Positions for fast let down, tried everything!

andreaAL11

Sorry if this is long! I've also read a lot about the fast let downs and things to try but I just can not find anything that works and maybe some of you can help me figure out something?
At first I had no problem with feedings, but that was the first few weeks and she was easily fed in the football hold from the start! And then my milk started to come in and she stared choking due to the fact that I had a fast let down (after searching the Internet for a bit). I tried looking up how to help this and what was mentioned was maybe try breastfeeding laying down or leaning back as you feed in football or cradle. But the problem is that I feel when I lean back her head is too heavy for my breast and makes it flatter, and is uncomfortable, I'm not very busty to begin with. And so I've been doing the laying down position, which is going fine but how do I breastfeed in public?
Another thing is I can't feed her laying down on my left side because she has reflux and it's harder for her to keep her food down when she's laying on that side (I think due to the fact this is where the esophagus is or something like that, sorry if I'm wrong). So that side I end up just pumping.
I'm a FTM so I'm really bad at this and I haven't got a hang of it, I just need to see if someone me of you have any similar experiences! Also I know I should have a LC, I just haven't looked into if I have to pay for one and if my insurance covers it!
Thank you guys!

Mizuiro007

WIC has lactation consultants if your insurance doesn't cover one and you could also look into a breastfeeding support group. Where I'm at WIC even has a peer support I believe you can use even if you don't qualify for checks.

I've heard some women have better luck with a saddle hold. This especially may be easier to manage in public and as baby gets older.

You can try pumping or hand expressing before feeding, just enough to get past that initial letdown. After that the flow usually slows.

With DD for a while I would let her nurse to initiate letdown then let her pull off and take a pacifier while I held a nursing pad or towel over my breast for a moment with a bit of pressure. It usually wouldn't take long before the flow would slow and I'd have her latch again. It's also gotten easier as she's gotten older and she's getting more used to it and can keep up better.

DandT2point0

WIC's FREE lactation support services are provided under the program name Mom's Place. This FREE service is available to all mom's independent of qualifying for (other) WIC services.

I'd never heard of Mom's Place until I had my babe six weeks ago. My experience with the two LCs we've seen has been very positive and I'd recommend the program to every mom desiring to breastfeed.

Have I mentioned Mom's Place is FREE?!?!?

TomekiaB

My LC recommended an asymmetrical latch which points my nipple towards the roof of DS mouth vs the throat so he has more control over the speed. Also to make sure I leave room for him to back off when he needs to so I support his head but don't hold it in place towards my breast. We learned this in cross cradle at 12 days, he can do saddle now at a month but was not having it much younger (ditto latching laying parallel to me).

kksquared

We use saddle also known as Australian for my fast letdown. If it's really bad we will do laying down with me on my back and him on my belly parallel to me.

JElizbetty

I have a nippe shield it keeps the milk from squirting in his mouth so he doesn't choke, I got it at first because I had a flat nipple but it also works with the fast let down

andreaAL11

I guess I will try the saddle hold, it seems to be another alternative. I feel like she's so wobbly though to be sitting up!! But thank you ladies! I will also look into WIC for a LC

RachDaRach

It was recommended to me to have DS do 2 feedings on each side before switching. It worked! Also, I pump usually once a day for future bottles, and I found by accident that if I pump first thing in the morning, it helps for the rest of the day.