Oversupply of Milk/Forceful Letdown

This is simple to take care of. Pump some off before putting her on. That way she has to work a little for it and shouldn't have to gulp down the milk which causes the gas. Also things in your diet can give her gas as well so you might want to consider what your eating. I used to have the same problem when mine were really little.

I had the same problem. I'm a first time mom with a nine week old son. DON"T PUMP...It took a few weeks but my body finally adjusted to the supply my son needed. I was very uncomfortable for the first few weeks. AT first he was choking and gagging down the milk. Feeding time was very stresful. I also only feed from one breast at a time. He was also spitting up quite a bit when I burped him. I was told by a lactation specialist to cut down on the length of time I fed him..to just 5 minutes. I stuck with it and breastfeeding is GREAT now. My son is gaining weight and is the 50% at 11 pounds. GOOD LUCK!

I had this with both my babies and I would put a folded burp cloth (I have the baby diaper types Gerber used to make, with the thick part in the middle) under their heads, under the jaw along the neck and out on top of their chest (can you visualize this?) It provided a cushion and a place for all that extra milk to go (instead of on me) when she let go and needed a breather.

They both learned very quickly how to eat most effectively, and we made sure to burp thoroughly after every feeding. I also try to burp her BEFORE every feeding for a minute or two, even now. If your little one is spitting up a lot, are you keeping her elevated after feeding (like a bouncy seat?), but don't bend her in her middle (like sitting her on your lap.) I thought it was neat that by the time my latest was 4 weeks old (she's 7 months now), she would calm down from crying while I was putting the cloth under her chin - she had learned that it meant the food was coming! = )

The idea of pumping a bit beforehand sounds good, it didn't work for me because I needed the baby to help with letdown. If it works for you, I would try that, but my trick helps if you ever have to feed while you're out or don't have time to pump right before. At least then you won't be wearing it!

Good luck!

I agree with the one sided feeding. Try just one side per feeding for a while, it seemed to slow down my milk production a little and stop the choking problems.

I have 3 children and I have had this problem with all 3. Unfortunately, I just figured out to fix this with the 3rd. With the first 2 I just always had so much that I wound up pumping and then bottle feeding and storing the extra. I always wound up engorged and shooting across the room whenever I undid my bra. It became such a nightmare, that I stopped breastfeeding both of the first 2 by 6 weeks of age. Now with my latest baby, he just turned 6 months on Saturday, I didn't use the pump. The doctors had told me that using the pump made my body produce more. It helped with pain relief for engorgement but if I just used my son with that, my body would get accustomed to how much he would need and eventually just produce the right amount and the engorgement issues would go away. I was addiment that this work this time. Formula is just way to expensive I know breastfeeding is so much better for the babies! Well, I did as the doctors had said and stayed away from the pump. Guess what....the doctors were right!!! My body actually finally slowed down and produced just the right amount for my son. To give you an idea...he just turned 6 months and weighs in at 22 lbs. He was almost 10 lbs at birth and I could have easily pumped 8 ounces out at 2 weeks. I can't tell you how much I could pump now because the pumps don't even work on me now. My body has just become accustomed to my baby. I never leak and could actually sleep without a bra at night. The only downfall is that my son absolutely refuses to take any type of bottle. He only wants mama. This does pose to be a problem with going anywhere since he has to go where the food goes. We are trying to get him to take an occassional sippy cup along with his solids now.

I would suggest giving atleast a bottle every other day to prevent this problem. Just a suggestion.

Hope this helps and good luck. Just don't get discouraged b/c I am proof that this can be fixed. I just wish I would have been a little more patient with my first 2.

God bless,
Angela

Try block feeding to help with the over supply (nursing from just one side for a set period of time like three hours). For forceful let down, latch her on until letdown. Pop her off and spray into a towel, then relatch. Also try nursing her in an upright position and make sure her lips are curled out.

Hope that helps.