Breastfeeding Problems: Overactive Milk Ejection
When discussing breastfeeding problems, the issue of overactive milk ejection should also be discussed. Quite the opposite of having a plugged duct, overactive milk ejection happens when milk production increases too quickly. This causes the milk to flow very fast, and often times your baby will push your breast away while coughing or gagging because they are unable to swallow with ease. Many times mothers take this as a sign that the baby is not hungry or doesn’t like breast milk. This often isn’t the case. Babies are just having issues with how much milk is being ejected.
In a typical scenario, the baby begins nursing and then turns away while coughing or choking. It is often that when the baby turns away from the breast, your milk will spray out. Your baby will likely return to your breast to continue feeding, but they are also likely to turn away again after a while, and continue on in this process till they have had enough to eat or until they are tired of feeding. Sometimes your baby will reject your breast because they do not want to go through the process again.
It is natural for your breasts to produce milk very quickly after delivery, and to continue to produce milk. How much milk is produced is usually dependent on how often your child feeds. Milk production is on an on demand basis, and usually the right amount for your child will be established after several feeding sessions. Overactive production does occur, however and the problem should be addressed so that the baby can feed properly and get their needed nutrition from breast milk.
There are several ways overactive milk ejection can be addressed. They mostly deal with reducing milk flow. Try manually expressing milk until you notice that the jets are not coming out as fast and then proceed to breastfeed your child. Overactive milk ejection usually slows down after the first few minutes of breastfeeding. Manually expressing the first few jets can help make breastfeeding more comfortable for your child because the milk will flow at a more normal rate. Remember to manually express the milk and not use an electric pump because electric pumps usually promote milk production and this will not solve or help the problem.
The second way to reduce milk flow is to compress your breast while your baby nurses. When you baby latches on to your breast and starts sucking, compress the area near the areola so that the milk flow slows down and allows your baby to swallow with ease. You can also choose to feed your child more often so that less milk is stored in the milk ducts between feeding sessions. Also, feeding your baby often keeps them from being very hungry during feedings and sucking too hard therefore stimulating the milk flow.
Try feeding your baby using one breast per feeding session. You can continue using the same breast for successive feeding sessions in order to help in the emptying of the breast. The other breast may fill with milk and become slightly engorged. You can express some of this milk to help the engorgement. When the first breast has been emptied, switch to the other breast.
Make sure your baby is latched on to your breast properly. You can try feeding them while lying down either on your side or flat on your back to decrease the milk flow. Try using the football position to feed your child. This position allows your child to stop sucking as often as they like and to continue at their own rate. Not only will they be able to feed with ease, but the milk flow will also adjust itself to your baby’s sucking demands.
Finally, if all else fails, feed your baby expressed breast milk from a baby bottle. This is better than giving them formula, and it’s cheaper too.
Next Article: How to Increase Milk Supply Naturally
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