Anyone have issues with too fast of a flow with breastmilk?

LovingStepMom · March 2011

I have been having trouble with LO for the last 2 weeks breastfeeding and it has left me bewildered since he started out and had continued breastfeeding great!

I spoke with a LC and found out that the reason we have projectile spit up, gas bubbles constantly, uncomfortableness, etc... is because my flow is too fast...he can't get it all down quick enough.

Has anyone else experienced this? How did you manage it?

I've already begun expressing a ton of milk before hand and breastfeeding while he is in a sitting up position...but I'm still noticing the same symptoms.

TIA! (I posted this on the BF board...but I think I'll get more replies here than I did there)

vflipo · March 2011

My LO can't swallow fast enough, and I end up with milk all over the place. I'm slowly switching to EPing because I'm getting frustrated and she's getting frustrated (and missing out on a lot of milk because it leaks out of her mouth everywhere). She hasn't been satisfied after BFing. It's really been the best thing for both of us. I can pump while she sleeps and it doesn't take an hour, she takes the bottle really well and is always much happier after, and she's still getting BM.

CGmommaAmber · March 2011

I also have a too fast letdown- it comes spraying out so fast he chokes and gags. I don't have an answer for you though, because I've been trying the same things you mentioned and so far its not helping. Does your LO have gas problems? Mine does and I'm thinking its related to this.

LovingStepMom · March 2011

CGmommaAmber:
I also have a too fast letdown- it comes spraying out so fast he chokes and gags. I don't have an answer for you though, because I've been trying the same things you mentioned and so far its not helping. Does your LO have gas problems? Mine does and I'm thinking its related to this.

He does have gas problems...and the LC said it was most probably related to this same thing...so I am trying my best to manage it. Last night (who knows how I did it)..but I was able to manage to feed him with minimal gas bubbles...and because of it he actually slept 5 hours in a row for the first time....I was amazed!

However, I haven't so successful today with his fussiness, gas bubbles, my let down, etc...

Good luck!

magdalina.h · March 2011

I don't have this problem but at bf-ing support group yesterday they addressed this. They recommened once the baby is latched, lean back. I didn't hear why to lean back though

jess1984 · March 2011

magdalina.h:
I don't have this problem but at bf-ing support group yesterday they addressed this. They recommened once the baby is latched, lean back. I didn't hear why to lean back though

For dd i use the football hold andf i burp often. leaning back make gravity work and it doesnt come down as quick the baby actually has to work for it. you can tr leaning back in a glider chair, and have baby tummy to tummy anf flat facing towards your boob. if that makes sense.

CGmommaAmber · March 2011

magdalina.h:
I don't have this problem but at bf-ing support group yesterday they addressed this. They recommened once the baby is latched, lean back. I didn't hear why to lean back though

I will try this! I'm open for any suggestions, he is an awful sleeper because of all this gas!!

SarahTx5701 · March 2011

yes, I have this issue too. I have tried everything. Leaning back (it's so the milk doesn't shoot down their throat so fast and it will kind of pool out of them mouth. Gravity basically)

my ds has terrible gas, reflux, projectile spit up, it's a mess.

I'm thisclose to pumping for a day and seeing if that helps his issues. I'm beside myself. I truly believe it's all from this overactive letdown crap.

I have tried pumping before hand and it really doesn't help, he just gulps the milk the same pace he did before.

I don't have much more advice, just know other share the issue with you. We're all together.

citychicks · March 2011

Unfortunately, I think you are doing all you can. He will get better at swallowing and will get used to it really quickly. Until then, keep pumping a little before you feed, feed him sitting up and burp him well when he is done. My let down is really fast as well, and DS#1 had reflux on top of it, but it worked itself out around 3 mths (reflux) and he got used to the explosion let down around 6 weeks.

misswilddog · March 2011

I have this problem too...I have started pumping during the day and bottle feeding my son. At night it is too time consuming to pump and then feed so I just nurse him, I only just started doing this on Tuesday, so I'm not sure if it's helping or not. I also get engorged alot so this helps with that as well.

FutureHuxtables6_14_08 · March 2011

I had this issue as well and tried feeding LO while he was sitting up. Also, expressing a little milk before feeding helps, as well as feeding on one side only for 3-4 hours. It was horrible for a bit but I kept BFing and it eventually resolved after a few weeks. Hang in there!

rezelle · March 2011

I've been having issues with this as well. I get really freaked out because DS will start choking right after let down (even if I lean back) and I hate to see him like that. I've found that during the day if I pump and give him the milk in a Playtex drop-in bottle with a slowflow latex nipple (it's the only kind he likes) then there is considerably less gas/spit up and no choking. At nighttime I feed him in the side lying position in bed. I put a blanket under him, and the milk he can't swallow just dribbles out of his mouth onto the blanket. Usually with this position there is still some spit up afterward, but no choking.

Also this link might help: https://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/fast-letdown.html

HenHen25 · March 2011

I met with an LC yesterday and she said my super fast let down is what is causing all the gas my LO has had. She recommended letting him suck a couple times then immediately burping him. She said that will keep him from swallowing too much milk right away. Then she said make sure to burp him at least every 5-10 min.

Lucky_Dragonfly · March 2011

I only have this issue if I am too full. DD chokes a little but then she figures out how to manage it and everything is better.

madhatter2003 · March 2011

yep, I did with both kids.

Lean back while nursing or use the side laying position.

Let them latch on and when you let down unlatch and spray into a towel. Then continue the feed once the 'gush' has passed.

Block feed - feed on one side only and don't switch within a 2-3 hour time if they are cluster feeding. This will help ensure they get the hindmilk which helps on the gas.

It's a fairly common problem and a lot of the similar signs of gassiness, fussiness, spitting up associated with reflux can be caused by this, so try these things first.

etude de la vie · March 2011

madhatter2003:
yep, I did with both kids.
Lean back while nursing or use the side laying position.
Let them latch on and when you let down unlatch and spray into a towel. Then continue the feed once the 'gush' has passed.
Block feed - feed on one side only and don't switch within a 2-3 hour time if they are cluster feeding. This will help ensure they get the hindmilk which helps on the gas.
It's a fairly common problem and a lot of the similar signs of gassiness, fussiness, spitting up associated with reflux can be caused by this, so try these things first.

This is what I was told exactly by a LC!

jolynn326 · March 2011

I have this issue, and DD started to struggle with it all when she was about 2.5 weeks old. What helped me the most is to same-side feed two or three times in a row and lie back almost completely while feeding. Then, I just had to grin and bear it, because it does get better. I feel pretty confident saying that DD has it all figured out now and our trouble with this is already a thing of the past. But I feel ya... it was rough for a while! Be sure to give LO a chance to breathe/burp frequently and try not to let him get over hungry.

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