Navigating Forceful Letdown (Milk Ejection Reflex)
Breastfeeding is a journey of love, learning, and adjustments between a mother and her baby. Since every mother’s experience is unique, we recognize that some may face unexpected hurdles along the way. One challenge that is not commonly talked about is forceful letdown, and it can sometimes seem confusing or overwhelming. If you are navigating this experience, you’re not alone. In this article, we will further discuss what forceful letdown is, and some practical tips to help you manage it.
What is Forceful Letdown?
Forceful letdown, also known as Milk Ejection Reflex (MER), occurs when your milk is released quickly and with a lot of force, possibly causing discomfort to both you and your little one. When experiencing letdown in general, you may feel a tingling sensation, or you may not notice anything at all. If the latter is the case, please know there is no cause for concern as every mother is different, including when and how they experience these sensations.
According to Healthline, some things you may feel during letdown include, a sudden fullness or warmth, dripping from the other breast, change in your baby’s sucking pattern, as well as sudden thirst. The physical cues are signs that your body is responding to your baby and the milk flow has begun.
Some signs that you may be experiencing forceful let down include your baby gulping loudly at the beginning of feeding, gagging, or pulling off the breast for a minute or two. They may also seem fussy, gassy, and have green or loose stool. Since oversupply and forceful letdown can often have the same signs, it’s important to speak to your physician if you are unsure as distinguishing between the two can help guide proper management. Now that we’ve covered what it is, how can it be managed?
4 Tips for forceful letdown
Many babies adjust to let-down as their ability to balance sucking, swallowing, and breathing matures. While they are getting adjusted, here are some tips to try to help navigate forceful letdown.
- Allow your baby to come off your breast as needed
- Gently press your hand into the side of your breast during let-down to slow down the flow of milk
- Nurse your baby in a laid-back position, such as reclining on a pillow or couch
- Try the football hold, with your baby on your side and your arm supporting their back with your hand under their head
Forceful letdown is more common than you think so take comfort in knowing you are not the only mom to go through this new learning curve with her baby. Try not to be too upset with yourself as this is a new experience for both of you and it will become easier with learning and time.
Final Thoughts
If you are experiencing a forceful letdown, know that you are not alone. Though it can be frustrating and disheartening at times, many moms have faced the same challenge and with a little patience and minor adjustments, things will calm down. Remember you are not doing anything wrong, rather your body has its own way of doing things. Give yourself grace, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from your support system or a lactation consultant. We hope you have enjoyed this article and found it informative, please remember to share it!
Sources
“Abundant Milk and Rapid Milk Ejection.” La Leche League International, 17 Apr. 2023, llli.org/news/abundant-milk-and-rapid-milk-ejection/.
Berns, Jordan. “Use the Force: How to Fix Forceful Letdown.” Lactation Lab, Lactation Lab, 14 June 2022, lactationlab.com/blogs/the-drop/use-the-force-how-to-fix-forceful-letdown?srsltid=AfmBOopyBbv1qUUju8jefL8eHwAJW0l_iRml2hB1q_JOa475T8cJE4UA.
Lewis, Rhona. “Painful Letdown: Is It Normal to Hurt like This?” Healthline, Healthline Media, 11 June 2020, www.healthline.com/health/breastfeeding/painful-letdown.
“Overactive Let-Down.” Johns Hopkins Medicine, 25 Mar. 2024, www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/overactive-letdown.
