Breastfeeding choking/coughing

[rach1stbaby]

Hi all,
Nearly 7 week old baby, I have pretty much exclusively breastfed the whole time, overcome the normal breastfeeding hurdles, sore nipples, mastitis etc... however this one I haven't managed.
baby chokes when breastfeeding, I have fed her upright for most of the 7 weeks because of this, upon recommendation of a midwife, which seems to have helped a little (she's doing it less often).
I have mentioned to a couple of doctors also and they all have the same reaction, saying that babies are quite resilient but haven't exactly advised that I stop, even when I've asked if I should they didn't agree. They don't give off any worried vibes, however they also just suggest I attend the breastfeeding class, which I have done, and the midwives just don't seem worried, but they also haven't witnessed her doing it.
It's pretty scary to me, but my baby doesn't seem too bothered. It's the kind of choking where we would choke on a drink, however it's over in no more than 5 seconds.
What does everyone think? I love breastfeeding and feel like it does bond me and my baby. Just not sure how we're supposed to overcome this. Has anyone had anything similar?
Thanks

When in the feed does it happen? I had a very fast let down and my poor babies coughed and spluttered. I had to take them off and express a little bit then start again. It settled down after about 8 to 12 weeks.

Is it more at the beginning of a feed or mid-feed? If it's at the beginning of a feed you might just have a fast let down. You could hand express a little before you start and see if that helps?

Same as PP, my milk was coming in too fast, so I’d express a little and when the flow slowed down start feeding the baby.
Good luck, OP!

You probably have a fast letdown, if you express a little bit off before feeding (you can save/freeze this or just do it into a muslin) it will be easier for your baby to latch.

Yep sounds like a fast let down! Like pp I expressed a little until the initial let down slowed, then latched LO on. It did settle at some point.

It's not a reason to stop BF in itself, unless you want to stop?

Honestly it is so ridiculous in this country - you've mentioned this problem to multiple midwives and doctors and taken a breastfeeding class and nobody has explained this relatively common problem and the extremely easy fix - within ten minutes of posting on mumsnet four people have nailed the exact issue.

WTF is breastfeeding support even DOING?

*Five!

My baby does this with my let down! He's 10 weeks now and starting to handle it better.

Tbh he comes off then goes back on so other than getting a bit milky it's not much of a problem.

If you haven't already, I recommend laid back or side lying breastfeeding, that tends to make it easier for my little boy.

@BertieBotts MN told me my newborn couldn’t latch properly because of a tongue tie… BF support is non-existent.

Wow thanks so much for all the fast replies, it's good to know I'm not the only one who's poor babies are choking (in a weird way!!)
I should have mentioned it's not at the start of a feed, it's towards the end, which doesn't make much sense does it. Sometimes it's in the middle somewhere.
Midwife thought she might be falling asleep on the boob with milk in her mouth and to tickle her cheek to wake her up, I think it helped for a while but she's still doing it.
I worry my baby isn't going to recover which is why obviously I would give up breastfeeding so there's no risk anymore. I absolutely love breastfeeding though and feel like me and my baby have a stronger bond because of it. X

I’ve had this abit with my DD. Where milk would sometimes come out if her nose too. It’s awful to witness but she’s not phased. My breastfeeding support group suggested it is due to her getting distracted and holding the milk in her mouth. Although maybe your baby is abit young to be distracted?? Anyway I’ve started using a BFing cover when I’m somewhere she’s likely to get distracted, maybe give that a go?

I used to have this with my little one (now 7 months and still happens occasionally). I phoned health visiting team for advice and they sent round a breastfeeding peer supporter who taught me how to feed in the laid back position which helped. Also I had quite a strong supply so I used to sometimes hand express a little before a feed to alleviate the issue so you could try that. I would do specifically hand expressing rather than pumping for this though as it is gentler and won't send the message to your breasts to make more milk.

@HettyMeg Did your LO get over coughing while breastfeeding after 7 months?
When you started solids was it easy? Adapted well with solids?
Mine is currently 5.5 months and coughs at times when she dozes off on the breast, she pools in milk, pauses breathing and sputters. Also rarely when she's very distracted - I think it's when she is sleepy but I try to feed her.
I am planning to start solids for her in 2 weeks and I'm kinda nervous!