BF question

hudsonsmama

I've been breast feeding and pumping for my baby. Now that I've been pumping more than breastfeeding, when I do breastfeed my baby, he is gulping the milk and fusses a lot (since it seems like he's not able to breath since he's gulping so fast). What can I do to help him? Is the pump causing this issue since it's releasing more milk when pumping?

amyfelice

I think this is called an overactive let down response. Generally the pump is less efficient than the baby so I don't think that's the problem, it just can happen to some women. I have seen on here that some people feed the baby while they are laying back and the baby gets on top of the breast. Gravity helps a little to keep the milk from choking the baby. You can also google to see what else comes up under overactive let down.

NorcalLinds

Can you stop pumping? You might have created an oversupply. I was doing that in the beginning and Dylan wasn't a fan. I also have a really fast let down. I followed some of the tips on kellymom and the helped. Over time he has gotten used to it.

alibee09

One more vote for OAL. If you're a new mom then usually baby can/will get used to it -- at least, that's my experience and what I learned from a couple other moms with the same issue. Also, you can try detaching baby when let down occurs and let down into a towel until things slow up a bit, then offer th breast again

love22

I didn't have an overactive let down but my sister did and a way crazy over supply.  She always started feeding him.  Pulled him off and waited for it literally stop spraying and then she laid down and put him on her stomach.  He didn't have issues with gulping but he would spit up horribly because he was choking as her milk came down.