Choking and Gassy? Signs You Have Oversupply (and How to Slow the Flow)

What is Oversupply and Forceful Letdown, Really?

Before we dive into solutions, let’s get clear on what we’re talking about. The terms ‘oversupply’ and ‘forceful letdown’ are often used together, but they are slightly different things that frequently occur as a pair.

• Oversupply (or hyperlactation): This is a simple supply-and-demand issue. Your body is producing significantly more breast milk than your baby actually needs. This is especially common in the first 6-12 weeks postpartum as your body is still figuring out the perfect amount of milk to make. It’s like a new restaurant that massively over-orders ingredients before they know how many customers they’ll have!
• Forceful Letdown Reflex (FLR): This is about the speed of your milk flow. A letdown is the reflex that makes the milk in your breasts available to your baby. With a forceful letdown, the milk ejects with such power and speed that it can feel like a fire hose for your little one. A baby trying to drink from a fire hose is bound to sputter and choke.

Often, the sheer volume of milk from oversupply builds up pressure in the breast, which then leads to a forceful letdown. Your baby latches, triggering the reflex, and is suddenly overwhelmed by a powerful spray of milk. It’s no wonder they seem stressed! The good news is that this is usually a temporary phase. Your body is incredibly smart, and with a few adjustments, we can help it learn your baby’s true needs and regulate its production.

Is Your Baby Trying to Tell You Something?

Your little one can’t use words, but their behavior at the breast is a powerful form of communication. They might be showing you that the flow is just too much to handle. Here are the classic signs that your baby is struggling with a fast flow.

Common Baby Behaviors with Oversupply:

• Drama at Letdown: Choking, gagging, sputtering, coughing, or gulping loudly, especially in the first few minutes of a feeding.
• Popping On and Off: Latching, pulling off the breast frantically when the milk lets down, and then trying to re-latch once the flow slows. They might cry and seem frustrated.
• Nipple Clamping: Biting or clamping down on the nipple. This isn’t them being mean; it’s a desperate attempt to slow the gushing flow of milk.
• Clicking Sounds: You might hear a ‘clicking’ noise as they feed. This is often the sound of them repeatedly breaking their suction to cope with the fast flow.
• Body Language: Arching their back, stiffening their body, or flailing their arms during feedings.
• Tummy Troubles: Seeming extra gassy, fussy, or colicky, especially after a feed. They often swallow a lot of air when gulping.
• Diaper Clues: Frequent, explosive stools that may appear green, watery, or foamy. This can happen when a baby gets a large volume of the lactose-rich ‘foremilk’ (the milk at the beginning of a feed) but struggles to get to the fattier ‘hindmilk’ that comes later.

To help you distinguish, here’s a quick comparison:

Are You Feeling It, Too?

Your baby isn’t the only one experiencing symptoms. Your own body often sends clear signals that your milk production is in overdrive. See if any of these sound familiar:

• Constant Fullness: Your breasts feel uncomfortably full, heavy, or engorged much of the time, even right after a feeding.
• Frequent Leaking: You find yourself soaking through breast pads regularly. You might leak from the opposite breast during a feeding or even spray milk if you hear your baby (or any baby!) cry.
• Painful Letdown: While many women feel a tingling sensation, your letdown might feel unusually strong, painful, or like pins and needles.
• Recurring Clogs and Mastitis: Because your breasts may not be getting fully drained, you might be prone to developing painful plugged ducts or even mastitis (a breast infection).
• Fast Feeds: Your baby seems completely full and satisfied after nursing for just 5-10 minutes on one side.

A Gentle Reminder: If you’re experiencing symptoms of mastitis—such as a red, wedge-shaped area on your breast that’s hot and painful to the touch, along with fever, chills, and flu-like aches—it’s important to contact your healthcare provider right away.

Recognizing these signs in yourself, combined with your baby’s behaviors, can help you feel confident that oversupply is likely the culprit. And identifying the problem is the first step toward solving it!

Time to Slow Things Down

Okay, so we’ve identified the problem. Now for the solutions! The goal here is not to diminish your amazing milk supply, but to make the flow more manageable for your baby and, over time, gently signal your body to ease up on production. Let’s start with the simplest, most effective techniques.

1. Use Gravity to Your Advantage: Reclined Positioning

This is my number one recommendation and often a total game-changer. Instead of sitting upright, lean back comfortably on a couch or bed with plenty of pillows. This is often called ‘laid-back breastfeeding.’ When you lay your baby on your chest, tummy-to-tummy, they are nursing ‘uphill.’ Gravity works against the flow of milk, slowing it down naturally. This position also empowers your baby, allowing them to have more control over the latch and to lift their head to take a break if needed.

2. Take the Edge Off Before Feeding

If your letdown feels like a fire hydrant, try releasing some of the initial pressure before your baby latches. You can do this by:

• Hand Expressing: Gently express a small amount of milk into a towel or burp cloth until you feel the initial powerful spray subside. Once the flow calms to a drip, latch your baby.
• Using a Silicone Pump/Collector: You can use a Haakaa or similar device for a minute on the breast you’re about to feed from to catch the initial letdown.
  

  A word of caution: Be careful not to pump for too long, as this can stimulate more milk production and worsen the problem. We’re aiming for relief, not removal.

3. Try a ‘One-Sided’ Approach

Instead of offering both breasts at each feeding, try offering only one. Let your baby finish the first breast completely. This ensures they get more of that rich, fatty hindmilk which can help with gassiness and keep them fuller for longer. If they are still hungry, you can offer the second side. But if they’re content after one, simply start the next feeding on the other breast. This reduces the overall stimulation your breasts receive, which can help down-regulate your supply over time.

4. Burp More Often

Babies dealing with a fast flow tend to swallow a lot of air as they gulp. This air gets trapped in their tiny tummies, causing discomfort and gassiness. Make a point to pause the feeding every few minutes to burp your baby. This can help release some of that trapped air before it causes bigger problems later.

A More Structured Approach: The Block Feeding Method

If you’ve tried the gentle techniques above for a week or so and are still struggling significantly, you might consider a method called block feeding. However, it’s highly recommended to do this under the guidance of a certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), as it is designed to actively reduce your milk supply, and you want to be careful not to reduce it too much.

Here’s how it works: The principle behind block feeding is to keep one breast full for a set period. This sends a signal to that breast’s ‘milk factory’ to slow down production.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Block Feeding:

1. Start with a Small Block: Begin with a 3-hour block of time. For example, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
2. Stick to One Side: During that 3-hour block, every time your baby is hungry, you will only feed from one side. Let’s say you use the right breast. If your baby wants to eat at 8:15 AM and again at 10:30 AM, both feedings happen on the right breast.
3. Switch for the Next Block: When the first block is over (at 11:00 AM), you will switch to the other breast. For the next 3 hours (11:00 AM to 2:00 PM), all feedings will happen on the left breast.
4. Manage the ‘Unused’ Breast: The breast that is ‘on break’ will likely become very full and uncomfortable. You can hand express just enough milk for relief—think a tablespoon or two—but do not drain it. The fullness is what sends the signal to slow down production.
5. Monitor and Adjust: Stick with 3-hour blocks for a few days and see how you and your baby are doing. If you’re still having major issues, you can consider extending the block to 4 hours. Most professionals do not recommend blocks longer than 5-6 hours.

Important Safety Note: Block feeding is an effective but powerful tool. Watch your baby’s diaper output and disposition carefully to ensure they are still getting enough milk. This is why professional guidance is so valuable when making significant changes to your feeding routine.