Baby choking at every feed

[Kmx]

Every time my baby feeds I hear her gagging and eventually choking on milk. I sit her up and pat her back but it can be several seconds before she is able to take a breath and her first breath is a deep desperate breath. It's very frightening.

She's 2 weeks old. Anything I can do to prevent this?

I hold her in a cradle hold & after she has choked she often isn't interested on going back onto the breast.

 

[Sammy43]

My lo occationaly does this. I lean back so the milk doesnt come out as quick. X

 

[noon_child]

Like PP said a laid back position can be better as gravity works against milk flow so it slows down a bit. Also baby can just roll their head to the side to break the latch and take a breath, sometimes in cradle hold the arm that supports baby can restrict head movement a little.

 

[ParisJeTadore]

This is very common in the early weeks of breastfeeding. Your supply is adjusting and often your body will make more milk than baby needs until your supply regulates. My lo has the same issue and I know in time it will get better. If you feel baby is getting overwhelmed with the flow you can always hand express some into a towel during letdown or remove baby gently and relatch them so they have a chance to get caught up with the flow.

 

[1nceUponATime]

Do you have a fast let down? This happens with my baby because my flow is very fast especially in the first few moments she latches.... so sometimes I pull her off and just wait till it stops pouring out of me and then relatch her... for me it has gotten a bit better since she is 6 weeks old now ... I think because she is getting bigger and better at handling it not because my flow isn't as fast.

If milk is coming out too fast try expressing some after your let down just to relieve the "nozzle pressure" as I call it lol.

Or the laid back position is nice but can't be used all the time unfortunately for practical reasons (when you are out and about) but try it at home !

 

[PocoHR]

This happened to us very often because I had a bit of an over supply and a fast let down. Sometimes, I would pump a little before nursing, it was tough but helped regulate the amount he got. Also, make sure you aren't squeezing your breast at all when feeding, I know its hard because you have to position everything, but I had to remember to hold not squeeze! Remember, she will be fine and this will get easier. I promise!! Breastfeeding wasn't nice or fun or easy for us until around 2.5 months, but now at 10 months, I LOVE it. Good luck to you