I know what you mean Vic. I was convinced DD had a pain because she cried after the first minute or so of feeding but I really think in the end she was just frustrated and wanted to see what else was going on.
Of course, that doesn't mean it's the same for you and your ds but don't rule it out because of the crying.
This (below) is from La Leche League. It's a bit long but maybe there's something that might help - even if only to ruleout all these possibilities:
Fussing at the breast
Questions to consider
Has the baby recently had a stuffy nose?
Congestion can be caused by a cold or virus and can lead to an ear infection. Persistent congestion may be a symptom of allergy.
Do you think your baby is teething?
Are there white patches in baby?s mouth, nappy rash, Have you or baby had antibiotics recently? Sore nipples? Are you prone to vaginal thrush?
Both teething and thrush can cause sore nipples in a mother who had been breastfeeding comfortably. If the baby is four months or older and is drooling and chewing more than usual, consider teething as a strong possibility.
If the mother has recently had mastitis, her baby may be reacting to a temporary decrease in her milk flow or a change in the taste of her milk.
Swollen and sore gums from teething can make a baby fussy at the breast.
White patches in the baby's mouth, nappy rash, antibiotic use, sore nipples, and a vaginal yeast infection in the mother are associated with thrush. If the baby has thrush, his mouth may be sore, making him fussy at the breast. (I can provide you with information about thrush if you think this might be a problem.)
Have you started any new medicationss, new foods or products?
If the mother has started a new medication or eaten an unusually strong or spicy food, this may temporarily change the taste of her milk, causing her baby to be fussy. The baby may also react to a new product, such as a new perfume, deodorant, hair spray, shampoo-even the laundry detergent used to wash her clothes-as well as a nipple cream or ointment.
Recent injection or injury?
If it hurts for the baby to be held in the nursing position, due to a sensitive area from an injection or an injury, he may be fussy at the breast. Mouth injuries commonly affect a baby's willingness to nurse.
Do you think your supply is low?
Overuse of bottles, dummies or formula can rapidly decrease a mother's milk supply, causing her baby to be fussy at the breast. If you feel your supply is low I can offer you plenty of suggestions for boosting your supply.
Does baby have trouble coping with flow of milk while feeding?
Some mothers with an oversupply/forceful let-down report that their baby's fussiness at the breast or breast refusal is not confined to the early weeks and months of nursing but may continue as the baby gets older.
Unusual stresses in life?
Emotional upsets and stress can make a baby fussy. Radical changes in daily routine, moving, or other family tensions are sometimes reflected in a baby's behaviour at the breast.
Developmental changes can affect a baby's interest in breastfeeding. As you have found a baby may suddenly become very distractible and may need calmer surroundings to nurse well.
Suggestions
Congestion or ear infection?
A baby with a cold or ear infection will benefit from continuing to breastfeed, and a sick baby can almost always cope more easily with breastfeeding than he can cope with taking liquid from a bottle. But breastfeeding may be more difficult if the baby has trouble breathing through his nose or, in the case of an ear infection, if sucking increases the pressure in the baby's ears, making nursing painful.
The following suggestions may make breastfeeding easier. Suggest the mother:
? Keep the baby in an upright position (by carrying him in arms or positioning him upright in a sling or baby carrier). Elevate his head for a short time before offering him the breast so that the mucus can drain.
? Breastfeed the baby in an upright position.
? Breastfeed the baby in a room where a cool-mist vaporizer is running.
? Try running the water in the shower to steam up the bathroom and breastfeed the baby in there.
? Offer short, frequent feedings.
Suggest the mother call the baby's doctor for medication or other recommended treatments.
When a baby is congested or has an ear infection, he may become fussy at the breast or refuse to breastfeed because he finds it impossible to breathe while nursing. If he has an ear infection, he may find nursing painful because the sucking increases the pressure in his ears.
If the baby refuses to nurse, suggest the mother offer him some of her expressed milk by spoon or cup and keep offering the breast every hour or so. Assure her that when the baby is feeling better, he will want to nurse again. While her baby is refusing to nurse, encourage the mother to express her milk as often as the baby had been nursing so that she maintains her milk supply and her breasts do not become overly full.
Teething can make a baby's gums swollen and sore, and he may begin to nurse differently or even chew on the nipple during feedings to try to ease the discomfort. He may refuse the breast when the pain is at its peak.
Fussiness at the breast or breast refusal due to teething is temporary and will pass as the baby's teeth erupt. Suggest the mother offer her baby something cold to chew on before offering the breast. This may soothe her baby and make him more willing to nurse. Some possibilities include: a cold, wet washcloth, a refrigerated teething toy may help his gums feel better so that he can nurse more comfortably.
Getting Baby Back to the Breast
Patience and persistence are the keys to getting a baby back to the breast. But if either mother or baby becomes frustrated when the breast is offered, it is time to stop and try again later. Attempts to breastfeed should be kept as pleasant as possible, so that the baby will associate breastfeeding with positive feelings.
The following time-tested suggestions have helped many mothers overcome a baby?s fussing at the breast:
Try breastfeeding when the baby is asleep or very sleepy, such as during the night or while napping. Many babies who refuse to nurse when they are awake will nurse when they are sleepy.
Vary breastfeeding positions. Some babies will refuse to nurse in one position but take the breast in another.
Nurse when in motion. Some babies are more likely to nurse when rocking or walking rather than sitting or standing still.
Nurse in an environment that is free from distractions. Some babies, especially babies older than three months or so, may be easily distracted. Turn off the radio and television, and try breastfeeding in a quiet, darkened room.
Give the baby extra attention and skin-to-skin contact. Focused attention and extra touching are comforting to both mother and baby. When offering the breast, whenever possible undress to the waist and clothe the baby in just a nappy. Use a shawl or blanket around both of you if the room is chilly.
A baby sling or carrier can help keep the baby close between attempts to nurse. Taking warm baths together can also be soothing. Sleeping together provides extra closeness and more opportunities to nurse while the baby is sleeping.
Some mothers worry that frequent nursing is a sign that they do not have enough milk. Babies have a strong need to suck and or be held by their mothers and frequent nursing is not a sign of a lack of milk. Breastfeeding is much more than just the transfer of nutrients, it satisfies the baby?s need for security. There is great variation in what is normal and some babies feed very often while others can go for much longer periods without nursing. While rebuilding your milk supply very frequent nursing is normal.