Bf hurting again at 4 months

[Bobbiepin]

DD is almost 4 months and over the last week or so bf her has really started to hurt again. Her latch is good, and has been pretty much the whole way and aside from the usual problems (pain on let down, cracked and bleeding nipples) at the start, we persevered and have been quite successful at bf.

She's been showing signs of teething for a while, and I'm sure that's probably got something to do with it but she's coming on and off about 10 times before she settles into a feed. Her feeds are getting longer too, used to be about 15-20 minutes but now averaging about 45. She even fed for an hour and a half yesterday. For the start of the feed and by the end I'm in serious pain. Any unexpected noise and she's off to have a look around. DH coughed yesterday and the pain of her yanking around made me cry.

I have a bf clinic I've been to in the past but that's not until Thursday and she's suddenly gone back to feeding every 2/3 hours through the night so I've not even got that time to recover. Is there anything I can do to help?

Sounds like you are hitting the 4mth growth spurt. Not going to lie it was rough and went on for a good 3 weeks for us.

Try feeding in a quiet place with no distractions as much as possible. My LO was taking 4 feeds at night during the growth spurt (though he has never been a sleeper and still takes 2 feeds now at 6mth)

If you don't already try to feed on waking from a nap when they are still drowsy as I found feeds much more calm this way than when he was really alert.

It's been like this for at least a week already and I'm in this horrible pit of pain and sleep deprivation. It's like she's a newborn again just without the naps during the day. She still has one in the morning but fights everything else during the day.

I didn't know there was a growth spurt at 4 months. Everything I've read says 3 & 6 months. I really hope its that because I'm really struggling. I'm crying at the slightest thing and I can't see an end to this.

Sleep regression/ development leap.

(and I've never not had to feed that often over night!!)

Agh feel for you. Sounds classic 4mth regression. Baby sleep science website has practical blog post on 4mth regression & how to avoid creating "bad " habits througjnit that extend the tough time

Basically as pp said find ways to feed lots on day (quiet room, nursing cover)

Good luck

Thanks everyone. I'm stuck half way between thinking its a growth spurt and I should let her feed at night or its sleep regression and I'm forming bad habits by letting her feed. I guess there's no way of knowing, fingers crossed its the former and not the sleep regression. I do try and give her the dummy a couple of times which is usually enough to get her off to sleep but she spits it out and cries, hence the feeding.

My poor nips will never be the same again