So my 3weeks old baby keeps choking on my breast milk

[tyra123]

He is refusing to feed on me breast I guess he is too scared he is gonna choke on it....I feel like a bad mum now & I don't wanna stop breasfeeding .I've gone through hell to get tis far now I don't wanna stop!

[Hidden]

Hi tyra123,

It sounds as if the flow of your breast milk is maybe just a little fast for him to swallow in time but this is also completely normal as once your breasts have seemed to be fully established with milk supply it can sometimes be almost over-full.

Have you maybe tried or considered expressing your breast milk via a breast pump to then feed the baby via a feeding bottle?

A similar thing happened to me when I was EBFeeding my Lil one ( now 5 months old) but the best thing was that one of my breast seemed to have a little bit of a slower flow than the other so as a result she would prefer to feed from the breast which was ( in her mind) easier to handle - this could also be the case for you?

The best possible way you could also find out if the flow is fast/slow on either breast is when or if you do decide to express with a pump have a look at the frequency of milk which drops down into the collection bottle/container.

xx

[candiceandsesame]

I know how you feel. I had a really fast flow. Google the nurturing breastfeeding position. It allows baby to gave a little more control over the flow. Worked really well for my little one in the early days.

Also try hand expressing or a hot flannel a little before feeding just to get the pressure down a little.

Have you tried calling your local breastfeeding support counsellor. I don't know what I would have done without mine. I would never have got to 5 months breastfeeding. I think the nct also has a breastfeeding hot line for advice.

Good luck. You've done so well I hope you find something or someone to help you xxx

[Pat_S]

Block feeding worked for me - stick to using from one breast per feed or if your lo likes a little but often, use one breast only for 2-3 h. By doing this you'll also ensure that he's getting enough hind milk, which is very important if you want to stay away from colic and upset tummy!

[Heb1]

Hi tyra123,

I had exactly the same problem, my LO actually ended up preferring one side over the other and it was a battle to get him to feed at times. It does get better, hang in there! I did block feeding, using one breast per feed. I actually found personally expressing with a pump made it worse, my body would produce more and more and I would get engorged then the milk flow would be even faster.

I used to express a little by hand before feeding into a towel which relieved the pressure a bit for my LO.

It's horrid when they come off the boob coughing and spluttering, I used to dread feeding but I now really enjoy it. I think it took till about week six to sort itself. it really does get better, your body will adjust and as your LO grows he will learn to cope with the faster flow. Best of luck

[Hidden]

Hello. I'm still waiting for my baby to arrive so can't help with tips but here's the number for NCT Breastfeeding advice: 0300 330 0700. Good luck! X

[Lizzie13]

A fast flow is common in the early weeks and quite easy to deal with. You can either hand express a little milk from the breast before you put baby on which helps slow down that initial speed or you can lean back when baby is on and feeding rather than sitting up straight. Call the national breastfeeding helpline to speak to a trained supporter 0300 100 0212

[mummymummy]

When u get the let down milk it can flow really quickly u could take lo off till milk has slowed (use a muslin to catch the milk) then put him back on...as they get bigger they can deal with it better but Def have a chat with breastfeeding counsellor or ur hv xx