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Infant feeding

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

4 week old suddenly fussing & trapped wind

9 replies

MightilyOats · 13/11/2011 08:54

If someone could shed some light on our current breastfeedimg issue I would be grateful!

Ds is four weeks old and has fed via nipple shields since he was about a week old due to tongue tie which was snipped at ten days old. I had to persist with the shields as I was very sore and the latch continued to be painful. I've recently been using mam shields which are a bit bigger so seem to have improved the latch to the extent that Ive been able to do some feeds without them. Problem is that ds wont stay on the breast without a shield for more than thirty seconds - he keeps pulling off but will go back on again for a time. after a while he starts manically rooting but wont latch. What could be the reason for this? Ive noticed that he has started fussing sometimes even with the shield on, hthough he is still givng hunger cues. What should I do? I have a fast letdown so undersupply not a problem.

as a side issue he seems to be getting colicky at night and despite our best efforts at winding him most of the wind seem to be getting trapped in his gut and it takes him an age to pass it. It makes him v uncomfortable so hard to settle. Is there anything we can do to speed up the passage of the wind? have tried bicycling legs etc.

any tips welcome!

OP posts:
LittleWaveyLines · 13/11/2011 10:52

My DD did the colicky thing until about 11 weeks. We tried everything but nothing seemed to work apart from me giving up dairy, which just may have been coincident with her growing out of it.

It was awful ans I'm trying tto block most of it out! I think some babies are born too soon for their gut... evolution is weird sometimes.

sorry not to help but didnt want to leave your post with no replies, and you will get through it.

happysmellyfeet · 13/11/2011 11:32

I'm not qualified, just another mum riding the bf rollercoaster. But could you have oversupply?
Apparently it gets easier soon!

Nevercan · 13/11/2011 13:23

Have you tried infacol which you put into their mouth before a feed which helps release any wind

Albrecht · 13/11/2011 13:35

As I understand it, from a hv, burp wind is different to farting wind (sorry for the graphicness!) So bicycling may help with gas caused by digestion, while winding is for swallowed air.

Tbh some of them are just plain weird / fussy at points and we never found infacol etc a help, just makes you feel like you are doing something.

Have you had good feeds without the shields? He may simply prefer them and get flustered when hungry but trying to latch on an unfamiliar non-shield nipple. Have you tried latching him on with a shield and them once he's had a little to take the edge of hunger, trying without shield?

Also fastlet down may be difficult for him to manage (like eating from a hosepipe on full) so expressing a little first to slow down flow might help.

MightilyOats · 13/11/2011 22:41

Thanks for the replies. We bought some infacol today and so far seems to have reduced the amount of milk and sick he was bringing up earlier, so fingers crossed.

I have had good feeds without the shields but only short ones and then he goes into manic mode. I suspect I do have oversupply, which presumably the shields have been helping to control?

OP posts:
Debs75 · 13/11/2011 22:46

Keep checking your position and latch and make sure his chin is right next to your breast and he gets a good mouthful of breast. It sounds like the nipple shields have confused him a little but I would persevere with them but always making sure you have a comfortable posistion and a good latch.
Try expressing a little before hand so the letdown doesn't hit him at full force.
Also keep him upright after his feed to help with any wind. It it is uncomfortable for him then you need to wind him fully, I was lucky and mine used to just let it go through with little discomfort. they were very pumpy babies.
When winding hold him under the arms and let him dangle down, then rock him very gently side-to-side. It lengthens the body and helps the gas up more quickly

MightilyOats · 14/11/2011 03:31

Thanks for the replies. We bought some infacol today and so far seems to have reduced the amount of milk and sick he was bringing up earlier, so fingers crossed.

I have had good feeds without the shields but only short ones and then he goes into manic mode. I suspect I do have oversupply, which presumably the shields have been helping to control?

OP posts:
KellyKettle · 14/11/2011 04:08

Sounds like it could also be cluster feeding? Both my DDs have done this:

kellymom.com/babyconcerns/fussy-evening.html

dribbleface · 14/11/2011 12:35

Debs75 i think i love you! just tried your gentle swinging tip and ds2 brought up wind well for first time in weeks, he's 6 weeks. sorry for highJack!

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