5mo grunting/straining/crying at boob

[NinjaTurtleMikey]

My 5mo seems to be really struggling with what is possibly wind the past 3 days. When I lay him down to nurse he latches on like he’s hungry then around 50% of the time he goes red, grunting and straining and comes off to scream/shout (he very rarely actually cries). I’ve walked up and down the front room for hours and hours with him at my shoulder and when he releases a burp I try again. Yesterday morning he was just bringing up his milk trying to burp.

Does this sound like trapped wind? He’s fine otherwise, really happy no temp no sign of anything wrong. Just unsettled sometimes. He’ll only sleep in my arms now or currently in bed with me

Has this coincided with introducing solids OO?

Is the sleeping in your arms or with you a new thing or has he always been like this?

He’s not starting solids until 6 months and he’s always wanted to sleep in my arms but he’s harder to put down now without waking

Ah it’s good that you’re not starting solids until six months. Don’t forget though that it’s only a guide, you can start as soon as they are meeting all the signs of readiness.

Honestly though, I haven’t got an answer to this one and it coukd be totally normal. You could try sone breast Compressions and I’d try one of the BFing Helplines too and see if they have any suggestions.

As for the sleep. Have you read the No Cry Sleep Solution?

Is his nose blocked?

I mean does he have a cold or a bit sniffly.

Oh yeah he’s really interested in anything we eat and tried to pry my lips open to get to the piece of bagel I’d just bitten off and he’s always trying to grab at our food but he doesn’t know it’s food yet and he’s not sat upright.

What are the breast compressions and no cry sleep please?

He sounded a little sniffly whilst eating yesterday and sneezes a lot but the doctor said it’s normal?

He seems better today though obviously it’s only early on. Started infacol last night and didn’t get him laid in bed til 2am after winding. He’s currently falling asleep feeding so hopefully it can make him a bit more comfortable although it’s early on with that too

Sorry OP, I should have linked in my first post. Breast Compressions and the no cry sleep solution.

If baby is very snuffly and this is regular, have a read of this on Kellymom.

And actually, talking about Weaning, the Kellymom info on starting solids is pretty good

Thank you 😊

Let us know us know how you get on

Fingers crossed 🤞🏻 he’s been bringing up his wind well today, not nearly as sicky and only a little grunting. It seemed like it was frustration as he clamped onto my nipple and pulled his head back while... growling? But I held him close and patted his bum and he calmed instantly (this was after his bath and in sleeping bag) and nodded off. Actually went out for a few hours today with no issues 😊 hoping it’s more or less passed whatever it was.

Could be reflux? My 10mo did this and it turned out to be a dairy allergy that was causing reflux as well as other symptoms. I had to eliminate diary from my diet & then she improved drastically x

@cleo2628 can I ask what the symptoms are please?

He had awful trapped wind constantly when he was new and even now his nappies (sorry if TMI) are yellow and clear-ish sloppy, not mustardy with bits in, but the doctor said it’s normal? He’s got no other symptoms and I’m lactose intolerant so other than a little bit of lactofree in my tea’s I don’t really have dairy

Does he have mucus in his poo OP?

I’d say this sounds exactly like growth spurt/leap behaviour. I always find the tell tale sign of it for my daughter is firstly that she’s more fussy, but secondly is also more likely to suffer with wind/bring milk up when burping. She’s 6 months old now and a couple of weeks ago was doing very similar but it only lasted a few days and then she was back to normal. Have you looked at the Wonder Weeks app? Tells you all their developmental leaps by due date and is seriously spot on for my daughter.

I have got the wonder weeks app but it’s got about asking him if he wants a sandwich when I set his place at the table? Not sure if that’s supposed to say it. Everything else does seem really accurate though