Fast flow

Sometimes milk flow can be a little fast for a newborn baby. They might pull off at the start of a feed, and cough or splutter. 

If your breast lets down when your baby isn’t attached, your milk may spray out forcefully.  

This is called a fast let-down or fast flow. You may have this along with an oversupply of milk or leaking breasts. However, many mums have a fast let-down but with a normal milk supply. 

If you’ve just got a fast flow: 

• Your baby is usually happy to feed from both breasts each feed without being too ‘full’ (in the very early days, baby may only take one breast). 

• Your baby’s weight gains and numbers of wet and dirty nappies are normal. 

• Your baby may gulp or pull off at the start of a feed but settles as the feed goes on. 

Over time, your let-down reflex will probably settle down and as your baby grows, they will be able to suck through your fast flow.  

Managing the fast flow  

There are a few ways that can make it easier for your baby to feed. 

• Express a little at the beginning of a feed to trigger your let-down and allow the fast flow to ease, before putting baby on to feed.  

• Attach your baby and start to feed. As soon as you notice your let-down reflex, remove your baby and let the first gush of milk go into a cloth nappy or a cup. Then put baby back on. 

Feed in a semi-reclined (laid-back) position and keep your baby more upright as they feed. Baby will be feeding against gravity. 

© Australian Breastfeeding Association April 2022