XP: Oversupply/fast letdown

[snowyowl]

My one month old has been up for over an hour for some feedings at night, which really adds up when he is still waking 3-4 times a night.
I think I have a fast letdown on one side in particular, and much more milk, and I believe it’s contributing to the issue. He gulps and gasps, pulls off frequently, and is probably getting a lot of air. Then it’s an hour or more of wriggling around and crying, gassiness, and occasional spitting up (sometimes quite forcefully). His stomach will feel rock hard.
I’ve read conflicting things about whether I should hand express or pump before he eats to lower the pressure (some sources say it could help short term, but exacerbate an oversupply issue long term). I have tried switching back and forth between sides as well as block feeding. Switching back and forth I can only do if I don’t let him empty either side, and he is usually fussy afterwards.
When block feeding, he generally goes back to sleep fairly quickly when he only eats from the left, but the right causes the issues.
The only thing I haven’t done is pump only from the right and feed only from the left. I don’t know if that’s advisable or not. I am not pumping much right now unless I am leaving him for a few hours and have to replace a feeding.
I keep him propped up a bit so he’s not completely flat when he eats.
He’s gaining about a pound a week, so he’s certainly getting enough to eat.

The impression I got from KellyMom was that this might just be a stage I have to get through while supply regulates. But I’d appreciate any suggestions to make him more comfortable (and get me a little more sleep 😴).

[lily]

I used to latch my son for a minute to get letdown started, then unlatch him and wait for the milk to stop spraying everywhere (just throw a burp rag or washcloth over the boob) and relatch.

When he got a little bigger & could gulp down the fast flow without getting choked, I switched to letting him nurse through letdown, then when he stopped gulping I’d unlatch and burp him, then finish the feeding.

Side lying can be a good position for overactive letdown because LO can let the extra milk flow out of the side of his mouth, but this is hit or miss until baby figures that out.
Any position that gravity is working against milk flow is recommended. Laid back and football hold are popular.

kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/fast-letdown/

This is an issue that tends to work itself out as supply regulates, like you said, but hopefully you can find some strategies to keep everyone more comfortable and get more rest in the meantime.

[snowyowl]

Thank you! The letdown isn’t so intense that I’m getting spraying or heavy leaking, but burping a few times as he eats instead of waiting until the end does seem to help.