Help my DS won't stop crying whilst BF

[thedogwalker]

I really don't know what to do. My DS is 29 days old and 6 days ago he started getting really upset whilst I was feeding him.

This has now become the norm for every feed. He latches on fine and sucks away for 5 mins or so, then he starts to yank at my nipple, cry, scream and go really red in the face. He works himself up into a right frenzy.

I try burping him and sometimes that helps, but within a few minutes of feeding again, he is back to screaming. It is breaking my heart as I don't know how to calm him down.

He had his 4 week check on Thursday and he had gained 2lb, so I know he is getting enough food, but I'm just worried about the distress he's causing himself.

A typical afternoon/evening for me is... I start feeding at 4 pm and he screams and feeds until he eventually falls asleep around about 10 pm.

I'm now feeling very disallusioned (sp??) with BF and all hints, tips, advice is most welcome.

Sounds really tough, well done for hanging on in there so far. It may not be bf that is the issue per se - maybe something like reflux? Is he sick a lot? Or maybe you have a very fast flow and he's gulping lots of air?

There's lots of more experienced people than me that will be along to help. Also sounds like you could use a decent bf counsellor, you could try the nct or la leche helplines?

Is it every feed or more 4pm onwards?

If so, it could be colic. Unfortunately lots of babies go through a 4pm onwards screamathon in the first few months.

like lukewarm says, it could be a reflux issue - try feeding him in as upright a position as you can, rather than him lying flat

I also agree it may not be a breastfeeding issue so much as a feeding issue. ime relux is worse for ffed babies - or at least, the ones who move from bm to formula seem to suffer more after the switch.

My DS cried at every daytime feed, after the first minute or 2, and this was due to a fast letdown. Very very distressing for me, and I found the first several months tearful and hard. There are tips eg on Kellymom for helping with this. Is he OK at night? If that's what it is, it gets better as they get older. We've been fine since 4.5 months.
I'm thinking of you- really horrible.