work especially in the early days! I'm currently feeding my 5 month old DS and do have a fast let down as well.

Some of these worked for me: side lying position with the baby resting on feeding pillow. Or lying down on the bed. A lactation consultant also advised to feed leaning back on a chair/pillows and to let the baby feed tummy to tummy. This position didn't work for us though.

If you have a breast pump would you be able to express? Don't be disheartened if you don't express huge amounts in the beginning.. be sure to have the initiation setting then going to maintenance. Also helps if you can see/smell the baby to start the let down. You can give EBM via bottles but can resort to breast exclusively once things settle down.

There is also a breastfeeding support group on Facebook who offers advice and support: breastfeeding support UK.

www.facebook.com/groups/1346569932113892/permalink/4039597036144488/
Link to the breastfeeding support group

Just a thought, are you sure he doesn’t have a tongue tie?

@SheWoreYellow I have a suspicion that he does have some sort of tongue tie. I had a lactation consultant check him a couple of weeks ago and she said she could feel a slight posterior tongue tie but she said it was so slight that it shouldn’t effect his feeding. However, I’m convinced he has a lip tie and tongue tie issue. I’m going to get a second opinion because we did have major latching problems at the beginning.

@pepinanalilyplant thank you - I’ll definitely have a look at that group!

Laid back breastfeeding worked for me when I experienced oversupply. Lying on you back and baby tummy to tummy works well for this. Also no pumping which contributes to oversupply. Likely he will catch up to your supply or your supply will calm down.

Oh and yes check for TT particularly a posterior TT which are easily missed.

You could try using a hakkaa suction pump for the let down.
With the over supply I found only feeding from one side (block feeding) really helped regulate and stop the oversupply. It's so hard because lots of people say how lucky you are (I suppose it is better to have more than enough) but it's so painful and demotivating. Hope you find it settles soon!!

@dreamygirl25 oh yes! I’ve been meaning to get a Hakkaa pump, I think I’ll order it right now and see if that helps. Thank you!

@Muttly yes I definitely think the pumping may be making things worse so I’m going to try stopping that and see if it makes a difference.

My grandmother taught me this. Like her, I'm generously endowed, and had to hold the breast tissue up a bit in order not to cover the baby's nose with breast tissue and suffocating it. To stop the big gush of milk choking the poor baby when first put on the breast, gently press against the aureola as you hold the breast and insert the nipple right into the baby's mouth. As the baby starts to suckle, keep the gentle pressure up until the gush subsides into a flow the baby can cope with.

@BligeMe oh interesting I’ll give that a go at the next feed and see if it makes a difference