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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Has anyone else had problems getting baby to nurse after vaccinations?

3 replies

kimberlina · 06/03/2011 10:59

DD had her 16 week jabs on Thurs (she is actually 18 weeks). She seemed ok rest of the day but then very feverish at bedtime. But she settled and fed.

Since then she has seemed off colour - crying more and sleeping more in terms of catnaps in the day.

But my big worry is her feeding. She has never been frequent - 5 or 6 feeds per 24 hrs being the norm but they are usually long feeds of 30-45 mins.

Since Friday morning I've been really struggling to get her to feed. I can get her to latch on and then she'll maybe suck hard for 5 mins and then come off and just want to suck her hands. I'll try and put her back on or even swap sides but she'll just suck a little longer (30 secs) and then she'll go red and scream and bash her hands into my chest. If I try to even get her into the cradle position she'll go really stiff and incline her head the other way.

She seems to be doing one good feed in 24 hrs. For example she fed ok at 7.30pm last night. Usually she'd feed about 11 but she just screamed when I tried so I put her into bed thinking that I'll be awake soon. But she slept until 4.30 and then fed well for an hour. But this morning she woke at 9 and then I've fought with her and got her to feed for 5 mins but now she's refusing anymore.

She's actually pretty happy at the moment - playing with some toys whilst I type but I just don't know what to do.

Should I just let her nurse when she asks? Should I keep trying to force her to feed?
Should I consider offering her some baby rice or similar (she's been EBF so far)

At the moment she seems ok hydration wise - her lips are wet, plenty tears when she cries, she's having alert periods although sleeping more, still producing wet nappies although maybe only 4/5 per day instead of 6.

Has this happened to anyone else? What did you do and how long did it last?

Thanks

OP posts:
kimberlina · 06/03/2011 11:06

Forgot to say - she was fine after the first 2 jabs

OP posts:
Umnitsa · 06/03/2011 11:21

DD (6 mths) has been similar but I have not linked it to vaccinations.

Had her third lot done last week and has been a nightmare to feed during the day (or should it be daymare?) - she gets distracted, looks around, smiles and flirts with me but refuses to suckle. Best feeds have been when she is very sleepy - either at night or first thing in the morning.

She has always had problems eating and dropped from 50th centile at birth to 0.4th by 3 months (!). On paediatrician's advice we started topping up with formula, and whilst going up the centiles gradually she has become less and less interested in taking the breast. It has worsened after last week's jabs: she is very cheerful and active but just prefers her hands to my breasts Sad. She will be weaning soon so I am not very concerned, but I share your frustration.

Sorry, it was not particularly helpful, just to let you know that it happens with other babies as well.

kimberlina · 06/03/2011 14:38

It's good to know it's not just me. Can anyone give me an idea as to how long it might last and whether I should just persevere with BF or do I need to supplement her intake? Today is day3

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