please help 15week old screaming during every breatfeed???

[rubyroo]

hi i really hope someone can give me some advice as this has already led me to having mastitis this week as i couldn't get dd to feed properly. every feed she latches on and pulls off screaming this generally lasts about 20-25 mins and normally i can then get her to feed. i've tried switching boobs, teething powder/gel rocking her feeding somewhere quiet etc i've tried hand expressing first visualising let down, showers/ hot pads. i've run out of ideas and feel v close to quitting breastfeeding i can't put into words how depressed this is making me feel and the only advice i get from people is to give a bottle instead......her wieght gain is dropping below 50th centile and i'm starting to really panic pleae help

Don't worry, they'll be more help along soon!!

Have you discussed the weight drop with HV? Is it a big drop or just a small blip? DD also had very small dip at 15wks, started solids at 16.5wks but I was happy to do this as she was ready.

When she does latch on are you happy with the latch or do you think it would be worth getting it checked by a bf counseller?

Have you changed feeding position recently?

Have you thought of expressing for an odd feed to see how she gets on with that?

HV has been supportive but hasn't got any ideas of what to do. am getting her weighed every week at the mo to keep an eye on it tho.the latch seems ok, have had it checked but am going to get it checked again. she takes ebm in a bottle really happily which makes me feel guilty about continuing to bf if that makes sense? cause its causing her distress. still using across the tummy hold but have tried rugby style too, and lying down. i' too embaressed/stressed to feed her out at the moment because of the noise.

I would stop giving the bottle- it could be that she is getting used to it and is now frustrated at the slower letdown from breast?
either that or express a bit before you feed her so that the milk is there immediately for her.
You could also try feeding her before she "asks" for it, that way she won't be quite so desperate for food and may take it a bit easier

Rubyroo - I have 2 theories:

We went through this when my milk supply calmed down. First of all it was too fast then just as she got used to the waterfall of a let down it calmed down and she got really frustrated with it and screamed the place down. Was on and off, swapped sides, changed position etc etc. From what I can remember she settled on her own eventually - I like to think it was my clever interventions, new positions etc, but actually after 4 or 5 days she calmed down again and fed normally.

The other consideration is that she is teething. They can teethe for a few months on and off before any teeth appear and some find feeding very painful. Try some calpol for young babies about 10 mins before the feed and see what happens. Sometimes I would express and DP gave her a bottle at bedtime then offer her the breast so she was not starving, she would then just have a quick few sucks and fall asleep. (I was a naughty BF to sleep Mummy )

Hi Ruby.
Sometimes they go through these weird thrashing phases.

Trying differnet holds helps or lying down quietly and letting her rootle herself. Are you sure you are not pushing her onto the breast in your panic?

Many people swaer by cranial osteopathy which can help realign the bones and tissues in the baby's head that are squeezed in birth which often causes them discomfort.

One of the breastfeeding helplines is always good.I am a member of Assoc. for Breastfeeding Mothers.

No. is 08444 122 949

Good to hear your getting latch checked again. How many bottles of ebm does she have, I was advised no more than 2 bottles/day as they sometimes get to prefer bottle than bf, it's easier for them.

Don't feel guilty about continiuing, theres a thread on here asking for reasons to contine... you're doing a great job, it will click back into place, it sounds like you really don't want to stop, it will improve!!

As for feeding out & about, is there a bf group/meeting in your area, I go to one & it's a really nice place to chat & get tips on bf & anything & everything, it might help overcome feeding her out/about.

Sorry I don't have any ideas about pulling off & screaming.....

have cut out all bottles bar a top up after the 10pm feed which i'm about to go and do!!!!!!!! but she never had more than 1 a day. have fed her as often as i can and before she demands i've only used bottles twice ever in the daytime i think it may well be teething pain as she tries to cram her fist into her mouth as we feed sometimes but none of the remedies seem to work just panic that heres something wrong with my supply but i can see that there is milk there as she screams shes got a mouthful of milk!!

How long does she nurse for before she starts to scream? or does she start screaming as soon as she is near the breast?

Is this at every feed or just set times throughout the day/night?

Does she have a cold? bad wind? Is your letdown too forceful?

Check out baby cries during nursing

Could it be thrush? Any white patches in her mouth? Are you in pain? I had this with DS

thanks for the posts everyone. she generally latches on fine then within 10mins is screaming which made think its slow letdown but wierdly shes fine at some feeds but not others??? so 1st feed in morning generally fine, next one nightmare, afternoon fine teatime nightmare 10pm one fine????? i've tried to calm myself by singing to her. she doesn't poo very often but then has a big clearout and doesn't draw her knees up or anything to suggest shes got painful wind. she has got a cold but this has been going on long before that and it doesn't seem to be really bother her (the cold). we've already had thrush so know the signs and am still on antibiotics for mastitis!! but this has cleared up as well.

thanks for the link determination. i'd already found kellymom, which is fantastic!! and used breast compression but so far to no avail have switched the teat on the only bottle of the night to newborn too. i'm kinda hoping this is just a weird phase that she'll grow out of? this is my 1st time through with bf as had complete nightmare with dd1 ( which i won't bore you with!!) and we didn't get past 1st week was so sure i'd crack it this time oh god sniffing back tears as i type this

could she have silent reflux? will go off and find yo ua link.

my ds was ff but he didnt exactly what you are descirbing only with bottles. he later developed normal reflux.

some info here

just did feed not too bad screaming only lasted 10mins this time. can they just develop reflux? shes been ok until a few weks ago?

bump

I wouldn't think that she would just suddenly develop reflux, although, I'm no expert so may be wrong.
Plus, if she is ok with some feeds but not others then I wouldn't think it's that

bumpity bump

i am inclined to agree with callmeovercautious theories and think your LO will settle down soon. really try feeding before she gets to hungry as she will be more patient then. have you tried rubbing a teething gel on her gums before you feed her?

although i am a big advocate for b/feeding, i also think you need to look after yourself, and if b/f is causing you and your dd stress and you feel like you want to give up, then dont guilt yourself into carrying on.

thanks iamasurvivor, am nearly convinced this is all down to teething pain am going to bf support group tommorrow and going to re-post for tips on bfing and teething have a bit of wine and feeling calmer

sounds like colic, it doesn't last long. Just hang in there. Ive read that young babys mustnt go longer than 4 hours without a feed. Ds used to have a 4 hour nap when about that age and used to wake up, feed then scream in pain all evening. This lasted about 6 weeks, I think it was colic.

When dd has cold I use olbas oil so she can breath well when feeding, good luck for bf group tomorrow. It'll prob just pass, great to see all the support though.

Enjoy your wine!

my ds developed reflux at about 6-8 weeks so its possible