Overactive letdown?

Question

My son is now 7 weeks old and for about the last 3 weeks nursing has started to become more of just a big sticky mess especially at night-time feedings. He gets about 2 swallows down and pops off the breast gasping for air, then relatches and does it all over again. This goes on about 5 times before he can settle down and nurse, in the meantime, I'm having a letdown that sprays all over him, me, the bed, my clothes etc... I have heard about overactive letdown, and I think it might be the problem, but I'm not sure b/c it seems to get a little better during the day, only to pick back up at night.

This is our second child and I don't recall having this much trouble with the first one, but we also ended up weaning her before we wanted to due to not having the time to pump well at work ( but that's another story altogether)

It's starting to become very discouraging, and I'm really starting to miss the "luxury" of mixing up a bottle of formula at night.

Answer 1

I think I may have this, but I've not heard of overactive letdown. My son is 11 wks and we're not as wet at night now, but he's started sleeping longer so I fear that until my body adjusts we may be in for round 2. I'm sure that expressing some may help, but that won't allow your body to naturally adjust. Personally I just have a stack of cloth diapers next to the bed and a spare shirt. If I use the shirt and don't feel like grabbing another, I just sleep topless. As your baby and body adjust it should get better. I'm going to checkout kelly mom and overactive letdown. You should too.
This page has helpful tips, the overactive letdow section is towards the bottom http://www.kellymom.com/newman/02colic_in_bf_baby.html
This is an excellent page, it even has pics of how to position baby http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/fast-letdown.html
This also has very good tips http://www.llli.org//NB/LVSepOct95p71NB.html This is exactly what I'm experiencing, I just thought my baby couldn't handle the flow. I didn't realize the fast flow had a name and there were tips out there that could help. My first two didn't experience this at all. I wonder if my letdown was the same for them or not.

Answer 2

Keep up the good work, mama. Breastfeeding is difficult at the start, but so worth the health benefits.

You can pump before going to bed - Although, your body will respond to this stimulation by ending up with an increased supply.

Best bet - keep an absorbent towel/cloth diaper near your bed. Hand express a little before the night time feedings. Position can also help a great deal. Lean back when nursing and hold baby high and close. This puts baby more over the breast than under, and decreases the force of the letdown.

Answer 3

I had the very same issue. I kept a towel in bed at night to soak up all the excess milk, and a dry t-shirt or two nearby to change into. It also helps to roll towards your back once the baby is latched on, to let gravity slow things down a bit. The good news is that this stage doesn't last all that long. I think by about 2 months or so we were pretty much staying dry during the nighttime feedings, so hang in there a little longer.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/fast-letdown.html

Answer 4

first of all, you're actually not doing something incorrect. in certainty, you're doing each thing staggering...properly your physique is. It knows which you have a new child and it desires to nurse. So it produces greater suitable than sufficient milk on your chuffed eater. although each so often like now, it quite is too plenty on your little boy. I had that problem too. What I did grow to be to get a towel and squeeze some out after massaging for a jiffy. Then I supply the breast and she or he could take it. Then as you be attentive to, the letdown comes and it quite is annoying and quickly. She pulls away then i could placed the towel back and enable it bypass out till it slowed somewhat. I in simple terms did that till it evened out. i'm hoping this facilitates.

Answer 5

I had the same problem, it's worse at night because you're feeding more during the day and I thought I read something that said you're usually fuller at night.

From the stuff I read it said to nurse only one side at a time instead of both during a feeding and eventually your body will adjust. I never got my body to adjust though, but I also think I gave up on breastfeeding to soon. I was just having so many problems and so much pain.

Google it and you'll find tons of websites that will tell you what to do.

Good luck.

Answer 6

well i would pump before you fed him at night yea it going to be a pain in the butt, but i know i made more milk in the first weeks than i do now and my son is 6 months now.. the reason your not getting this during the day is maybe he feds more thru out the day. check out kellymom.com they have a ton of information on breastfeeding. good luck

Answer 7

I had this problem with my daughter. I would just pump a little before I fed her that way I would not have so much! Don't pump too much though. Just enough that you feel a little less pressure!