5 month old refusing to breastfeed

[Noahsmamae]

Hi All. I'm a ftm and having problems for the last month with my DS refusing some feeds. He is EBF and it was all going so well but now he is hungry yet when I try to feed him he just screams like crazy. He doesn't even get to latch most times he goes mad as I get him in to position. He feeds well before bed and during the night and usually in the morning too but then in the day time every feed is a battle. He cries so much it's really upsetting then he will root for the boob again but when I offer it he goes crazy again. It's so awful it's really knocked my confidence and I am really anxious about feeding him in public so feel like I can't go anywhere during the day now. A few times I have given a bottle as he's been so hungry but refusing the boob. Today was the worst, was so worried he would be dehydrated in this heat I ended up giving him two bottles. Usually if I have to give him a bottle I just give a little expressed milk and switch him to the breast when he's done but that he just screamed when I tried today. I feel so exhausted by it all really feel like I can't carry on like this and will have to give up breastfeeding if it continues I had really hoped to make it to at least a year

[guinea36]

Hi there
Just wanted to say I'm having a similar experience with my four month old and it has been going on for two months. it seems to be getting a little better now - so touch wood it is only a phase but I found/find it incredibly stressful.
I think what calmed me down was checking their weight - DD was still gaining weight on her arc so I guessed she was getting enough somehow and taking what she needs, if it seemed like there were ENORMOUS gaps between feeds - which were really scary. I've learned that if she screams and pulls away initially she is probably not hungry yet
I think with DD there is also an issue that she is very distractible during feeding -meaning I struggle to get her to feed in the day and particularly in a new place. I found it quite depressing seeing friends with babies the same age feeding perfectly while I ended up wrestling with her!
In the hot weather I have waited for her to cat nap then as soon she starts stirring, pounce, grab her and put her on while she is dopey to make sure she drinks in the day! She will then usually feed. I try to limit distractions for a few minutes so she is more likely to at least get a reasonable amount of milk before getting distracted - usually though she gets into the zone.
I've also comforted myself by the fact that as she looks healthy and producing wet nappies - things can't be going all THAT wrong. There have been a couple of times when she has refused to feed when clearly hungry - which have scared the living day lights out of me - although not too recently (touch wood). I think tiredness is often an issue - I've found after a nap or going outside for a breath of fresh air she will feed eventually. In addition I think positioning might be an issue for me - I'm finding her increasingly harder to manouevre as she is getting bigger so I'm going to try a feeding clinic for help on that front. Hope that might be some help or comfort!

[voobylooby]

My LO is 4 months and has been doing this the last couple of days, along with some teething symptoms. Put some teething gel on her gums and she had a really long feed immediately. Maybe that's it?

[LillianFullStop]

My DD was very distracted at 5 months and did not feed well either. Also she hated being under a cover and would pull off and complain.

If you're at home I find breastfeeding in a dark quiet room without distractions help (you say he feeds well at night and first thing in the morning). While out and about try wearing a necklace that she can look at and touch without her having to move her head and break the latch.

They are so curious and impatient at this age! It does get better especially when they get more efficient and feeds are quicker.

Hope it gets better for you!

[AreWeThereYet000]

Maybe they are ready to start slowly been weaned? My 5mo was the same and I have started her on small portions of baby rice/porridge which she wolfs down then has bf as a drink after x

[bf1000]

It could be linked to teething. You could try skin to skin and lay him on your chest. They sometimes make their own way to nurse in this position.
I wouldn't worry as long as he is alert and having plenty or wet nappies. If he is dry, looking dehydrated or unlike his normal self I would seek advice but it is likely just a nursing strike or it may be he is so efficient at getting milk now that he gets filled up quickly but wants comforting but not nursing for milk due to hunger

[bf1000]

Personally I wouldn't rush to add food and if you do try food I would avoid baby rice

[Oliack1417]

I've had similar over the last couple of weeks with 5 nth old DS.
Easily distracted, often only feeding for 30 seconds before complaining! He would feed very well in the evening and at night though! It seems to have just been a phase, as suddenly he's lots better, feeding more often in the daytime and only waking once for a feed between 6.30pm - 6.30am. Was previously feeding every 2-3 hrs during the night.

[howthelightgetsin]

4-5 months is the absolute worst for feeding! They don't want to know!

I fed exclusively when mine was asleep (naps and night) around this amount. He was having the same amount of milk (I think) but in less, bigger feeds. I got so worried that he would go on and on without feeding but he did feed when he was asleep and maintained his centile fine. PLEASE don't worry too much. At that age some babies can sleep through the night so clearly they can go ages without feeding. It's so so common too.