Baby fussy at breast even though he seems hungry

[EmmaAndTheo]

Hi, I'm new to Mumsnet and a bit at a loss as to what is going on with my 7wk old son.

He is breastfed and I sometimes express due to a number of factors... extremely sore nipple to start off with (week one to two?), trying colief etc.

He does take a dummy (is that a bad word?) but still gives feeding cues and won't take it if he is hungry. He does suffer with bad trapped wind and does epic burps most of the time after a feed. He will intermittantly wriggle whilst feeding and usually I take this as a sign that he needs a bit of a burp to prceed. Ususally does the trick and he carries on fine.

However, today, he has been exceptionally irritable. He fed fine last night (twice) and again first thing this morning. I'm not sure how long for exactly as my phone ran out of battery... anyway... For the rest of his feeds today he has been going to my boob but crying as soon as his lips hit my breast. He fed ok after a sleep but not for very long 25 mins(?) and another for 10mins. His latch seemed quite good. However, both of these feeds, I did the usual burp interval and he wouldn't go back on.

We ended up feeding him expressed milk on a few occasions and even a couple of ounces of formula one time as he was beside himself and so were we. I'm sure there is more to tell you but I'm exhausted and I can't remember at the moment! He's actually asleep at the moment... I'm taking this as a sign that he is ok.

Let me know what you think, I'd love ANY nugget of information, advice or experience. He's normally so placid.

Thanks, Emma x

Have you tried going to bed with baby and doing skin to skin? That can help soothe a fraught newborn (and mother) as skin to skin releases oxytocin (the love/bonding hormone) in both mother and baby.

It seems like a bit of a low tech solution to a fussing screamy baby but it really can help calm them down (it works on older babies/toddlers too - my 2.4y was screaming for hours one night recently due to a food intolerance triggering a massive eczema flare - DH suggested skin to skin and she actually calmed down enough to go to sleep after a few minutes of being on my chest!!).

It can also help trigger babies feeding reflexes and help them to bf well especially if you sit semi reclined (propped up with pillows but at about a 45 degree angle) and baby is on your chest, they will often crawl to the breast and bob about like a woodpecker/do their best Jack Russell impression before latching on and having a feed. You can just stroke their back and kiss their head while they do all the hard work!

This may also help if you are having trouble getting him on to the breast - here.

Don't forget thebfing helplines are open in the morning if you need to have a chat with someone who knows their beans (and boobs!)

I'm just wondering about nipple confusion Emma.....I am not sure but if he has had a dummy and bottles maybe he is one of the babies that find it hard to adjust to the different sucking action. Definately speak to your HV tomorrow if nothing has changed. Make sure you express your milk or you will get uncomfortable and possibly mastitis etc.

No! 'Dummy' is not a bad word, actually it is recommended on the cot death prevention site that you use a dummy when breast feeding is established.

Hope things settle for you all! Remember everything is a phase!! xx

fsid.org.uk/page.aspx?pid=416

Aw. Thanks! I've just done my second successful feed of the night - both about 40mins in length. Bit longer than they have been recently but I'm just glad he's fed properly!! I'm hoping yesterdays shenanigans weres just because he was feeling uppity but I'm at clinic later so I'll definately be asking.

I'm going to read all you've said again in daylight as it seems to go in more (I'm sure you understand!)

thNks again x