Screaming while feeding...

[Mae34]

Hello there - apologies if this has been asked before - my lovely 7 week old daughter who has just started to settle down a bit (less evening grizzles etc) has just begun to scream and pull off the breast when feeding - she gets inconsolably upset and shrieks her head off and I cant get her back on as it keeps happening. I can feel lots of wind coming out of her nappy and I burp her regularly throughout. Its been going on for about a week now and although she used to do it very occasionally before its now almost every feed and I'm worried in case I'm missing something being wrong with her more than wind. I dont have a fast flow so its not that - I dont think she has reflux as she doesnt sick up at all. She has gained 9 oz in last 2 weeks and otherwise seems healthy looking and alert. I have cut out dairly and caffiene for several weeks now anyway. I have tried cycling her legs and burping throughout the feed at intervals. Its really upsetting us both as she seems so unhappy and I'm worried about her not getting enough food! Any ideas? I'm happy to wait for it to improve if it just sounds like gut problems typical of her age...

Thanks!

x

Silent reflux is where they don't sick up. Think about reflux in adults - hardly anyone who gets heartburn is actually sick but it still hurts!

You could be talking about my 8 week old son who's just been diagnosed with reflux. Only a few cases of actual sick, more a case of leaking after feeds. He gained weight very well until the last few weeks, it when from screaming on feeds to refusing feeds quickly. He was an extremely screamy newborn, and only slept when I started to put him on his back or side.

NOw the poor thing has diarrhea very badly and I'm stuck with not being able to get food in him and worrying about dehydration. I can't give him gaviscon infant whilst he's got the runs.

The only thing is she doesnt do it at night when she is mostly fed lying down - would that be unusual if it was silent reflux?

x

My DS cried after the first minute or so of most daytime feeds, but never at night or when half-asleep during the day, for the first 3-4 months, and I'm completely sure now that this was a very strong letdown/ flow issue. Otherwise healthy and happy. You say that you are sure this is not the cause, but it's hard to know isn't it? Maybe try some feeding lying down, with baby feeding uphill and see if it helps? Kellymom has more suggestions. Apologies if you've tried these. (They worked only marginally for me. Problem improved as he got bigger. Gone now)