Overactive letdown

Do you have a fast letdown?

It’s not uncommon for some babies to cough, splutter, and even to arch their backs when feeding at the breast – and generally appear quite distressed. 

Initially, when doing the first fast sucks, things may seem fine, but as soon as the milk lets down, this unsettled behavior starts. Some mothers may notice that this also happens at various intervals throughout the feed.

If your baby is displaying these behaviors, it may be a sign that you have an overactive letdown (forceful let down), and it can be quite distressing for you and your baby.

You may also be experiencing sore nipples as your baby tries to clamp down to control the forceful flow of milk.

He may swallow lots of air in the process and may also become quite windy and unsettled. Some even bring up milk because of the frequently swallowed air.

I want to talk to you through four strategies that can help.

Feed Frequently

One of the first things is to allow your baby to come to the breast frequently to feed, keeping your breasts as soft as possible all day and night.

Try to prevent any engorgement. Engorgement is when your breasts may feel overly full to the point of pain. If you become engorged, it can be more difficult for your baby to latch, together with the fast flow issue! Keeping your breast as soft as possible will enable the flow to be as slow as needed, and a lot more manageable for your baby.

Hand Expression

A little hand expression before latching your baby will enable the first fast-flowing milk to come off the breast, which will take just a few seconds of hand expression. Have a look at the information on the technique of hand expression if you have never done that before. 

Before each feed, take the smallest amount of milk off the breast. You don’t have to collect it or give it to your baby. You could catch it into a muslin cloth, and that will enable the first fast bit of milk to slow down, which in turn will make the feed more manageable for your baby.

Change Position

It can also make a big difference to allow your baby to feed in more upright positions – you can recline back and allow your baby to rest against your body. He can feed at any angle around the clock face of the breast. Ensure his head is a little bit higher than the rest of his body, which will give him more control over the flow.

Feed On the Same Breast

I must stress that it’s important to remember to hand express (with your hand only, not a pump) on the breast where your baby isn’t feeding, to keep yourself comfortable if you feel uncomfortably full. This will help to prevent blocked ducts.

The good news is that as your baby gets bigger, he will be able to control the flow of milk a lot better, and your supply nearly always settles down.