Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Infant feeding

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

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

help please - 8 week old fighting the breast and screaming

57 replies

Astrophe · 03/05/2006 15:40

I've breast fed DS since he was born (8 weeks ago) - hes only had about 5 bottles total - sometimes he takes the bottle, sometimes not.

We got off to a good start with breasfeeding and his attachment was, and is, good. He is a good weight (9.1Lb born, now hes about 13Lb) and is strong and healthy, but when I feed him he screams and pulls of the breast, gulps air, goes stiff etc.

I know part of the problem is that my milk lets down very fast and he hates this. I've tried expressing at the beginning of each feed but it doesn't seem to slow the milk down at all. He has a favourite side. but sometimes wont feed off either. He never seems to take a good feed, and only sleeps for 2-3 hours at a time day and night.

I'm feeling very desperate - I want to keep feeding but am completely exhausted and also have a 2 year old to care for. I feel so guilty to be thinking of bottles, as I fed DD for 14 months. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:

bighug · 03/05/2006 22:25

I had the exact same problem with my dd back in 2003 when she was about 5.5 wks old. She would choke almost as soon as the milk started to flow. She would come off screaming and from then on the whole feed would be stop start stop start, few sucks, scream, milk all over her face etc. I was desperate, almost gave up but decided to phone an extremely helpful bf counsellor at King's hospital in South London, and she said it was called "dramatic let-down". She suggested adopting a position which really helped - basically me reclining with the baby lying on me vertically, her tummy on my tummy, her legs dangling between my legs. Sort of like she was approaching the breast from on top with the reasoning that if she is higher than the breast, then the milk doesn't spurt right down her throat. I did this for every feed for about 10 days. Totally impractical as regards going out and about, and difficult with a 2.5 year old (who is now 5.5!) but I did persevere and got through it. She stopped screaming and gingerly after 10 days I started to adopt more of a sitting position and was relieved to find that my dd could cope with it. The counsellor also advised expressing 30ml AFTER a feed, e.g. hindmilk, and giving this to my baby BEFORE the next feed. The logic here is that you line her stomach with hindmilk to help her digest the foremilk which is lactose-heavy, too much of which can cause painful tummies and wind (correct me if I am wrong any experts out there). I also spoke to an NCT counsellor who advised expressing the foremilk off a bit before each feed which helped to slightly lessen the flow and also saved her from getting a massive dose of lactose. I did this as well!
It is so difficult though if you have problems with bf and a toddler too. The bf and the baby just took over I couldn't think straight or give him attention at all - nightmare! Feeding, expressing, sterilising pumps and bottles to give hindmilk etc is a full-time job. I did get through it (I so nearly gave up) and managed 9 months in the end. Good Luck, but decided what is best for all of you, including your older child.

Original poster

Astrophe · 03/05/2006 22:26

Olipop, how old is your bub?

OP posts:

Original poster

Astrophe · 03/05/2006 22:30

Thanks bighug, for the advice and sympathy. it is hard to keep fobbing of m2 2yo dd. She is being s good though, bless her.

Will deff try the expressing, although melted my pump in the microwave so will have to do it by hand!

Do you just throw out the foremilk then?

OP posts:

Cadmum · 03/05/2006 22:31

Astrophe: DD is also a whopper. In the 3-6 month size also and she was only 6 lbs 13 oz at birth and 6lbs 3 oz 3 days later...

My day has consisted of feeding and trying to get things done with her attached to me. I fully sympathise... Please know that it will pass shortly and that he will be off and running before you know it.

So that your dd doesn't 'suffer' thus making you feel guilty, you could try to read to her while feeding her brother. I take turns with each of the three older ones doing something that they like while I am glued to a seat. Currently DS1 loves to either have me watch him on the internet (educational games usually) DD1 likes me to listen to her read or read to the baby. DS2 likes to have me read him a story or help him with his 'work books'.

bighug · 03/05/2006 22:35

Yes, i think I did...seems criminal! I might have added all the expressed bits throughout the day into one small bottle and frozen it for future date but a) not sure of hygiene of doing that and b) would it be worth it if it was all "thin" foremilk. Memory is failing me a bit on this one (3 years ago!). But no, think I must have chucked it.

Original poster

Astrophe · 03/05/2006 22:36

Cadmum, you sound like a lovely mummy with very lucky kids. how old are they all? I'd like to have four...eventually!

I do read to DD but she tries to sit on my lap! She also loves to play us a 'tune' on her xylophone! She really is very good about it, but I do feel bad for her.

OP posts:

bighug · 03/05/2006 22:37

my dd was 9lbs 1.5 oz at birth too, and did continue to grow all through this. We even thought she might have had oral thrush (hence the pulling off thing because of pain) and the Dr prescribed something for it, but in retrospect I think it was the let-down.

Original poster

Astrophe · 03/05/2006 22:38

ha ha bighug, it does seem awful...but then there is plenty to spare right now!

OP posts:

bighug · 03/05/2006 22:39

well exactly, what's 30ml when you've got pints coming out!

bighug · 03/05/2006 22:41

am going to bed now, but I hope your night is not too bad..I'm 15wks pg with no.3 now, so have all these joys to come again come the Autumn!

bighug · 03/05/2006 22:41

am going to bed now, but I hope your night is not too bad..I'm 15wks pg with no.3 now, so have all these joys to come again come the Autumn!

bighug · 03/05/2006 22:41

am going to bed now, but I hope your night is not too bad..I'm 15wks pg with no.3 now, so have all these joys to come again come the Autumn!

bighug · 03/05/2006 22:42

oops sorry I think you've probably got the message I am going to bed now.

Original poster

Astrophe · 04/05/2006 14:04

hello tiktok are you out there? My DS i already a happier boy...he is even smuling more...does that sound rediculous? We have not had a screamy feed since I started the one side feeding.

I have a few Qs though

If he seems hungry between feeds, do I hold him off for his 'normal' feed time, or just feed as much as he likes off the one breast? Last night I fed him and he was asking for more an hour later (I think)...i did end up feeding him for about 45 mins,

Also, if this works, for how long do I continue feeding like this? And do I always go 6 hous, or reduce it?

Thanks so much! This seems to really be making a difference and I feel so much more positive.

OP posts:

Cadmum · 04/05/2006 15:03

I am so pleased for you. Way to go! Hope it continues to work and that TikTok is here shortly to answer your questions.

tiktok · 04/05/2006 15:08

Hi, Astrophe - sounds good, but it could be chance, seriously, so I wouldn't make any claims just yet!

You ask:" if he seems hungry between feeds, do I hold him off for his 'normal' feed time, or just feed as much as he likes off the one breast?

Last night I fed him and he was asking for more an hour later (I think)...i did end up feeding him for about 45 mins"

Just feed him for as long and as often as he wishes off that same breast. There is no reason to time or schedule feeds.

"Also, if this works, for how long do I continue feeding like this? And do I always go 6 hous, or reduce it? "

Some women for whom this works start reducing the gap but it really doesn't matter - if 6 hourly is working well, then stick with that for the moment.

If you start to have a problem with supply (because this method does reduce your milk production, and while that doesn't matter for most women, it might matter for you) then you could reduce the gap, which would have the effect of getting you to make more.

Original poster

Astrophe · 04/05/2006 15:15

Thankyou tiktok. Well, as I said, it seems to be helping, but I will wait a few more days before I get too excited then!

Sorry, just checking I understand - I keep changing sides 6 hourly as long as the supply is ok, but reduce the time to 5 or less if the supply gets low. I keep doing this for as long as I breastfeed? Or once he settles, say, in a few weeks, do I go back to normal?

Even if this doesn't end up working, thanks a lot for all the time you've taken to help me tiktok and Cadmum and everyone else, you are all very kind. My DH was amazed that you were all so kind to someone you don't even know.

OP posts:

Cadmum · 04/05/2006 16:38

You are more than welcome. That's the magic of MN! I'll be here should you need a sounding board again.

FWIW dd2 is feeding or crying today it seems. I may try the same side for 6 hours as well to fill her tummy properly. (Supply is not an issue for me as I leak all day every day!)

Original poster

Astrophe · 04/05/2006 17:15

I hope you haver some sucess too and that you have a better evening/whatever time it is there. Are you a brit in the us? I am an expat too...it is hard not quite knowing how the system works isn't it.

I normally leak bucket loads too, but its been better today. Yesterday, when I first started the one sided thing it was terrible! Went through many, many pads!

Good luck Cadmum.

OP posts:

tiktok · 04/05/2006 17:44

Astrophe, just play it by ear! It really doesn't matter if you stick to 6 hourly or not long term.....I don't think you will have probs with supply, and when things settle down you prob won't have to think about 'is it this breast's 'turn' now?'

Original poster

Astrophe · 04/05/2006 18:51

ok, think i get it now. I'm actually thinking i should go to 5 hours as he is feeding for a very long time at the end of the 6 hours and its a bit of a pain! but i will just experiment 'till i get it right for us.

honestly, this has really made a difference. we still haven't had a screamy feed and its like feeding a different baby. I'm not having the really painful let down either. I'd forgotten how nice feeding can be!

OP posts:

Witchycat · 04/05/2006 19:44

Astrophe - really glad things are looking up. I'm not imagining there will be any, but just wanted to say don't get discouraged if there is any small set back after your flying start with the new regime. I found it's often 2 steps forward 1 back - but that's still progress remember.

Sounds like you're doing really well so keep going.

Cadmum · 04/05/2006 19:50

Astrophe: I am actually Canadian. I found MN while we were in London (for four years). We are now living in New York but moving to Vienna, Austria in June/July. Where are you from and where are you living now?

Original poster

Astrophe · 05/05/2006 00:53

I'm Australian, living in Derby (UK) for a few years for DHs work. We like it here, but of course miss home, and, just quietly, the NHS is the pits! I would love to have my GP in Sydney back again. How are you finding the expat living? Have you been there long? Sounds like you are real jetsetters.

Feeding still going well and Eli has even been sleeping for 3 1/2 hours...v long for him. Unfortunately I am up with DD...she has a temperature :(

OP posts:

Original poster

Astrophe · 05/05/2006 00:55

Witchycat, yes, am trying not to count my chickens, but hoping for the best :)

OP posts:

Flip

1 2 3

Swipe left for the next trending thread