Please advise! Breastfed 7 week old

[littleraysofsunshine]

Some feeds are good but a lot are fussy. Forceful let down, maybe over supply? He feeds on demand but usually 2-3hourly but just tops up. He comes off and on, breaks suction, and always has soooo much wind.

In the night it's lately been 3-4 hourly. But he just won't latch sometimes but will want feeding.

He is bothered by gas a lot but I try all little ways to relieve it. He's gaining so well so that's not the issue, it's trying to make it more enjoyable for us both. My two daughters fed to 15 months, it was very painful with them until 10weeks with the first and three weeks with 2nd but not fussiness like this time around..

He's also had thrush for three weeks that were both being treated for.

He's currently just had a fussy feed and is filling his nappy with the second poop in five mins. Along with some monster burps

Sounds like it could be oversupply like you said. Could you get help from a BF counsellor or lactation consultant? They could also check him for tongue tie.

www.kellymom.com has loads of good information. Have you found your local breastfeeding support group yet? Invaluable, even if it's just so someone makes you a and goes "Oh yeah, that stage is such a nightmare isn't it!" when you whinge :o

Worst feed in a while, currently sat with tears streaming down my face.

It's as if he nipple feeds, doesn't latch, chokes on the flow and cries.

Not all feeds though???

Is it the thrush?

I feel so hopeless it's unreal

Never had this before

Sorry I didn't see this till now. Huuuuge

Call the midwives at you local maternity unit - they'll be able to point you in the direction of real life support

Have you tried different positions? I found Rugby Ball really good because it keeps them more upright, or have a look for Biological Nurturing (I think?)

You can also use two fingers to hold your nipple like a cigarette and that gets more into their mouth. Hold your boob, put your nipple to his nose and sort of ping it in - keep trying again until you feel comfortable.

You can take paracetomol before you feed to help with the pain, also maybe express a bit off before you latch him so the let-down isn't so strong?

Oh you poor thing. It sounds awful for you.

Have you managed to get any real-life support? It could be a combination of a couple of different things and a breastfeeding counsellor or lactation consultant could maybe help crack the puzzle.

Have you seen the milk matters website? It might give you some idea of whether there's a tongue tie complicating things. Certainly the nipple feeding and popping on and off sound a bit like it might be. It's not always the classic presentation of a heart-shaped tongue and a visible frenulum: it can be a posterior tie where everything looks normal but the tongue is tethered too tightly at its base, if you see what I mean. TT tends to run in families also, so it might be the case that this was what was causing painful feeding with your other two children.

How's his weight gain? If he's piling it on despite the fussy feeds, you might well have an oversupply of milk.

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time of it. Feeding problems can make you feel SO down and despairing but I'm sure it can be sorted one way or another.

The funny thing is is that I have done to training for breastfeeding peer support. But now it's my baby I seem to feel clueless. I do think it's over supply.

He's had good feeds today so far. Settled well. But some feeds he just doesn't latch right and spits it everywhere.

Thrush is still all on one side of his mouth and my nipples are sore-ish.

I'll check out the websites.
X

With my two girls I fed them to 15 months despite having ten weeks of excrutiating pain , mastitis, open wound and thrush with dd1. But they were never fussy/latching issues at 7.5weeks old. Especially dd2.

I keep questioning tongue tie but surely this would effect all feeds. Which makes me more away towards over supply

Sway

What colour are his poops? Green is a sign of oversupply. Getting properly checked for tongue tie by someone who knows what they're talking about could be a good idea.

I never had DS diagnosed, but he has a lower lip tie and I think this affected feeding.

Kellymom really is excellent.

Not got much time but it sounds very much like tongue tie. Esp the nipple feeding and wind. TT doesn't affect all feeds equally - it's worse when they are tired IME. Please get checked if you can.

He's gaining well on the 91st centile.

He's always doing little pointless yellow poos, then a big one like a few times a week. Always seems constipated or bothered by wind.

Dr said no tongue tie at 6wk check.

who checked? GP? most have no idea what to look for... ideally you need to get him seen by a BF counsellor who knows what to look for. is there a BF cafe or group near you? they may have someone who visits and could look.

poos sound fine to me, the wind and constipation (or seeming constipated) not so fine.

How are you doing today littleray?

hello littleray
i came on to post something similar and came across your post! i am in the sane boat!!
ds is 7 weeks old and at times is a very fussy feeder. i do have alot of milk which doesn't help.
ds at times pulls on and off, shakes his head from side to side etc. he is also extremely gassy and suffers badly with wind.
we are currently trying dairy free but not sure if its making a difference.
i took him to a lactation consultant in hospital who said he does have a partial upper lip tie but she watched us feed and with a bit of repositioning got a good latch so she didn't think it was causing an issue.
ds also does these wet farts all the time then poos every few days. its a good colour.
ds wakes every 90mins-2 hours at night but tends to feed well and fuss free at night. maybe as i feed lying down... have you tried that??
the only thing i would say is my nipples never hurt so something must be right and he is gaining v well.
i have the hv coming out tomorrow as i just not sure what to do. he is constantly grunting/farting/crying.

sorry rambling.... you are not alone. please feel free to bounce any ideas!!x