Baby screams while feeding

[NeemumVM]

hello

first time mum here! Baby girl is 3 weeks old and we are breastfeeding. Had a slow start due to eclampsia and a hospital stay, but mostly feeding well now. We were asked to do formula top ups for a few days as milk came in late and baby had lost too much. However she smashed it and put lots on and we’ve now been told we don’t have to do top ups.

I want to keep breastfeeding as long as possible but baby is screaming during feeding and I can’t work out why she is so uncomfortable. She lets go of the breast lots, moves her head from side to side, screams and sometimes pulls he legs up. Shes really unsettled and it’s getting me so down! I’m wondering if it is reflux, an allergy or perhaps a fast letdown. Does anyone have advice on how to find out what the issue is? Does anyone have experience of baby with any of these issues and can give advice on how you worked it out and how to help her?

Thank you!!

Congratulations on your new LO

How's her latch? Does it look like this?

Having said that, it could just be normal baby behaviour.

Have you managed to get to any BFing Groups. They are usually pretty good at helping you realise what's normal and what might need a bit if support. BFing is a pretty new thing for her too

The odd compression might help though? It's one of those things that if it helps, that's great and if it doesn't you haven't really lost anything.

Thank you! I don’t think the latch is quite where it needs to be but had a good session with feeding team at the hospital and we’re working on it! It’s hard to get a good latch because she’s so desperate to get on there and gets really cross with any delay!

Actually just went to urgent care for a rash and they spotted that she has oral thrush :( I wonder if this might actually be the issue! We will see if things improve with treatment. I hadn’t thought about BF groups. That’s really helpful advice. Thank you so much!

Definitely try the groups even if you're just going for a and some adult company.

And yes the thrush might be the issue. Have a read of this from Kellymom.

If she's getting a bit bothered you could also have a go at laid back breastfeeding, I found it quite helpful when I wax feeding mine