forceful letdown and pumping

AJluvsLI

So I definitely have a forceful letdown and it really frustrates DS to the point where he will scream and cry while eating.  If I stop pumping will it help my milk not come out so fast or make no difference?

I want to keep pumping so I can build up a supply for when I return back to work, but I'd rather have a happy baby and then maybe start pumping again when he's older enough to handle the faster milk flow. 

ncbelle

How old is your kiddo?

Pumping won't affect the rate of your flow, just the amount of milk you have.  What worked for me was to let my milk spray off into a towel after kiddo pulled off screaming.  Once it slowed down, he was able to latch back on.  I would sometimes hand express a bit as well.  After a few weeks, kiddo learned to adjust to my flow and didn't mind the spray anymore.

AJluvsLI

He's 1 month.  He does pull off and I let it squirt for awhile but then he will eat for awhile and pull off again and it's spraying again.  It's a long, frustrating process.

Sometimes I honestly feel like it would just be easier and better for him if I gave him a bottle 100% of the time.  I just want what's best for him.   

ETA: Also, when he starts getting really frustrated I will just use the nipple shield even though he has no problems with latching on because it helps prevent the spraying.  But now he seems to not be wanting to nurse without it at all which is also frustrating. 

Temp534591562502098

you can pump if you want but you are still establishing your supply at 1 month so the more you pump in addition to nursing the more your breasts will make and possibly contribute to the forceful letdown more since you will be fuller more often.

I had foreceful letdown and found that trying different positions worked better. I did the normal cradle hold but reclined more (halfway laying down) as she lay even with the breast so that the flow wasn't as strong. look on kellymom.com they have more tips to try.

ncbelle

That was the age when it was definitely the worst for us.  It will get better in a few weeks so hang in there!  It really does help to hand express after he pulls off.  I started nursing side lying (make sure to put something under you) and that really helped as well.