Problems breastfeeding advice needed please

[pixley]

I gave birth 15 weeks ago to a beautiful baby girl whom I have breastfed since birth. After a very stressful 4 weeks (very sore nipples, thrush, invasive thrush, mastitis) breastfeeding had become a pleasure. She fed 5-6 times a day fully from both breasts, a feed lasting 45-60 mins. Our problems started a week ago.
She now only feeds for 5 minutes off one breast then pulls off and screams if I try to get her reattached. I wonder if she might be teething as she if chewing her hands and drooling. I haven't changed anything else. My husband (who is a GP) doesn't feel she is an ill baby. I'm expressing to keep up my milk supply.
I makes me feel very sad as a feel she is rejecting me (I know this is not the case).
Has anyone else had this problem, if so how long did it last for?
Thanks

Don't worry too much about your milk supply- it generally takes ages for it to dry up entirely unless you have a hormonal imbalance, so as she starts feeding properly again, your supply will pick up. If you feel that she is fine apart from this, try not to worry too much, and trust your gut instinct and your husband's expertise. Just watch to be sure she is getting enough wet nappies to indicate that she is not dehydrated.

And personally I wouldn't try to get her reattached if she is already an efficient feeder. Just give her the opportunity to have a feed at regular intervals, but don't force the issue, iyswim. If she is rejecting food, or has sore gums, or is fractious for another reason, going off food is a reasonable reaction. I know it feels more personal if their food supply is you, but try to imagine you are offering her solids rather than your nork- not being hungry would be good reason for turning them down. Remember that your milk is the best food available for her, and this (temporary) rejection really is nothing personal. Good luck!

Sorry, part of that last post made no sense- must proofread. What I meant to say is that if she is not hungry, or has sore gums etc...

It could well be that she has suddenly upped her efficency - DS did that and it was weird that he went from 45 minutes to 5 literally overnight.
Is she having plenty of wet (ie each nappy is really wet and the urine is pale and non smelly) and dirty nappies ? If so, shes getting enough milk.

Is she getting more interested in the world around her, and so prefers to feed very actively, and then get back to playing? My 4 mo ds is doing this often now, which is a pain, as he's not napping much.

I second the point duchesse made about wet nappies, though.

I agree with the others here, it sounds to me as though 50-60minutes per feed was a long time, she might have been sucking for comfort instead of for milk, and now she's feeding efficiently she doesn't need to feed so often. It can change overnight though, and you will be feeding her all the time when she goes through a growth phase. keep an eye on her weight. does she still eat at night? Pumping is not a bad idea, it did increase milk prod with DS1 (but somehow didn't work for DS2). Good luck!