Strange behaviour at the breast

[CuteLittleToes]

This has been going on for the last week or two.

DS is 14 weeks. When I put him onto the breast, he suckles for a while and after that he starts turning his head from side to side while still latched on until he loses the nipple, and then latches on again. After that he comes off and on again and again. If I try to put him back on properly same thing happens. I'm really losing my patience with feedings as when he latches back on himself it is not always good latch and it sometimes hurts. Re-latching him every 5 seconds is quite annoying...

Why is he doing that? Is is teething and he feels uncomfortable? Is he playing? He doesn't always seem distracted when he does that...

[infinitemonkeys]

I had this behaviour with ds and it took me weeks and weeks to figure out what was causing it - turned out it was wind (despite having been told by the doctor that "breastfed babies don't need winding"). Try sitting him up and burping him? They gave me some simethicone (sp?) drops which really helped get his wind up - I think gripe water would have the same effect.

[CuteLittleToes]

Thanks infinitemonkeys. I do try to burp him but it doesn't work - he still does that even if he burps. I don't think it's wind - he sometimes starts doing it 2 minutes into the feed - he can't be getting windy so quickly, can he?

Any other ideas?

[Chocolateteabag]

My ds2 has started to do this. My nipples are not on extending strings!!

I find using a cover (or when I put him up my jumper) means he gets less distracted and concentrates on the task in hand (or in mouth). But he doesn't always like having his head covered either!

[lolalotta]

It's wind!!!! My lo used to do EXACTLY the same thing, it was just a phase for a short time. Stick with it if you can! It's a dream feeding her now!

[lolalotta]

They can get wind that quickly!!! Especially if they take the milk on a bit quickly if you have a fast let down. There are feeding positions you can try which slow the flow of milk, I can't remember which ones now but have a google! Good luck!

[lolalotta]

There are lots of different techniques for winding which might be worth a google too...

[lolalotta]

I remember it used to be like my little one was "bobbing" around on the nipple, it was annoying!

[DeathMetalMum]

Mine did similar while they were waiting for the let down. I have quite a forcefull/painfull let dow so it is very easy to see the changes in my dc when feeding. Sometimes I would have to wait until the let down was coming until dd would re latch.

[CuteLittleToes]

I really don't think it's wind. He still does the same once I wind him. Now if I try to put him back on the breast he gets really impatient/upset/frustrated and start screaming... having a small break sometimes helps, but it all starts again after a while... then I find out he is tired! Weird... maybe just a growth spurt, he's been very irritable and his feeding and sleeping is a bit all over the place.

I do have a fast let down, and when he was smaller he used to chose/cough/splutter, but then he got a hang of it. I don't see milk rushing out by the way when he does that, so I don't think it's that. I do feel when I have a let down, and his behaviour doesn't change before or after.

In terms of being distracted, he's not really looking anywhere when doing this, and his eyes are half shut! But then it doesn't happen so much during the night... Maybe it really is just a phase...

[StillPukin]

I'll be watching this thread because my 6 wk old has started to do this, usually at night, and its driving me mad - and it hurts! It feels like she's frustrated because she seems to get more and more agitated and I cant work out why.

Hope you find a cause/solution

[angryangryyoungwoman]

Its wind,my DD had this for a while, and whenever it happens now,I wind and she stops

[TheScience]

Does he come off because he wants the other side?

[BertieBottsJustGotMarried]

I think it is just a weird phase. Winding can help because it distracts them for a bit.

You could try compression - this is where you sort of squeeze the breast as he's latched on as it can improve the flow.

[CuteLittleToes]

Same thing happens if I switch sides. I really start thinking it's something developmental...

I do compression when he is falling asleep, but I might try it next time, although it's a bit tricky as he wriggles so much.

Sometimes just holding him a bit tighter helps while he's feeding. Or making a break and trying again a bit later, as well as making him half sit rather than cradling him. Although none of this always works, just have to keep trying different things...

[Sunflower1985]

We had this behaviour as a phase. Soon followed by grabbing and clawing the boob. I found a nursing necklace useful for him to grab on to, and feeding him sitting up on my knee (koala hold).

Hope you find a solution, even if you never track down the cause!

[HighlanderMam]

kellymom.com/parenting/parenting-faq/distractible-baby/

Have a wee read of this. Hope it helps.

[CuteLittleToes]

Thanks for all your replies.

Yes, it is a phase. The other day he didn't want to feed just because lying down or even sitting was boring, he just wanted to stand! Not sure how I feed him standing though...

I'll try to limit distractions somehow... maybe put a muslin over his head or something!

It is easier to feed at night when he's sleepy and doesn't do it so much, so I might need to start napping with him during the day again... I need to do that anyway as he's a rubbish sleeper, but that's another story

Once again, thanks for your input ladies

[Buchanon08]

For my LO I think he does it when he's full. At 4 mo I think he's become quite efficient but doesn't know how to stop, hence the on again off again! If I take him off he's usually fine. Hth!