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Infant feeding

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

Can anyone tell me what might be going on?

13 replies

Naetha · 06/02/2008 00:27

Hiya there. got a 5 week old DS who is going absolutely frantic at the moment.

He's exclusively BF, although his last feed was expressed and bottlefed. He has had absolutely loads to eat tonight - drained my boobs twice over and had about 6oz ebm since about 8pm - spread out though as he's been cluster feeding. He's had infacol periodically throughout the evening as he struggles to get a burp out without it. He's been regularly winded all evening.

Although he's been awake for about 2 hours, in the last 30 minutes he's gone absolutely manic - rooting like crazy (to the extent of tearing his face to bits with the flailing), looking like he's about to die of excitement when the boob comes out, then sucking frantically for 30 seconds, then arching his back and screaming, spitting the boob out. The result (of a spat out boob) is the same, regardless of whether I had already let down or not, so he wasn't gettnig frustrated at presence / lack of milk. He's also possetting loads, and seems to have a brief crying bout, then vomits a little, which settles him momentarily, for about 30 seconds then it all starts again. I've tried a dummy - works for about a minute then spits it out and won't have it back.

Any ideas? Could it be reflux? He seems happiest when slung over my shoulder, but isn't a fan of being on his back at the best of times (position of the fortnight: snuggled on mummy's chest), but doesn't vomit much the rest of the time. This behaviour (frantic for food but doesn't really want any, just wants to vomit) doesn't happen at any other time of day, jut tonight and last night. I'm just desperately trying to soothe him - have tried dark quiet room and everything to no avail.

Is there anything I'm missing that he's trying to say to me that I'm just misreading?

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 06/02/2008 00:31

It sounds like he's overtired.

No point trying to feed - can you detune a radio and sway him on your shoulder to the gentle white noise in a dim room?

And much empathy - I remember this! It does pass, I promise!

Shizaru · 06/02/2008 00:32

All babies have a growth spurt between 4-6 weeks. He is feeding more to satisfy this, and this in turn will increase your supply for him.

Just feed him as and when, and it will settle down again in a day or two.

It could be that you have quite a fast let down. perhaps you could keep putting him on the same side and express off of the other for a few feeds? Or, express a little at the start of each feed and then let him suckle.

S1ur · 06/02/2008 00:39

I would advocate the cuddle on shoulder/rock and sway form of settle for this. Or even the colic hold, tummy along arm and pat back rhythmically.

Worth a try.

Probably not reflux unless he is commonly showing lots of discomfort on back. Also not necessarily overactive let down since he doesn't eract to your let down. He is probably full and tired and not sure how to settle.

Dsnce with him

TabithaTwitchett · 06/02/2008 00:43

Just patience. I was frantic with my baby but I don't think there is a magic cure. Just go with it, most newborns are the same. It will get better and there is an end in sight!

Naetha · 06/02/2008 10:53

Well after a monster bout of hiccups and finally sicking up half his last feed he fell asleep straight away and slept for 4 hours (a first!)

I guess I just need to look out for those overtired cues and not let DH "settle" him. (DH is still at the stage where he things DS is a new toy!)

Thanks for your late night help

OP posts:
PeckaRolloverAgain · 06/02/2008 12:50

Naetha, DD is nearly 5 weeks and I really relate to your message.

Think I have been misreading sleep cues as hunger and over stuffing her when she just wants to sleep. Therefore she sicks up what she didnt need etc etc

Do you swaddle?

Naetha · 06/02/2008 18:28

No he absolutely hates it - currently he will only go to sleep when being held, except for on the odd rare occasion...will try and get him out of this habit soon. Any idea when you should start putting your foot down as to them not settling in their own moses basket / cots? I think 5 weeks is a bit young for any kind of controlled crying, but he can be very sleepy, so I put him down in his moses basket (in a grobag as this is what he seems to prefer) and he pings wide awake and gradually works himself up to screaming, regardless of whether we're there or not. Might have to investigate the white noise thing, although would prefer it if it was music! Maybe industrial hardcore would have the same effect ...

OP posts:
Sanwi · 06/02/2008 20:18

hi there -

we've done a bit of controlled crying with DD from day 1 - sometimes there's just no other way. she's now 8 weeks and has learnt to settle herself quite well. if she cries more than 15 mins we generally know there's something the matter (too hot/cold, nappy, feed)i was surprised how quickly she stopped crying and went to sleep if just left

one good piece of advice DH's aunt (a midwife) gave me is that newborn babies get tired if they are awake for more than 2 hours at a time. it can be hard to spot their cues, but once i started looking, i noticed DD yawning etc. and now know when she needs to be put down before she reaches the point of no return!

also, have you checked the room for draughts? might seem obvious, but we've found that getting rid of them and making sure it's nice and warm really helps as well

Shizaru · 06/02/2008 21:40

Would just like to say that Controlled Crying is not advocated for babies under 6 months for a number of reasons.

Please dont do it. Babies like cuddles, just like adults do

Sanwi · 06/02/2008 21:56

i'm not suggesting doing it all the time or ignoring a baby - but every now and then, when they're over tired and scream despite cuddling, leaving them for a bit to have a cry can work.

just like adults, babies can get fed up of being cuddled too

theyoungvisiter · 06/02/2008 22:09

sounds like it might be overfeeding...? DS used to do this - he'd feed loads, get fuller and fuller and eventually start to feel uncomfortable. Then because he felt uncomfortable he'd want to suck (for comfort) but of course then he'd get even fuller. Eventually he'd vomit and usually go to sleep right after.

I don't know what the answer is because if you withold the feed they get upset - but DS grew out of this fairly rapidly.

Shizaru · 07/02/2008 00:25

Leaving a baby to cry a bit now and then is a great deal different from controlled crying, which is what you said first off.

I just wanted to make sure the OP was clear that "controlled crying" is never advocated for babies under 6 months. If that's not what you meant then that's great

terramum · 07/02/2008 08:55

The pulling of the breast could be a sign that you have a forceful let down - this link has some info on this & tips for coping:
www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/fast-letdown.html

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