Too Fast of Letdown

Have you tried just putting her back on that breast? I always had a super fast let down on both breasts and both my kids would sometimes gag, but also they would just open their mouths and let some of the milk run out onto me! :) That let down slows down pretty quickly, so if you just re-latch her on she might eat just fine on that side.

Have you tried pumping for a minute or two on the left to "tap off" the initial flow before you feed her? I know babies can be pretty impatient if they suddenly realize they're hungry, but if she gives you signals that her appetite is revving up, you might have time to do this.

There's also a simple, lightweight, and extremely portable hand pump that would allow you to quietly pump one-handed on the left while she starts on the right. If you catch up with the flow, you could switch her to the left side.

I had this "too much for baby" problem many years ago before pumps were widely available. I would put my daughter on the slower breast for the first few minutes and soak up the fountain from the other breast with a clean washcloth. I didn't have to work for her first year, though, so losing that milk was not a big deal. The flow always slowed down after the initial letdown.

It may be inconvienent, but use your breast pump to take the pressure off the left breast while she's nursingon the right. Don't drain it, but pump for a few moments and that will help slow things down so she's able to nurse comfortably on that side. Our bodies do wierd and wonderful things at inopportune times, so just use your pump to collect that milk for the next day's use. Your body will even out or she will eventually be able to handle the 'surge' when she gets a little older. Best of luck!!! Happy days with your little girls!!

You could try manually expressing before attaching her. Or, feed on the right first for a while, and then on the left. (Just keep something handy to catch all that milk!)

It is extra work but worth it...express some milk on that side first to get over the fast letdown then have her latch on.

Pump a little off of the left side before you start her there, that should take off some of the pressure.:-)
Happy Nursing

I had the same issue. I just kept putting my son back on whichever breast it was time for, even if that meant that he gagged on the really full one at first. He adjusted just fine.

pump that side for a few minutes before feeding her. That way the intial overflow has stopped.

Hi
I had a similar issue and lots of feeding drama until I got help from an occupational therapist at Children's hospital who specializes in feeding issues.
For us it was a matter of letting my daughter take very brief breaks from the breast. The milk was coming too fast and so she would gag a lot. I had been giving her long breaks, but she just needed a second or two to kind of catch her breath.
FYI, pumping made my supply issue WORSE! Our bodies are designed to produce the amount of milk the baby demands, so if you pump you'll increase your supply. Over time a 'perfect' supply-demand match should develop. It took us almost 4 months, but then smooth sailing. My understanding is that it doesn't take that long for most!
If the issue continues, you can ask your pediatrician for a referral - they were so helpful. Observed us breastfeeding for a good long time, examined my daughter and made great recommendations for us.
good luck!
btw - we are still breastfeeding, happily now, at 18 months.