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four month old feeding issues - any advice?

4 replies

ancientmother · 13/02/2015 11:23

My DS, who is 19 weeks and EBF, is becoming increasingly fussy at the boob and I hoped someone might be able to shed some light on the reasons why. He's always been a fast feeder, finishing one side in ten minutes or less, but in the last couple of weeks he's been feeding for just a few minutes and then pulling away, arching his back and screeching angrily. Even after burping it's hit and miss whether he'll go back on again for more. I don't think the issue is that he's full, as he seems hungry again a little while later and there's obviously lots of milk still in there. The problem has got a lot worse since he had his first immunisations four days ago (they were his 8wk ones - for various reasons we had to delay). He will feed for just a minute or two then refuse to have more and I'm wondering if the Rotavirus drops are making him feel poorly? Anyway, this might just be average fussy baby behaviour and I'm worrying about nothing, but any help gratefully received!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Loops81 · 13/02/2015 13:10

At around this age mine started taking really short feeds too - just a minute or two on one side then it would be over. In our case she never cried though or seemed hungry - although she would certainly scream if I tried to get her to feed more and she wasn't up for it! It stressed me out a lot but I just came to accept that she could feed efficiently in that short time and she was fine, she has gained weight steadily although I would still say she has the appetite of a fly at almost 10 months. Worth checking with the doc to see if yours actually has a problem but it might just be a phase.

deborah86 · 13/02/2015 20:03

I had this with my DD after her first vaccinations But we have been battling reflux/silent reflux. It passed after a week or so. She is on medication for it but I definitely found that they made it worse. Hope it passed soon for you and a pretty warning they get the rotavirus one again at the next set too.

callamia · 13/02/2015 20:08

For us, it was an age thing and it passed in time. I tember thinking that he's probably be dehydrated or losing weight, but he did neither - he was just a fussy nuisance. I pretty much chased him about trying to wave my nipple into his mouth, and he's scream and turn away. It was hard, and frustrating, but nothing bad happened and it just sort of stopped after

My best advice is don't let it worry you, and carry on - your baby won't actually starve, even though it feels like it.

jessplussomeonenew · 13/02/2015 20:14

Two thoughts; could it be your flow is a bit slower than he's used to (flow often settles down about 3-4 months), and he's protesting about that - breast compressions might help if so. Secondly, could he be getting distracted - four months is a time for getting interested in the world, so feeding in a quiet room may help.

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