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Infant feeding

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

Baby pulling off boob - OUCH!

6 replies

geekaMaxima · 12/11/2013 12:14

So ebf DS is 15 weeks and has started fussing, pulling away and arching his back at every feed the last few days. Thing is, he yanks his head back while still attached, and my poor stretched-out nips are getting sore! Confused

It used to happen occasionally on the right (less productive) boob and I could calm him down with white noise and/or expressing some milk onto the nipple to encourage him and/or rugby ball position, but lately it's on both sides and the old tricks aren't working so well. He starts it right from the beginning of a feed, but it can pop up again after he's drunk a bit. It's the same pattern every time - latches ok, a few sucks, arches back with a wail and nipple pulls painfully out of his mouth, repeat...

Any suggestions for what I might do? Is it a phase that will pass soon or could it be silent reflux (how can I tell?). I'm starting to dread feeds - I was sore enough yesterday after half an hour of this where he drank sfa that I had to pump and feed him instead Sad

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carovioletfizz · 12/11/2013 12:34

Could it be your let down that is very fast, and choking him a little? Might be worth feeding lying down to help with this?

Otherwise is it worth checking your latch again - going back to basics, and checking he is really well latched on? As they get older you sometimes have to adjust your latch a bit as they grow. Is it possible he is not getting at the milk as effectively as he was and is getting frustrated, hence the pulling away?

Have a look here, too kellymom.com/bf/concerns/child/fussy-while-nursing/

geekaMaxima · 12/11/2013 13:23

Thanks caro - I've been back and forth through that kellymom page but I'm still not sure how to fix it!

I don't think my letdown is that fast as he pulls away at the start of feeds before it happens, in the middle of the letdown, after it occurs, etc. No real pattern there.

If it is frustration, is there anything more I can do besides expressing a taste on the nipple or breast compressions? His latch is generally good when he's calm (last checked a couple of weeks ago when he started doing it in baby cafe), but he hardly gives it a chance when he's fussing like this because he only stays on for 2-3 sucks before he's off again.

Perplexed...

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geekaMaxima · 12/11/2013 13:25

And switching boobs when he fussed - I try that too :s

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Sunflower1985 · 12/11/2013 13:52

We have this problem too. Feels like slow flow frustration. My ds is 14 weeks. I've been trying all the tips to increase supply and it's getting better but the pulling back is still there.
I think this is a real stumbling time for bf'ers but I hope it is a phase that can be pushed through. I hope...

MrsRoss26 · 12/11/2013 13:59

It could be that your little one has entered the next development stage, at which point this kind of fussy behaviour is quite common. Check out the Wonder Weeks for more info on the stage. Hopefully that will be what it is and your little one will calm soon. Otherwise you could try calmly pulling your lo off and starting again, it may help stop it too. Good luck!

geekaMaxima · 12/11/2013 14:44

I soooo hope it's a phase!

(Chants mantra to self)
This too shall pass, this too shall pass...
Smile

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