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Infant feeding

10 wk old tugging at breast and unsettled

10 replies

beanstalk · 14/03/2007 12:39

My DD is exclusively bf and in the last 2 wks has become unsettled when feeding, pulling on my nipple when feeding and flailing her arms about. It seems to be in frustration or pain but I am sure its not wind (I've dealt with that before) and my milk supply is ok. It's also coincided with lots of drooling and hand sucking. If I take her off the breast she protests but then quickly loses interest in feeding.
There's also a sleep problem - she won't got to sleep without screaming, hardly naps in the day and wakes up thrashing around and is hard to settle back down. I had thought this was down to overtiredness and wind, but now wonder if it's connected to the feeding issue.
Anyone recognise these symptoms? I instinctively feel there's something wrong, and have had reflux and early teething suggested to me, but not sure.

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luciemule · 14/03/2007 14:03

Before I just read the last bit about teething being suggested - I'd have suggested teething. I know it seems early but symptons seem to be there and some babies are born with teeth just under the surface.
Or perhaps oral thrush - but it would be more likely for you to have it to and you'd already know that and be in pain yourself.
Can't remember how old they have to be for bongela?

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Phillie · 14/03/2007 14:16

A similar thing happened to me recently. I used to exclusively feed one side at a time and it's worked well with him gaining weight brilliantly, esp. for a prem. Then, my LO started napping poorly, waking up earlier and also doing the flailing business. I then noticed he was suckling but not swallowing after a while on the breast. I then started to switch breasts at this point and he miraculously napped better and slept an hour or two longer at night!

You sure he's not on a growth spurt and/or your milk supply's playing catch up?

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Phillie · 14/03/2007 14:18

Oops, sorry, she!

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laundrylover · 14/03/2007 14:39

In a rush but is there a local bfing group that you could go along to? Some face to face advice is always good along with all the brilliant MN stuff.

have you tried wrapping her up to stop her flailing? Whilst it could be teething (very early) the hand sucking and drooling is normal at this stage. random thoughts....have you tried a sling/out in the pram for her to get a better nap? Maybe she is just over tired? I too swap sides quite a bit BTW to keep'em interested!

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beanstalk · 14/03/2007 15:18

Thanks for your replies, first time on MN and great to share advice!

The teething thing struck a chord because apparently I was very early too, had my adult teeth by 5 yrs!
But also interesting to read your reply Phillie, I have been feeding one side at a time which up to now was working fine. I have tried offering the other side and she sometimes takes it, sometimes not. I initially put it down to a growth spurt too, but 2 weeks? Also I quickly got engorged after a couple of days of constant feeding so pretty sure the milk supply caught up.
The pram/sling thing doesn't work, tried walking her for 2 hours yesterday and no nap! Maybe I'll try swapping sides more often see how that goes, if I can cope with the pain!

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laundrylover · 14/03/2007 17:33

Do you mean that you are in pain Beanstalk? This shouldn't be the case unless you mean it's just down to the pulling. Let me know more about the pain/where it is etc.

Do you have a group to go to?

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beanstalk · 14/03/2007 17:49

No I just meant the pulling, it's quite painful as she's quite strong! I don't know abut a bf group, I'm sure there must be one I could go to. I saw a good bf counsellor a few times in the early weeks to help get the attachment right, I could see her again?

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laundrylover · 16/03/2007 21:22

Yes of course you can see her again, bf counsellors are for any bfing mums whatever age their babies! I think that would be a really good idea. Failing that your HV should be able to tell you where and when your nearest bfing group is.

Has it settled down at all or is she still tugging?

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Phillie · 29/03/2007 09:35

Did it resolve?

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beanstalk · 29/03/2007 13:11

Thanks Phillie, yes it seems to be better. I think it was a growth spurt, although have to say it has knocked our feeding out a bit, she isn't feeding as routinely now. She seems to sometimes not "ask" for food for hours (but will feed when it's offered), then other times cries for food every 2 hours. Nothiing to worry about I guess but a bit frustrating when she was so predictable before! There's always something new to contend with!