Perhaps you feel that you have too much milk or a strong expulsion reflex? This is not uncommon during the time when the milk is flowing.

Physiologically, milk flows during days 3-5 after delivery, which is completely normal. The breasts become tense from all the milk that is produced and it is easy to think that you have milk congestion. After this, the breasts adjust to the needs of the baby or babies. Most of the time, both the breastfeeding mother and the baby cope well with the transition in milk production, but it is important to trust both your own body and the baby's ability to place its order.

This transition in milk production involving stasis of the breasts was a more widespread problem before we introduced free breastfeeding in Sweden. Free breastfeeding means breastfeeding on the baby's cues. However, sometimes the transition may not be adjusted and if you have too much milk it is usually noticeable after a couple of weeks.

How to tell if you have a strong expulsion reflex

If you have too much milk and a strong expulsion reflex, your baby will usually have difficulty catching his or her breath when the breast suddenly releases too much milk. The baby will therefore have difficulty holding onto the breast and may splutter and cough because the milk is flowing too quickly. Too much milk can cause gas and loose stools in the baby, which in itself can make it difficult for the baby to settle.

Tips if you have a strong expulsion reflex

- Breastfeed on the same breast for the whole session, you can also do this for two or three sessions before switching breasts to give your breasts time to adjust.

- Make sure that the breast on which the baby is not breastfeeding does not have anything that pinches or chafes the breast. Use a roomy bra.

- Hand milk your breasts slightly before breastfeeding your baby. This reduces the strongest expulsion reflex. Here you can read about how to hand milk!