Does your baby seem fussy, crying, and overwhelmed while breastfeeding because the milk flow is too strong? If you experience this, it could be that you are experiencingfast let down.
Fast let downor a heavy flow of breast milk is also calledoveractive let downorforceful let down. Come on, let’s learn more about this phenomenon and the ways that can be done to overcome it.
What is Fast Let Down/Overactive Let Down/Forceful Let Down?Source: Freepik
Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure a child’s health and well-being. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast milk is the ideal food for babies.
Breast milk is safe, clean, and contains antibodies that help protect against many common childhood illnesses. It provides all the energy and nutrients a baby needs for the first months of life. It continues to provide up to half or more of a child’s nutritional needs during the second half of the first year, and up to a third during the second year.
Breastfeeding has many benefits. According to some studies, children who are breastfed as infants tend to perform better on intelligence tests, are less likely to be overweight or obese and are less likely to develop diabetes later in life. Mothers who breastfeed also have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer.
Every mother certainly has her own breastfeeding journey. Some can breastfeed easily, others experience problems, such as with attachment or ‘slow’ milk production . However, it is not uncommon for some to experience abundant breast milk.
Have you ever experienced a condition where your breast milk came out too strong, like a gush?
When a baby begins to suckle, a reflex involving nerves and hormones (neurohormonal reflex) releases milk from the breast. This reflex is known asmilk ejection reflex(MER) and is commonly referred to aslet down.
If the breast milk is released very strongly, it is calledfast let downoroveractive let-down. With rapid letdown, milk may appear to gush from the breast like water from a hose when the baby takes his mouth off the breast in the middle of a feeding.
A fast or strong flow is not always a problem for your baby. Many babies prefer a faster pace and this strong gush of milk is normal.
However, some babies may seem overwhelmed and fussy byfast let downThis. The baby may cough, choke, or let go of the breast and cry.
Signs of Fast Let Down Reflex/Overactive Let Down/Forceful Let DownSource: Freepik
Mother may not realize if she experiencesforceful let downbecause the nipple and milk duct are in the baby’s mouth and are difficult to see when breastfeeding.
When experiencingfast let down, the baby will work hard to cope with the flow of milk, even to the point of being overwhelmed. There are several signs shown by the baby when breastfeeding when he experiences a strong milk spurt, namely as follows:
Gagging , appearing to choke, gasp, or cough while breastfeeding as if the milk is coming out too quickly. Frequent pulling of the breasts while breastfeeding. Pinch the nipple with your mouth to slow the flow of milk. Swallow the milk very quickly. Making a clicking sound while breastfeeding due to loss of suction at the breast. Frequent spitting up during or after breastfeeding. Gassy stomach so need to burp often. Breastfeeding only for a short period because you already have a lot of breast milk. Periodically refuses to breastfeed. Appears fussy or crying, uncomfortable when being breastfed. Causes of Fast Let Down/Overactive Let Down/Forceful Let DownSource: Freepik
Overactive let downis a common problem in the first 4 to 6 weeks of breastfeeding after birth. This happens because the mother’s body is still learning how much milk to produce for the baby.
If the mother experiencesoversupplyor too much breast milk supply/production, then this can causefast let down,where the flow of breast milk into the breast comes out very quickly.
Once the baby is about 2 months old, the mother’s body should know how much breast milk it needs. Therefore, usuallyoveractive let downstop once the baby is old enough and more skilled at breastfeeding.
However, there are also mothers who still experiencefast let downafter the baby is more than 2 months old.
How to Overcome Fast Let Down/Overactive Let Down/Forceful Let DownSource: Freepik
1. Improve Breastfeeding PositionHow well a baby can handle a fast or heavy flow of milk can depend on their latch (how they attach to the breast), their position (how they are held), and how well they can coordinate sucking, swallowing, and breathing.
A lactation consultant can help identify whether your baby’s latch or position during breastfeeding may be causing difficulty in controlling milk flow. If your baby is simply ‘latched’ to the nipple in his mouth, it may be harder for him to control milk flow.
Likewise, certain positions can make breastfeeding more difficult for your baby. Always check your position and latch when breastfeeding. The deeper the latch, the better your baby can control the flow.
You can also try leaning back and breastfeeding in a lying position. Breastfeeding with the baby on the breast can help slow the flow of milk, because the milk that flows upwards works against gravity.
2. Stop breastfeeding when the milk flow is heavyIf you experiencefast let down, try taking your baby off the breast for a few moments until the flow slows down a bit. Catch the milk that comes out using a container or towel and once the flow slows down, your baby may be able to cope better with the flow and nurse better.
Also, let your baby come off the breast as needed. Never hold the back of your baby’s head to force him onto the breast as this can be dangerous for his airway.
3. Slowing the flow of breast milk using your handsMoms can slow down the flow of milk manually by using their fingers. It’s easy, position your hands as if holding scissors and pinch the areola at the beginning of breastfeeding to slow the flow of milk.
4. Pumping Breast Milk Before BreastfeedingAnother way is to express a little milk before the baby starts to nurse so that the flow is slower. Express by hand or pump until you feel the milk flowing. Then start nursing the baby.
However, remember that regularly expressing breast milk before breastfeeding can ultimately stimulate the breasts to produce more milk which can worsen the situation iflet downcaused by excessive breast milk production.
5. Recognize Baby’s Hunger SignalsA baby who is too hungry may suckle less co-ordinatedly and suck more forcefully because he is panicking.
Therefore, it will be more helpful to recognize the signs that the baby wants to breastfeed or is hungry, such as sucking a finger or opening his mouth when the mouth area is touched.
6. Breastfeed the baby when he is calmBabies will suck more gently and slowly when they are relaxed, appear calm, or are sleepy. This can also cause the milk flow to be slower.
7. Breastfeed your baby more oftenAvoiding long intervals between feeds will help reduce engorgement and faster flow due to increased milk pressure in the breast. This reduces the amount of milk that builds up between feeds, making breastfeeding more manageable for the baby.
8. Don’t Forget to Burp the BabyBurp frequently if you see your baby swallowing air while feeding to help reduce gas in his stomach.
9. Reduces breast milk productionIf excess breast milk production is the main cause of the problemfast let down, Moms can adjust their milk supply to better suit their baby’s needs. However, do not try to reduce your milk supply during the first 4-6 weeks because this is the period when your milk supply should increase rapidly.
One method to reduce breast milk production without restricting the baby’s feeding is calledblock feeding. Do not limit breastfeeding altogether. If the baby finishes breastfeeding on one breast and wants to continue breastfeeding, do not move the baby to the other breast, but continue to let him or her breastfeed on the same breast.
If the unused side becomes uncomfortable due to swelling, express a little milk until it feels more comfortable and then apply a cold compress. This can inhibit blood flow and milk production, and soothe the discomfort.
Another method to try is to switch between the two breasts several times during one breastfeeding session .
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If not handled properly,fast let downcan cause dangerous choking in babies and also digestive disorders such as bloating. Hopefully this information can be useful, yes, Mom.
What is a Fast Let Down?
https://breastfeeding.support/what-is-a-fast-let-down/
Forceful Let-down (Milk Ejection Reflex) & Oversupply
https://kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/fast-letdown/
Overactive Let-Down
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/overactive-letdown
Breastfeeding
https://www.who.int/health-topics/breastfeeding#tab=tab_1
Forceful or Overactive Let Down
https://www.strong4life.com/en/feeding-and-nutrition/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/foreceful-or-overactive-letdown#
Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia