https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 18 May 2026 15:11:51 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-with-oversupply-fast-letdown#post-2359793 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 13:26:45 +0000 Kemma 2359793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lots of small feeds can help (reduces the pressure of a full / engorged breast), minimal pumping (you don't want to encourage the oversupply) and if the LC won't see you then have you thought about contacting your local LLL? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-with-oversupply-fast-letdown#post-2359777 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 13:14:46 +0000 MrsADS 2359777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have oversupply and fast letdown. LO is 11 weeks and it's a LITTLE better but still an issue. He has pretty much just learned to nurse with it, although it's still pretty common for him to pop off coughing and choking with the milk, He coughs for a few seconds then he usually starts SCREAMING if I don't put him back on right away because he wants more! He actually gets upset now if I feed him when I am "emptier" (like right after pumping) and the milk flow is slower or he has to wait for a letdown. </p> <p>I have tried to minimize pumping except at night when he sleeps longer stretches because that really makes my oversupply worse. I have done block feeding in the past but I would say be careful with that unless you really know for sure you have an oversupply. </p> <p>I feed LO on one side only per feeding and switch sides after each feeding. I still get engorged during the day doing this but not as bad. I usually pump in the middle of the night and also first thing in the AM, otherwise my breasts are just like rocks and I do not want to get a clogged duct or mastitis. I can easily pump 20 oz during just my 2 pumps at night, so you have an idea. Lol. </p> <p>Hang in there and talk to a lactation consultant! Although now that I feel like I know more about BFing, I also kind of listen to my body - different LCs have given me different advice. Most say don't pump ever for an oversupply and unfortunately I just can't do that, I am in too much pain and it gives my LO all foremilk which gives him GI issues, so I have to pump a little. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-with-oversupply-fast-letdown#post-2359772 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 13:12:24 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 2359772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I read (on Kellymom I think) that LOs will learn how to nurse with your flow so I haven't done anything special to deal with my letdown. DD is 5.5 weeks old and it's getting better. I make sure to keep a burp cloth nearby because she pops off half the time right after I letdown and I need to catch the flow. I've sprayed milk all over the place. It's a bit ridiculous. </p> <p>When she is fussy at the breast but showing hunger cues I burp her. Sometimes I need to burp her 2 or 3 times before she can settle enough to eat again. One good thing about a fast flow is she nurses for 10 minutes or less at each feeding. </p> <p>If her poops are normal I wouldn't worry about a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-with-oversupply-fast-letdown#post-2359767 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 13:07:56 +0000 Happygal 2359767@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I pumped just a little bit to release some of the pressure. I didn't do this for long b/c they figure out how to handle it and become very efficient nursers! Football hold was good for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-with-oversupply-fast-letdown#post-2359762 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 13:04:18 +0000 hilsy85 2359762@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a very forceful letdown and I also just pop her off when I feel the letdown and let it spray into a pad or a cloth. And then relatch once it slows down. Having a nursing cover on made it much easier to do this in public. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-with-oversupply-fast-letdown#post-2359753 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 12:54:11 +0000 winniebee 2359753@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just would lean back for the let down and then go back to seated. Or let down into a washcloth and re-latch. He grew to love that fast flow! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-with-oversupply-fast-letdown#post-2359751 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 12:52:06 +0000 cityliving 2359751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>MRS. SOMEONE - I talked to one on Friday who diagnosed me over the phone but implied a home visit didn't sound necessary since her weight gain has been ok, but you're right I'm not sure and I'm not positive yet that it's the issue. I get soaked in milk when I feed her and she was fussing a lot at the boob. The symptom that worries me the most is that she seems hungry for hours at a time (but I'm also a paranoid FTM and I feel like I'm still trying to figure out what's normal, if it's a foremilk issue, or something else all together.) </p> <p>HELLOBEE BOSTON - aw, sorry you sprayed yourself (but thank you for the smile.) I've definitely soaked some shirts in some interesting ways. Thank you for all the suggestions, I will definitely try them out.</p> <p>HERRADE- interesting, I will definitely do a little more research on the block feeding. I have the same concerns about the bottles, but her hungry cry just gets so ramped up that feeding her seems impossible and I hate to hear/ see her so hangry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-with-oversupply-fast-letdown#post-2359689 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 12:21:22 +0000 Herrade 2359689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I dealt with this a bit later on -- in the third month. My suggestion is to stick with nursing on your side, even if your LO is fussy about it some days. Eventually she'll get used to it. That is how we got through it. Nursing in public sitting up was about 50/50. I had to make sure I wasn't too far from someplace I could lay down if she refused to nurse sitting up.<br /> YMMV, but I did not give her a bottle for fear she would develop a bottle preference and then I'd be stuck pumping exclusively (I'm a crappy pumper). If she's gaining ok, you're probably not leaving her hungry. Remember, a fast letdown means you're transferring a lot in a short time, so it won't take long to fill her up!<br /> Block feeding never really helped for me. Keep in mind that a strong letdown doesn't necessarily mean you have oversupply, though you may feel like it because you wear so much milk when baby pulls off. Also, I would be worried about block feeding so early in the game having a longer-term effect on your supply. My understanding is that frequent nursing in the first two months helps to lay down prolactin receptors that keep your supply responsive throughout the course of your nursing relationship. I'm no expert on this, but I would be concerned that prolonged block feeding would send your boobs mixed signals! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-with-oversupply-fast-letdown#post-2359686 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 12:19:54 +0000 hellobeeboston 2359686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cityliving: I have a super fast letdown (but not an oversupply). More on my right than left so I always have him start on left. My letdown happens on both sides at same time so breast pads pick up the leak.... I usually recline to nurse but know that's hard. </p> <p>LO is 6.5 weeks and he's starting to learn to handle it better but it's been a struggle sometimes. I also hold the breast pad, and he often pops off as soon as it starts spraying so I hold the pad on my breast and wait a bit for it to slow down. Block feeding wasn't for me. I was more just in the wait it out and hope my body regulates and baby learns camp; and I think we are getting there. </p> <p>I sprayed myself in the face in the middle of the night last night. :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-with-oversupply-fast-letdown#post-2359673 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 12:13:06 +0000 Mrs.Someone 2359673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you seen an ibclc? How are you sure this is your issue? I would think oversupply starts sooner, but I'm not sure. Good luck to you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nursing-with-oversupply-fast-letdown#post-2359645 Tue, 17 Nov 2015 11:59:12 +0000 cityliving 2359645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If anyone has dealt with this etc., what breastfeeding positions worked for you and how did you nurse (or did you pump) when feeding outside of your home? </p> <p>We've only been struggling with this for a few days (my baby is 4 weeks) and I'm still trying to find the right solution in addition to block feeding and pumping. So far she liked nursing with me laying back for 1.5 days before hating it and on my side for the last1.5 days but she's starting to fuss a little again so I'm looking for a backup plan and can't exactly lie down on a park bench if I need to feed her outside of the apartment. Thanks! </p>