Overactive Letdown (OALD)
This obviously only pertains to breastfeeding mothers. Overactive letdown (OALD) is when milk is released forcefully from the breast. This can be distressing to newborns as they are forced to try to swallow large quantities of milk very quickly. The symptoms of OALD may include:
- Fussiness or crying when at the breast, particularly at the beginning of a feeding
- Choking or gagging while feeding
- Frequent stools
- Excessive weight gain
- Mother may experience strong sensation of milk letting down, once or even multiple times during a nursing session
- Baby pulling off breast or ‘bobbing’ on and off
- May notice that when baby pulls off breast, milk continues to spray out
- Mother may notice excessive leaking, particularly in other breast while feeding
- Gassiness
