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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Help! 6 week DS thrashing about & crying when BF'ing

15 replies

mumbot · 06/04/2010 20:17

Hi, my DS is only 6 weeks old and is refusing the breast when I try to feed him. He latches on well, drinks for around 15 seconds then thrashes his head around and cries and won't latch back on.

It's got so bad that he's now under the 9th centile and hv has advised topping up with formula which we are now doing.

I'm expressing too to keep milk supply up. He's taken to a bottle very well and no problems feeding there but he still won't breast feed even though when he's hungry he roots for the breast.

Has anyone experienced this before? Help!

xxxx

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CharCharGabor · 06/04/2010 20:19

Sorry to be brief as DD2 is crying but has he beenchecke d for thrush?

rubyslippers · 06/04/2010 20:20

swaddle him?

try feeding him in a quiet room

i am not sure if he is too young for a nursing strike

does he ever feed well?

DD would be fussy during the day if she was very tired but feed like a dream at night

legscrossed · 06/04/2010 20:22

I dont really want to say this but..............
ditch the breast.
The most important thing is that you n LO are healthy n happy, and for whatever reason that dont sound happy!

Why put either of you through it?

mummamango · 06/04/2010 20:23

You could give expressed milk in the bottle until this phase passes - that way your supply should be ok and you can get him checked out with your doc. Doe she do this EVERY time you feed him?

Original poster

mumbot · 06/04/2010 20:30

Thanks, yes he does this at every feed but in weeks 1-3 he was a good feeder. Tried swaddling, quiet rooms, skin to skin, upright feeds, and I'm expressing and giving him the expressed milk straight away which he takes very well in a bottle.

Not checked for thrush though, will ask hv tomorrow. Seeing GP on thursday too for 6 week check so will ask there too.

So frustrating and I feel at my wits end. I can understand why you say ditch the breast legscrossed, but I really want to make this work.

Thanks for all suggestions xxxx

OP posts:

Bumperliciouzzzzzz · 06/04/2010 20:32

Try posting in the bfing topic, you might get more targeted advice.

There are lots of things you can try before 'ditching the breast' but only if you want to persevere.

Kellymom is an excellent site for nursing problems. This page is about fussing at the breast. Possible an over active let down? Or an under active one? Both solvable problems.

legscrossed · 06/04/2010 20:39

good luck

I felt like you n got to 10 weeks, hopefully you've got more metal

Bumperliciouzzzzzz · 06/04/2010 21:08

Nah, it's not about more metal. You do what is right for you legscrossed. Sheer bloody mindedness was what got me through, and tbh it wasn't always the right thing to do for me or DD, at the time anyway, but in the end I was glad I stuck it out.

If mumbot really wants to persevere there are lots of options that don't involve topping up. Tis a hard job though and I don't judge anyone who found it difficult and decided not to continue.

Woobie · 06/04/2010 21:58

I'd definately get him checked for thrush. DS had it a couple of months back. (at about 20 weeks.)
He's thrashed a bit & was obviously something up. Once we got it cleared up, all got well again & I'm still breast feeding him now at 6 1/2 months.
I would speak to a local breast feeding support worker. They're fabulous & have got me through every problem I've ever had. (Including loaning me a hospital grade pump for when I needed to express during the thrush in order to keep supply going.)
you can try this number: 0300 100 0212 - or look on line for more contact methods. HV should also be able to put you in contact.
Good luck!!

babbi · 06/04/2010 22:58

Had exactly this with DD and discovered that it was an ear infection. She latched on happily but then pulled away in the way you describe as it was painful for her to have her ear resting against me. Was fine again after the infection was cleared up.
Might be worth checking. Good luck !

babbi · 06/04/2010 22:59

Sorry , meant to say that while she was sore she took very well from the bottle but was happy to go back to the breast when better.

Lilybunny · 06/04/2010 23:09

What has your breastfeeding history been like, have you been getting on ok up until now?

Octaviapink · 07/04/2010 09:13

I agree it could well be an ear infection - worth getting it checked.

Original poster

mumbot · 07/04/2010 11:05

Ear infection is a good suggestion, just been to see hv who was equally as perplexed as me, she mentioned in passing that his ear looked red.

BF history...bf for 6 months with ds1, bf successfully for 2 weeks with ds2 then problems started from 3rd week.

GP visit tomorrow, will be asking about ear then.

xxxx

OP posts:

babywrangler · 07/04/2010 20:27

Poor you, upsetting and painful.
I had similar with DD2 - feeding seemed ok at first but she was very windy. From abt 2/3 wks things began to worsen then at 6 wks she suddenly seemed to think, 'Enough! I'm hating this,' and began repeatedly arching off and screaming during feeds.
Turned out she had tongue tie. Getting it snipped was really simple and painless and made an immediate difference.
One to check for but whatever is causing the probs, hope you get sorted soon - it's horrible when they are miserable while feeding. x

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