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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

6 month old baby won't feed, I'm on holiday and don't have my pump

27 replies

RedErik · 07/08/2014 20:15

My boobs are killing, hand expressing not doing much.

Why won't he feed? I suspected he had a bit of a temperature last night and he's been clingy and irritable but no other symptoms.

He's "asked" for milk but can't seem to latch on??? Only had 2 feeds today both early on :(

OP posts:
forago · 07/08/2014 20:17

teething? something sore like in his mouth like thrush or sore throat?

I think its probably OK to leave him one day and keep a close eye, maybe doctors visit after that?

I seem to remember my some doing this when he ha coral thrush?

3littlefrogs · 07/08/2014 20:20

Is his nose blocked? If so he won't be able to latch on. You can make your own saline driops with cooled, boiled water and a tiny bit of salt.

If your breasts are very full you need to express a bit so he can get hold of the nipple. Standing in a hot shower and expressing a little will work wonders.

Try giving him some calpol and see if he perks up a bit.

Does his mouth/tongue look sore?

SweetPeaPods · 07/08/2014 20:24

Can't help with baby but for your comfort have a hot bath and hand express in the water.
Seems a waste of milk but I promise the relief will be worth it.

3littlefrogs · 07/08/2014 20:26

It is possible to feed a 6 month old with a cup or spoon and hand expressing is possible once you get started.
Where are you on holiday? You might be able to hire a pump tomorrow.

Original poster
RedErik · 07/08/2014 20:30

His nose isn't blocked and I don't think he has thrush but I'm no expert.

Could be sore throat. I have calpol but no syringe or spoon to measure. Will normal teaspoon be OK till tomorrow?

Going to try a hot shower now. Any tips for getting him to latch on or should I leave it for now and not stress him out too much?

Definitely going to docs tomorrow if it continues!

OP posts:
QuietNinjaTardis · 07/08/2014 20:32

Could you try latching him on when he's asleep?

clarella · 07/08/2014 20:35

We've had issues feeding when he has had mouth ulcers, three times now, twice it was hand foot and mouth. Can you see anything in his mouth? The first time it was very bad and I had to alternate calpol and ibuprofen (so they over lapped - calpol then 2 hours later ibu then 4/5 hours later ibu), the second not so bad, the last time (just strange ulcers) was so bad I had to express into a sippy cup at night but he was so upset and in pain we ended up getting checked at a and e as he'd only had one wet nappy in 24 hours. ( during the 6 hour wait he miraculously recovered and did a couple of wees Hmm Keep an eye on nappy output. You could try giving calpol and see if it helps?

Have you tried a syringe?

clarella · 07/08/2014 20:37

Sorry x post - they give much higher doses of calpol in hospital so I reckon you are probably ok. Try dream feeding him as I found sometimes he'd latch better when relaxed. Keep going a nursing strike is really tough Thanks

3littlefrogs · 07/08/2014 20:40

Agree it is worth trying to latch him on when sleepy.
Also I agree a teaspoon is fine for tonight.
Maybe he is unsettled because he is in an unfamiliar place that feels and smells different to home?

Bessiebigpants · 07/08/2014 20:40

There's a knack to hand expressing, Make a C shape with your fingers and thumb take hold of your boob feel for the fibrous bit behind and massage that bit rhythmically do both sides at once, relax it may take a few minutes to get the let down and milk will be shooting all over.The knack is not to squeeze your nipples but your breast tissue and don't do it too hard it's all in the rhythem.I used to hand express lady's a lot in my old job NICU so consider myself a bit of a pro.(life saving first milk for teeny preemies) He will latch when he is ready but if your boobs are solid will struggle.Do a bit of skin to skin to relax him and you and get the let down flowing.

BiggerYellowTaxi · 07/08/2014 20:47

I did skin-to-skin when DD went on strike (no feeds from 7am-8pm) and she eventually fed. The day after she came out in a rash on her bum which turned out to be thrush. She never had any obvious thrush in her mouth but we didn't get rid of the until she was treated orally. It was horrible though. Hope he feeds soon.

scrivette · 07/08/2014 20:57

Could you try having a bath with the baby as he may latch on in the bath?

Or perhaps a dreamfeed would work if you could hand express a bit first?

millymae · 07/08/2014 21:00

As Clarella says keep an eye on his nappies - if they're not wet I would take him to doctors sooner rather than later.

SweetPeaPods · 07/08/2014 21:12

Skin to skin definitely good idea. Either in bath or bed where there are no distractions.

3littlefrogs · 07/08/2014 21:32

At six months they get terribly distracted by the slightest thing when feeding.
quiet and dark may be the best environment.

clarella · 07/08/2014 21:54

Oh yes distraction! - I think ds went through a phase of only having 3 brief feeds during daylight hours, taking up at night. He's still like that at 20 months ..... Blush

I had to feed in a dark room pinning him down with my boobs, a toy in my mouth and a book in my hand on occasions.....

Original poster
RedErik · 07/08/2014 23:33

I've just managed to get him to feed :)

There's something not right with him though. He's got a few pink pimple like spots on him and he's holding his mouth open with his tongue sticking out. He's doing a weird moany cry too. But otherwise alert. Not sure what's up...I'll see how he is tomorrow.

OP posts:
Lovelydiscusfish · 07/08/2014 23:40

Nursing strikes reasonably common at this stage, I believe. But nonetheless stressful. Skin to skin with my baby in a pitch black room, holding her across my body, worked best for me/us. I believe having a bath together is also helpful. If you google " nursing strike", you will get lots of good ideas. Good luck!

BiggerYellowTaxi · 07/08/2014 23:43

I'm really glad he's fed. I'm rubbish at judging the seriousness of illnesses but the moany cry worried me a bit as it can be a sign of meningitis. Here is a link to other symptoms for you to run through as well. I'm sure he's fine but just thought I'd flag it up.

Original poster
RedErik · 08/08/2014 00:06

The spots look a bit like chicken pox before they turn into blisters. There's only about 10 of them though, 3 on his face.

He's not very ill he's still active and alert so I'm not too worried.

OP posts:
clarella · 08/08/2014 06:43

Great he's fed Smile where are the spots? Not hand foot and mouth is it?

CultureSucksDownWords · 08/08/2014 08:46

I was just going to also suggest hand foot and mouth? It made my DS very grumpy as their mouths can get very sore.

Original poster
RedErik · 08/08/2014 09:12

Worst night sleep in ages.

He has 3 on his face just under bottom lip, one on the back of his hand, one in his thumb, one on his arm, 2 on his leg, two on the sole of his foot.

None on his body!

They look more like chicken pox this morning, more like blisters.

He seems his usual self this morning. Not fed yet though!

OP posts:
3littlefrogs · 08/08/2014 10:48

Sounds like chicken pox.
Has he been in contact with it?

Original poster
RedErik · 08/08/2014 12:16

I think it might be. No contact that I know of. But we've been out and about since school broke up: swimming pool, cafes, playgrounds etc

OP posts:
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