Overactive Letdown an Overabundance of Milk Is Possible

by LisaC

While many mothers worry if their infants are getting enough breast milk and they do everything possible to increase their breast milk supply, other mothers experience what is often referred to as overactive letdown that can cause just as many concerns with a breastfeeding mom.

Yes, there is sometimes too much breast milk and if baby is able to handle this overabundant supply and the strong letdown, then mom’s body and nature will take care of it. The baby won’t drink all the milk available and the breastfeeding mother’s body will take that as a signal to slow down on the milk production. However, there are also situations where overactive letdown might result in choking or vomiting. I this occurs frequently then it is always best to consult a physician to be sure of the cause. One sign that the problems are caused by overactive letdown is if the baby is having to gulp instead of swallow due to the quantity of milk.
There are some things mom can do to help nature along and increase baby’s comfort during feeding while her body adjusts to the baby’s needs.

The first thing to try is to only nurse a single breast each feeding because mom is trying to encourage her body to make a little less milk. Allow the infant to drink until satisfied but she should not offer the second breast. The next feeding then she should offer the other breast. She can hand express milk from a breast that is overfull between feedings.

This is one case where breast pumping is discouraged as the problem is too much milk and pumping can encourage more milk production. If breasts become engorged then hand expression is best. If a mom must pump her breasts to store milk for absences then she should not empty her breasts. This will tell her body to slow down on the milk production when there is milk left over.

Frequent burping is also important as this helps release gas the baby may have swallowed while gulping. Also when the baby begins to gulp instead of swallow then remove him from the breast and allow the milk to flow out on it’s own onto a nursing pad or other absorbent material. This can reduce baby’s discomfort and the possibility he will be overwhelmed with milk.

It should ot take long for mom’s body to adjust to the baby’s needs if a little care is taken and with professional consultation mom can be breastfeeding happily while baby gets just enough breast milk.