What causes an overactive letdown?

Understanding Overactive Letdown
Overactive letdown (OALD) is a common breastfeeding issue characterized by the forceful ejection of milk from the breast during feeding. This phenomenon can create challenges for both mothers and their infants, leading to discomfort and feeding difficulties. Understanding the causes and implications of OALD is essential for nursing mothers seeking to create a more comfortable feeding experience.
What Causes Overactive Letdown?
The primary cause of overactive letdown is an oversupply of breast milk. When a mother produces more milk than her baby can comfortably consume, the letdown reflex—also known as the milk ejection reflex (MER)—can become excessively strong. This reflex involves the contraction of milk-producing glands (alveoli) that push milk down the ducts and out of the nipple. In cases of OALD, this process occurs too forcefully, resulting in a rapid flow of milk that can overwhelm the baby.
Several factors can contribute to an oversupply of milk, including:
– Frequent pumping: Mothers who pump milk regularly may inadvertently stimulate their bodies to produce more milk than necessary.
– Hormonal influences: Hormonal fluctuations, particularly elevated levels of prolactin (the hormone responsible for milk production), can lead to increased milk supply.
– Feeding patterns: If a baby is not nursing effectively or frequently enough, the mother’s body may respond by producing more milk, leading to an oversupply.
Implications of Overactive Letdown
The effects of OALD can be significant for both mother and baby. For infants, a forceful letdown can lead to choking, gagging, or coughing during feeds, as they struggle to manage the rapid flow of milk. This can create a stressful feeding environment, potentially leading to aversion to breastfeeding. Additionally, babies may swallow excess air while trying to cope with the fast flow, resulting in increased gas and discomfort.
For mothers, OALD can cause painful engorgement and discomfort during feeds. The pressure from the rapid milk flow can lead to sore nipples and a feeling of being overwhelmed during breastfeeding sessions. Furthermore, the stress of managing an oversupply can contribute to feelings of frustration and anxiety about breastfeeding.
Managing Overactive Letdown
Fortunately, there are strategies that mothers can employ to manage overactive letdown effectively. These include:
– Positioning: Holding the baby in a more upright position can help them better manage the flow of milk.
– Pumping before feeds: Expressing a small amount of milk before nursing can reduce the initial force of the letdown, making it easier for the baby to latch and feed comfortably.
– Breastfeeding techniques: Techniques such as block feeding—where a mother feeds from one breast for a set period before switching—can help regulate milk supply and reduce the intensity of letdown.
In conclusion, while overactive letdown can pose challenges for breastfeeding mothers and their infants, understanding its causes and implementing effective management strategies can lead to a more positive feeding experience. By addressing the issue proactively, mothers can ensure that breastfeeding remains a nurturing and enjoyable process for both themselves and their babies.

Should I pump everytime I have a letdown?

If you pump to drain your breasts after every feeding because you still feel full, you are telling your body to make more milk, and making the oversupply and overactive let down worse. It’s ok to pump or hand express a little bit of milk out when you are engorged but only until you are comfortable.

How do you deal with constantly being let down?

These strategies can help you recover from your hurt and anger and move forward with confidence:

1. Allow your feelings. Being rejected, let down, or betrayed can trigger feelings of sadness, anxiety, or anger.
2. Acknowledge your unmet needs.
3. Take care of yourself.
4. Examine your expectations.
5. Set boundaries if you need to.

Why is my let down so intense?

Strong emotions may also trigger a let down of milk. If you are feeling intensely stressed, angry, or sad, your body may take that as a sign that you need to nurse your baby or release milk to alleviate pressure. If your milk is not letting down, you can physically stimulate the nipple to allow let down.

How long does it take for milk supply to regulate?

Your milk supply will usually adjust to your baby’s needs after about 6 weeks of breastfeeding. Some people continue to make more milk than their baby needs, and this is known as ‘oversupply’ or ‘hyperlactation’. Oversupply can make breastfeeding difficult for both you and your baby.

Why do I get let down so much?

Let downs are basically caused by your body releasing oxytocin, a ‘happy hormone’, while stress releases cortisol, a not very happy hormone. If you are stressed while nursing baby or pumping, they fight each other, and this could slow your let downs more.

How do I fix overactive letdown?

What can help

1. Allow your baby to come off your breast as they need to.
2. Let your baby nurse until let-down. Then quickly remove the baby from your breast.
3. Hold your nipple between your forefinger and your middle finger. Or gently press your hand into the side of your breast during let-down to slow the rapid flow of milk.

What does overactive let down look like?

Signs of forceful letdown
With a forceful letdown the tingling sensation may be painful. You may notice excessive leaking from the side where your baby is not feeding. Your baby may pull off the breast and the milk squirts out. You may have blanching (whitening) of the nipple with burning nipple pain after nursing.

What is dysphoric letdown syndrome?

Dysphoric milk ejection reflex, or D-MER, is a condition that affects people who breastfeed (chest feed) or pump milk. It causes sudden and intense negative emotions just before you “let down” or release milk. It’s quick and lasts just a minute or two.

How many letdowns per feed?

There are usually 2-4 letdowns per nursing session, but you may not realize it unless you pay close attention to baby’s suckling pattern.

Will overactive letdown correct itself?

Once your baby is about 2 months old, your body should have learned how much milk it needs to make. This is typically when you’ll stop feeling the overactive letdown, or it will be less painful; however, some women will continue to experience a forceful letdown after 2 months.