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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

7 week old baby won't BF

20 replies

VamonosPest · 12/04/2017 20:33

My DC3 is 7 weeks old. Aside from some early teething problems my other two DC bf no problem. This time things have definitely been more difficult. I think this baby has a weaker suck and is definitely more windy. Whenever I try to feed her she gets really agitated and cries. She sometimes takes a bit but then arches away from the nipple. She only really feeds when I have rocked her to sleep and then she is coming round and I can shove the boob in before she wakes properly. But obviously this isn't particularly efficient feeding and is really hard in public. Also it means that she takes most of her milk overnight! I'm feeling really sad today about what I'm doing wrong this time and why my baby won't feed. She seems really unsettled Sad Please help!

OP posts:
blue2014 · 12/04/2017 20:35

Have you tried using teething gel before a feed? I'm having exactly the same problem - I think with DS it's either teething pain (apparently it hurts more when they feed) or reflux (which we are already treating for DS but just in case in an issue for your DD)

Original poster
VamonosPest · 12/04/2017 20:43

I hadn't even considered teeth at this age but the gel would be worth a go, thanks blue. How old is your DS and how did you realise he has reflux?

OP posts:
Heirhelp · 12/04/2017 20:45

My DD did this with reflux at the same age.

blue2014 · 12/04/2017 21:00

I know 7 weeks is very early but some babies are born with teeth so I guess it's possible? DS is 18 weeks and the 'only eating after a sleep' thing seems to have started alongside early signs of teething

Original poster
VamonosPest · 12/04/2017 21:00

Heir, did you manage to resolve it? What did you do? xxx

OP posts:
SerialReJoiner · 12/04/2017 21:01

Has she been checked for tongue tie?

Original poster
VamonosPest · 12/04/2017 21:07

She was checked for tongue tie in hospital and they said that it all looked fine. She has been gaining weight ok, I thought with a tongue tie the latch is painful and low weight gain?

OP posts:
SerialReJoiner · 12/04/2017 21:16

Not necessarily; my DS had posterior tongue tie and i wasn't in pain at all. He was gaining weight, albeit slowly. Your description of weaker suck and being windy made me wonder. What are nappies like? Yellow poo, lots of wet ones, etc?

Original poster
VamonosPest · 12/04/2017 21:24

Lots of wet nappies and she was producing lots of dirty ones but then all of a sudden about a week ago she didn't go for days, she finally pooed after about 5 days and it was absolutely huge and thicker than before then she didn't go for 4 days and it was the same. I posted a thread and people said that sounded normal. But I'm not sure if it is a sign of something (and if so, what?!)
If she had a tongue tie would nappies give a clue?

OP posts:
SerialReJoiner · 12/04/2017 21:35

Seems a bit young to be slowing down on the poos, imo. It could indicate she's not getting enough milk. But I'm no professional! Tongue tie causes less efficient feeding, so less milk or (in my ds's case) only the watery "foremilk".

I strongly advise you to get to a local LLL group or breastfeeding cafe. The internet is great for many things, but sorting out a bf problem really needs face to face contact if at all possible.

Original poster
VamonosPest · 12/04/2017 21:48

Thanks serial. It definitely needs sorting, I'm getting really down and have been in tears to my husband tonight. It feels so much harder to try and fix things with two other DC to care for too. My health visitor said that most of our local bf support groups had closed due to funding issues but I will try and find one to get to, or a LLL meeting.

OP posts:
SerialReJoiner · 12/04/2017 22:16

Keep her close in a sling if you can. She may prefer being upright, and being close to you can get her back into the swing of things have with feeding regularly. Also helps to have hands free for older dc!

I feel for you; I've dealt with two DC with feeding issues while having to sort older children and it's tough.

icclemunchy · 12/04/2017 22:35

LLL also have a 24/7 helpline you can call Smile

FlaviaAlbia · 12/04/2017 22:43

I wondered about tongue tie too. DS couldn't feed at all, yet no one in the hospital spotted it and they kept in me as he wasn't feeding. He was very windy and projectile vomited a lot even with the fancy no wind bottles.

The LLL has affiliated lactation consultants who'll come out to you if it's hard to get to a meeting. I think I paid about £40 for it, it was worth every penny, she diagnosed the tongue tie as soon as DS opened his mouth.

MrsStinkey · 12/04/2017 22:49

Have you tried cutting dairy out of your diet for a few weeks to see how baby gets on? Dairy intolerance can cause babies to be very unsettled and refuse feeds. It can also cause terrible reflux which in turn makes babies even more unsettled. Might be worth a go tsk see.

sitonyourbottom · 12/04/2017 22:52

All other things being equal, the poo situation sounds fine at 7 weeks (2 of my 3 did this from about 6 weeeks - my oldest used to frequently go 7 days between poos and once went 10). Slow weight gain can be a sign of trickier to spot tongue tie, I would def see a specialist lactation consultant instead of just midwives at hospital as many are not properly trained to spot tongue tie. LL is a great recommendation. If you are in London I can recommend some excellent people if you want to DM me. The whole feeding thing can be so stressful in the early days, best of luck!

Original poster
VamonosPest · 14/04/2017 20:56

Thanks everyone for advice. I have a sling in order and am going to hopefully make it to my next local LLL. She has been feeding a bit better today but only on one side, she literally refuses the other and gets distressed. I have no idea why! I am really full and uncomfortable on that side now and when I try to get her on and she has a couple of sucks she almost chokes Confused

OP posts:
FlaviaAlbia · 14/04/2017 21:26

Possibly because it's full it's too fast flowing when she does suck? Completely guessing though...

Could you hand express a bit? For your comfort as well, you don't want to be getting blocked ducts...

hellomarshmallow · 14/04/2017 21:34

I had a similar thing as my flow was too fast. There are positions you can try to slow it down (with gravity), I think kellymom.com has some ideas. You can also express a bit (I'm always recommending it, but the Haakaa pump is brilliant, cheap and easy)at the beginning.

hellomarshmallow · 14/04/2017 21:35

kellymom.com/bf/got-milk/supply-worries/fast-letdown/

Otherwise you could give infacol a go. DD3 cried for a bit whilst/after feeding and it seemed to do the trick!

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