Tugging and back arching - why?

[FirstAtForty]

My 12 week old DD is exclusively bf and over the last few days has been doing a lot of tugging and back arching while being fed, which is uncomfortable for both of us. She keeps the nipple in her mouth while doing this and appears hungry. I have to keep my arm firmly behind her head to stop her from really throwing her head back, so it ends up being a bit of a wrestling match.

She eventually lets go of the nipple then frantically tries to latch back on, bobbing her head (so that the nipple goes in and out of her mouth to no avail) and beating my breast with her fist.

She will eventually latch back on, only to start tugging again.

She doesnt seem do this with the bottle, though is not often bottle fed. Is she trying to get more milk out? Might it be the taste she's objecting to? She almost seems to be in pain, though it could just be frustration. Any tips / advice?

She's pretty well nourished and healthy, has done this occasionally before but seems a lot worse at the mo.

hi my 18 week bb does it too. sucks to start then goes of and on crying once he realises the let down hasn't happened.he too seems better when lying down.he has done this for weeks but im now convinced its to do with let down .its also worse if he is tired and for some reason thers is not much of a problem with the dream feed.

hi festering,

haven't read entire thread so apologies if i repeat anything.
go and see a breastfeeding counsellor, get your latch checked. if she isn't latching on properly then she mightnot be getting milk out effectively which might be why she is getting frustrated/not gaining weight.

supplementing with formula will not help your supply at all. the more she feeds the more you will produce. try and spend lots of time with her skin to skin and feed every time she seems interested.

you can find tips on increasing baby's weight gain and increasing supply here:

weight gain

increasing supply

also here about getting faster flow

flow

hairymclary - ta 4 links, ds feeding now so i'll take advantage of the time and have a look.

festering - I'm getting ds weighed today (and immunisation so i'll see how he's doing, though i am pretty sure he is gaining weight. He slept 9.5 hrs last night so he cannot be that hungry . Hope your little one picks up soon .
i tried him with a bottle sat nite and he went mad! Did not like it at all!

Thanks for the advice and links Hairy, I've had a quick read through but will go back and read properly.

I think things are going a little better now, I've been trying to rest and feed more often and she's not doing so much of the arching and tugging, however she does still bob on and off and feeds are still quite short.

I'm also trying to express and freeze every day to try and get supply up. Off to the clinic later this week so will ask about a bf counsellor.

Hope the weighing and jabs went okay today Cruisemum

hairymclary - those links were brilliant!It answered every question I had! Thanks! ds stil cluster feeding in evening but sleeping 9.5 - 10 hrs at night -yippeeeee!!