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Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Infant feeding

What am I missing?

19 replies

IBelieveInPink · 03/08/2015 02:10

Ds is 4 and half weeks old. We've been doing okay with feeding, far better than I managed with dd. had the usual painful start/ latch but we are sorted and have been doing well.

Until the last few days. He's was on 3 hourly feeds- ish. Cluster in the morning and evening. Longer gaps at night. Seemed happy.
Now- it seems to be going wrong. Wants to feed all the time. I think the longest he's gone today without a feed is 2.5 hours. Mostly just cluster feeding all day. He's been on me now since 11. He will feed, drop off to sleep, I'll wait to settle him then pop him in his basket and he's immediately up crying. His cry sounds kind of strained? And loud! I've tried winding him. And just holding him. All he wants is to go back on, but he's feeding to the point of sickness. (Literally, all over me) Then wants more. What am I missing?

Other things ( not sure if relevant)

I can hear his tummy gurgling. Suggests wind? Nothing coming up.

He quite often does a chokey cough thing when feeding, and takes a minute to catch his breath. Seems fine after, but scares us both when it happens. It's usually towards the end of a feed (beginning would suggest oversupply?)

When he's feeding, occasionally milk runs out of his nose? No idea if this is connected.

He will take a dummy with some persuasion. But won't fall asleep with it. Just stays awake waiting to go on boob.

What am I missing? I'm so confused, and quite tired. I think I've lost all logical thought. Any ideas what's going on?

OP posts:

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bwow · 03/08/2015 02:30

Don't all of them do this?

Hazchem · 03/08/2015 02:35

The feeding all the time sounds pretty normal to me. With both DS's we had day or even weeks where I just fed and fed. It's exhausting but pretty normal.

FastWindow · 03/08/2015 02:51

No, this sounds out of the normal I think.

Lots of feeding, sure, fine. But all the other stuff, no, a big feed should lead to a big sleep, not discomfort and milk out of the nose.
It still sounds like wind to me.. He is in pain, but in his mind, feeding equals comfort, so he tries that first and it fills him to the point of sickness.
There are loads of ways of winding a baby, and if you are only doing one way, it may not be working for him. How are you doing it?

IBelieveInPink · 03/08/2015 06:12

Ah sorry, he finally settled for a couple of hours.
I try patting/rubbing his back. On my shoulder. In front of me holding him upright. Leaning forward across my knee.
Also try leaning him back and bringing him up slowly.
I often get one or two small burps. Occasionally a big one. Not sure how to get the rest of it, any suggestions very welcome.

Thank you!

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Hazchem · 03/08/2015 08:33

Rather than focus on the wind could you try some different feeding positions. Breastfeed babies don't tend to get air so don;t generally needs burping. Something like a laid back position might be good as it will reduce the flow of milk a bit

JiltedJohnsJulie · 03/08/2015 08:41

Have a look on YouTube for the Tiger in the Tree hold. That can help with uncomfortable tummies.

I'd call one of the Bfing Helplines too. Have you got the numbers?

Justyouwaitandsee · 03/08/2015 08:56

hazchem - everyone told me that about breastfeeding but my bf baby is seriously windy despite MWs and HV saying she had an excellent latch and feeding technique.

The best winding technique we found was sitting upright and leaning babys chin into the v between your thumb and pointing finger. Then straightening the spine with the flat palm of the other hand. Hold still for up to 120secs and wind should naturally come without need for patting.

The coughing/spluttering/choking was normal for us although didn't seem to bother the baby. She tends to take a bit of milk and then stops briefly to catch her breath before returning to feed again. In the early days I would physically break her away myself to give time for the milk to go down.

The milk out the nose sounds a bit odd though. I would definitely seek expert advice for their input...

Hazchem · 03/08/2015 10:35

This is a bit old but suggests milk out of nose could be from a strong eject reflex so a laid back position may help www.breastfeedingmaterials.com/case-studies/nasal-regurgitation-of-milk-while-feeding-or-burping

Justyouwaitandsee yes of course some babies need some help but in general it's not needed. Position can change things as it can slow the flow or increase it.

Hazchem · 03/08/2015 10:39

This article talks about oversupply and might cover a fair few of the the things that are happening

Hazchem · 03/08/2015 10:39

opps www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-info/common-concerns%E2%80%93mum/too-much-milk

IBelieveInPink · 03/08/2015 11:16

Thank you hazchem. A lot of that sounds familiar! I guess as we are in the first 6 weeks it will probably still even out on its own...

I called the bf helpline this morning, thank you Julie for the suggestion. They said all sounds normal, just sounds like a growth spurt. I didn't think that was until 6 weeks, but I guess ds hasn't read the books!

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Lillamyy1 · 03/08/2015 18:26

Did they suggest it could also be a bit of reflux?

IBelieveInPink · 03/08/2015 18:33

They didn't say anything about reflux although I have been wondering. He's started being a bit sick after feeds in the last couple days (but not really before this) and I figured this was just because he's been feeding so much... But I'm doubting myself about everything at the moment....

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Angelik · 03/08/2015 18:46

different types of wind. one in the gullet which needs gentle rubbing and patting on back. the other is in the intestines which requires baby massage on the tummy. worked an absolute treat for dd.

breastfed babies do get wind. it's a myth that they don't or it's less.

cantmakecarrotcake · 03/08/2015 19:46

To aid winding and sore tummies try sitting baby up and rocking them back and forth gently (like row row row your boat).

Reflux babies can often cry for more milk to ease the acid but it's counterproductive, unfortunately.

IBelieveInPink · 03/08/2015 22:52

Off to see someone tomorrow about baby massage.

Bit scared about what tonight will hold.... Fingers crossed!

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Ahardmanisgoodtofind · 03/08/2015 23:00

No advice but sounds just like my dd (12days old),it's exhausting, the only way she's slept off Me today has been in her car seat/carrier thing and that was only for around 45minutes.can sympathize op!

Ahardmanisgoodtofind · 03/08/2015 23:03

*20 days old

IBelieveInPink · 04/08/2015 11:40

Been to see health visitor today. They suspect a bit of reflux. Good to know what is going on at least, even if it doesn't help much!

Thanks for all the help ladies.

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