Hey mommas were you ever breastfeeding your baby, and thought to yourself “oh my why is my baby fighting with my boob” or “oh man is my baby choking” then baby proceeds get off the breast”? I know for a fact my little nursling and I encountered this a lot! It nothing too concerning its just a fast flow of milk caused by overactive let down of milk. I do understand the concern because this can cause gaging, choking, or baby pushing off breast, however don’t be alarmed and panic theres ways to fix and adjust positioning to slow down a fast flow. To help slow down your milk, you and your baby can readjust your feeding position, you can recline or lie back cradling baby while they still feed. Reclining back feeding baby allows for your milk to naturally slow down, we can thank gravity for that! You can also try feeding in the side lying (this was one of my favorites, we both sought comfort). 

Keep in mind that, your baby will also know what to do once they learn how to effectively breastfeed remember it’s natural; however it takes practice for you and baby to master it! You can also allow baby to push and come off breast as needed if they cannot control the flow of milk. Some more alternatives are, you momma can assist your baby by hand expression, hand pumping milk into clean, sterile bottle, milk storage bag, or handheld pump. 

If you prefer physical breastfeeding and not able to switch positions into previously mentioned feeding positions; you can hold baby in football also known as the clutch position, holding baby to side supporting their back with your arm, and supporting their head with your hand at nipple level this then allows you to gently raise babies head to latch allowing the baby to move their head to feed as needed, to better control the overactive let down flow. Repositioning your baby can help tremendously it allows you to use different positioning for better feeding methods or tactics that is comfortable for nursing duo. Breastfeeding may require some trial and error before understanding and getting the full swing of it.  Block feeding is another form to help with over active. let down and this method is when you feed from every other boob for a set period of time and that time range can be 2-3 hours. If you don't care for that option, well; you can feed from one breast and allow baby to take a break/rest when needed from feeding, and feed from same breast for a couple of feeds then switch to other breast for the next few feeding. Remember to be sure you are clearing breast and ducts free from milk when feedings are done, or if baby is full and ends feeding before breast is efficiently drained, you can pump rest of milk out by hand expression, hand pump, electric pump, and store milk properly for a later feeding. By pumping out remaining milk this helps avoid clogged duct, or mastitis.

Sometimes there may be signs of an overactive let down, you may leak your shirts sometimes, milk leaks on bed sheets during feeds, or when your body responds to feeding cues (baby crying, biological feeding clock, and stimulation) if you leak tremendously, you may experience overactive lets downs or over production. Don’t allow the trial and error stage of breastfeeding to discourage you. You will get the swing of it, as your baby grows and matures with breastfeeding they will also learn how to better control your over active flow of milk. Breastfeeding sometimes requires time, patience and some assistance/help! Thats okay, ask those questions, seek the help, and remain confident in your breastfeeding journey. It’s a process, no-one said being a parent is easy, let a lone a momma, and a breastfeeding one at that! Enjoy your breastfeeding journey, there are ways to overcome breastfeeding struggles and challenges. Chime in mommas, I have a question for you mommas, did you experience overactive let down? What was your experience like and How did you handle it? 

Remember to always contact your provider for any help or concerns.

For more support and information click below:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/overactive-letdown

https://www.laleche.org.uk/too-much-milk-and-oversupply/

(Photos above represent laid back/lying down feeding positions)