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Baby fussing on breast!

3 replies

MistyBxx · 15/06/2018 00:18

My girl is almost 4 months and is ebf.
She's been absolutely amazing (after the first 10 days of hell that is lol) perfect latch, good routine, and we have both loved and enjoyed breastfeeding for almost 16 weeks now and don't have any intention of stopping, except she will have to take a couple of bottles for 8 hours a day 3 days a week when I go back to work end of July.
So lately I've been trying her on bottles to practice and have had trouble getting her to take a bottle, but she will eventually after a big struggle, and she doesn't seem to enjoy it 😩
But she's also suddenly become really fussy on the boob. Whereas she used to latch on and eat solidly for about 20 mins to half hour each side, the last few days I'm struggling to get her to stay on for 10 mins on one side! She wiggles and kicks and cries and it takes ages to get her to latch properly. She's craning her neck around and moaning, pulling, pushing and scratching at my breasts and what used to be a blissful experience is really getting difficult.
I'm thinking have I confused her with the bottles and now she doesn't want me? But she doesn't seem to enjoy the bottles, it's always a fight to get it down her.
Or has my supply dropped and she's not getting enough? This has never been an issue, I've always been lucky and had plenty of milk.
Is our journey naturally ending? Although 4 months seems early, I didn't want to stop all together til at least 6 months.
Or could it be something as simple as the weather has been very warm with us and breastfeeding makes her even warmer? She's a real sweaty Betty anyway.
Or perhaps she's just distracted, she's just enjoying sitting upright at the moment and maybe doesn't like the lying down cradling feeding position? She's fine during the night feeds when it's dark and quiet.
Am I worrying over nothing?!? Any advice appreciated from any experienced boob-mamas out there!! This is my first baby and so obviously first go of breastfeeding xx

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Katearty · 15/06/2018 00:32

Distracted I recon.

My boy is 12 months now but still takes breast in the morning.

Sometimes if it's particularly hot or if he's fussy I will offer him breast during day but will only stay on for a couple minutes before kicking and getting fussy. Luckily this is usually long enough to calm him if I'm using it as a comforting measure.

The reason I say it distraction is that when I feed him in the morning I bring him to my bed with me and he will take both sides and usually feeds for about 20-30 Minutes. But if there is anyone else in the room such as my dog or my Husband (sometimes my Gran as she often comes round before we have woken upHmm) then he just won't stay latched on. Just keeps sitting up and shouting for his Daddy or the dog!

Why don't you try feeding in a dark quiet room see if that helps... without your phone Grin haven't been able to browse and Breast for months now as that's the biggest distraction of them all!

emvy · 15/06/2018 06:11

You pretty much covered all possibilities there in your post. The one thing it isn’t, however, is a sudden drop in supply. Your supply will be just fine. The only other possible option is that she’s actually just got quicker at draining the breast and it actually only takes her 10 minutes now and she’s fussy after this because she’s actually done.

I would second the response from the previous poster to try feeding somewhere calm and quiet, away from distractions. Also try swaying while stood up to get her latch on more easily and see if that helps. I’m so sorry you’re going a rocky patch but stick with it, it will end and you’ll come through the other side!

MistyBxx · 15/06/2018 10:21

Thank you both! I really hope it's just a little blip, I absolutely love breastfeeding 😍😍😍
The distraction does sound right, she's changing every day and is so aware of everything around her now. I usually feed her on the settee in front of the tv lol (unless we are out and about) so maybe I'll try sitting in another room, or standing (although she's quite a lump and I don't know how my back would hold up lol) and she's fine in the night when it's dark and quiet. I will try and concentrate on feeding her today now and see how it goes. She's always been a very efficient eater, so she could well be finishing faster! Hopefully that's all it is xx

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