BFing choking baby

Monilee1017 · February 2016

DD is almost 4 weeks and this week she started choking at almost every feeding. I called the pediatricians LC and she told me to BF lying down or reclined. She isn't lying down but she is still in choking when reclining. Is this happening to anyone else? Is there anything that is helping? She said it has to do with my let down.

failuretofly · February 2016

I think your LC mean YOU should be lying down or reclined, not LO. So she sits on top of your nipple and milk has to flow UP into her mouth. I also have this same problem, but reclining doesn't seem to help much. You can try popping LO off when you feel your letdown happen and let it drain into a bottle or onto a towel and put LO back on when you notice it slow down a bit. The good news is it means you have an excellent milk supply!

kaym6 · February 2016

I have this exact problem! It also started around 4 weeks and every single nursing session was a nightmare with him constantly popping on and off and choking and coughing and crying I felt AWFUL. I also tried the whole reclining and laid back nursing and it didn't really help me a ton. I did just pay attention to his eating and as soon as I noticed him gulping or seeming overwhelmed I would take him off and give him a breather while letting my milk go into a towel or bottle. What worked for me is only feeding him one side per feeding, unless of course he still seemed hungry. he's currently 6 weeks and it's gotten ALOT better. I was so ready to quit because it was awful and so stressful having him cry and scream the entire feeding because he was choking but my supply seems to have regulated some. It still comes out super fast but it seems like now he will only come off the nipple once or twice and only is choking if I'm super engorged and not every feeding all feeding like it was. I was also told that as the baby gets older they will be able to better deal with your fast flow! Good luck I know how stressful that is!

Monilee1017 · February 2016

@kvacmak yes she means me to be reclining but LO still chokes when I am like that.

@kaym6 glad to hear it gets better. I was scared today I wanted to quit because it took her so long to start breathing again.

bbrownlee1 · February 2016

I have the same problem almost every feeding for the first minute or 2. I have actually been squirting him in the face like a hose or something before I can get it covered. Poor guy. I try to pull him off when I can tell is getting overwhelming. I honestly didn't realize it didn't happen to everyone until a few weeks ago when someone had a post on here about it since the same thing happened with my first child.

Blueyedsky · February 2016

Yes! I have an oversupply and forceful let down. It really really helps to pump for 5 mins first before feeding baby, if you can!

l4rk · February 2016

Can you recline further? I get my best recline on when I'm on the couch because I can lean wayyy back until she's basically right on top of me.

StephEppie · February 2016

We've had the same thing too. It seems for us what's helped was to have her sitting up with my legs crossed and feed her that way. It scared me the first few times it happened too. She's learned how to get it down though. It took a while but she feeds quick which is awesome, especially at night makes for much quicker feeds.

mbud926 · February 2016

I had the same issue. Every time he would choke, he would pull away and get sprayed in the face. After trying several recommendations, I started pumping and bottle feeding and it makes it much more pleasant for both of us. I can still breastfeed in between pumping sessions if I want and the choking/milk shower isn't an issue.

alisongem · February 2016

I have this problem too! I can see in her face when she gets a mouthful so I pull off to give her a second. I also heard it's really helpful to pump a little before feeding. It'll get out that milk build up so it won't be as forceful when baby nurses! I'm currently doing that right now actually! Haha.

KimC2010 · February 2016

Mine does best with side lying. She chokes almost anytime we sit up and bf,

kaym6 · February 2016

I also have pumped a little before! Especially when I'm extra full. Does anyone else make a giant mess every single time? I keep thinking there is no way I can casually Feed him in public because he's SO loud and it makes such a mess!

livins · February 2016

@kaym6 I'm in the same boat. We are both a mess after she eats and all I think is I'm not doing this in public. I've pumped and brought bottles if we go out. I couldn't imagine going about my day after both of us being saturated in breastmilk.

kaym6 · February 2016

@livins haha I know that's what I'm going to have to do! Either that or get a bigger diaper bag so I can carry a tarp with me at all times to lay out to feed him on lol jk

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