Oversupply and forceful let down?

[Pielette]

How do you know if you have an oversupply?

I think I might have an oversupply in my right boob. My baby gulps and chokes on it quite often and gets upset. I do have a forceful let down in both boobs I think because it feels pretty strong each time.

But I'm not sure because his poos are normal yellow and there don't seem to be any other signs. If I do have an oversupply what can I do to combat it? It would seem a bit strange to me considering I've never expressed and therefore never instructed them to make more milk!

 

[Lauki]

You could just have a forcedul letdown, fast milkflow. I think we are battling the same at the moment and I definitely don't have oversupply.

When Jasper does the choking, gagging and fussing thing I will take him off and burp him before latching back on. It also helps to feed while being reclined, so he has to suck against gravity. I always try to feed him at first hunger signs, so he doesn't get too fractious.

I have been told that it is something they will manage better as they get older and bigger, I think it's just because they are so little. I still nurse my 2 year old and she is fine with the flow.

 

[misspriss]

You sound like you have the overactive letdown and forceful flow, but not oversupply.

I have had both, the oversupply is pretty well controlled, but I still have the overactive let down. LO handles it better now that he is older. He has adapted. When it gets fast, instead of "suck, swallow, breathe" he "swallow, swallow, breath"s for a while...(or was it "breathe, breathe, swallow"...)

 

[SarahBear]

I had similar problems early on and I didn't pump until I returned to work at 2 months. With the over supply on both sides, it helps to stick to one boob per feed rather than switching. My left side tends toward higher milk production, so when things get really out of balance, I make an effort to nurse much more on my right side than left. When I put in the effort, things even out. When I stop putting in the effort, the left side starts producing way more. I've had to actively even things out a few times. What you would want to do is try not to empty out your right side and nurse on your left even after it's been emptied out. Alternatively, if your baby is hungry enough to empty both sides and keep going, empty both sides and then keep going on your left.

 

[SarahBear]

I didn't address the forceful letdown... I had that as well. Taking care of the oversupply that I also had, helped. When the baby pops off and the milk starts squirting everywhere, it help to push on your nipple to slow the flow. It doesn't make the forceful letdown go away, but it can slow things a tad for a moment. Your baby will just have to adjust in time. It does happen.

 

[icklemonster]

I suffered with fast flow and overactive letdown from my right breast too. LO learnt to deal with it from about 9/10 weeks. From weeks 6 until it was sorted, I used a nipple shield for most feeds, especially when out and about, as I became scared to do right boob feeds out and about, as Charlotte would choke and splutter every few mouthfuls. At home I would recline, and let her lay belly down and root out my boob. From this angle she didn't choke. It will sort itself out hun, just make a few adjustments xxx

 

[CupcakeBaby]

I have this.

I now do 2 feeds per boob which helps supply a lot.

As for the let down DD copes great now. Can eat fast and pulls off when it's gets too much. Normally gets milk all over her face at that point but its better than the choking!

Your LO will get used to it. X

 

[Pielette]

That's great ladies, thank you for the advice.

I shifted his angle when feeding from the right today and it seemed to help a little. He also wasn't as frantic with hunger and it seems to help when he's a little calmer.

 

[Lauki]

Good news!

I wouldn't do any blockfeeding if you don't have oversupply and his nappies are normal or you might get different problems!