My heavy letdown overwhelms my baby and he cries during feeds. What can I do?

Moms recommend hand-expressing before feeds, leaning back while nursing, and waiting for supply to regulate.

Community Answers from Moms(7)

Here's what moms in our community shared based on their own experience.

1. 1

   Hand express a little before feeds to reduce pressure. It helps baby handle the flow better.

2. 2

   Feeding while reclining can slow the flow. Baby gets used to it as supply regulates.

3. 3

   Oversupply often settles by 3–5 months. Expressing a bit ensures baby also gets hind milk.

4. 4

   Hand express about half a glass before each feed until there's less pressure - the baby gets used to the flow and finishes in 2-3 minutes. This also helps the baby get hindmilk instead of only foremilk in oversupply. If weight gain is steady, the baby is getting enough. It tends to regulate around the 4th-5th month. Note that pumping can make oversupply worse by triggering more supply.

5. 5

   Alternatively, pump for 5-10 minutes before feeding to release the initial fast letdown first; the baby adapts within a few days.

6. 6

   Try the laid-back feeding position.

7. 7

   When the letdown gets fast and the baby unlatches, cover your breast with a bib or cloth and press and hold for a few minutes to slow the letdown, then re-latch.