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Infant feeding

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

11 week old constantly crying at breast (a bit long, sorry)

4 replies

drivingmisscrazy · 04/04/2009 09:39

Hi

our 11 week old has been exclusively breastfed so far, but is increasingly unhappy at the breast. She is gaining weight, but more slowly than the HV would like (averaging about 4oz per week). She is alert, happy (when not on the breast) and has about 4-5 pooey nappies and plenty of wet ones. She is not an easy baby - very active and hard to put to sleep etc. But the main issue is that she latches and then pulls off and cries. This is not, we think, on overactive letdown (my partner doesn't have spray, leaky breasts, and finds it quite difficult to pump). She feeds pretty well at night.

The baby never quite seems satisfied even though she is often given both breasts, and is fed very very frequently (at least every 2 hours during the day). At this point my impression is that most babies are going a bit longer between feeds - she will go for about 4 hours at night if she takes both breasts. My poor partner is dispirited and exhausted and sore as every time the baby comes near her to nurse she cries - this isn't doing much for the bond between them.

Is this a supply issue (we don't think so)? An inefficient latch (loads of people have seen it and pronounced it fine - sucking sounds etc)? A slow let-down that is frustrating her? Any help/advice most welcome, as they are both so unhappy that although it is the last thing we want to do, I can see a switch to formula on the horizon (this also prompted by the slow weight gain, although in itself I don't think this would be a reason to switch).

They have both had thrush which has now been treated, mum taking Flucon but finished course now.

TIA

OP posts:
tiktok · 04/04/2009 09:55

Shame things are going a bit awry I don't see that this is a milk or feeding issue, though - at least, it is not clear that it is. Weight gain is within normal limits, and health seems fine. Frequency of feeding sounds normal.

What isn't right is that 'every time the baby comes near her to nurse, she cries'...is that literally true? Are there times it doesn't happen?

What happens if the baby is held and cuddled between feeds, and responded to early, as soon as she indicates a need to feed?

I can understand that all this has an impact on the relationship between them...is this something that can be helped? I mean, look at the relationship and how it has an impact on the feeding, rather than the other way round.

Is she seeing anyone for support? Has she a history of problems mental or emotional health? Can she be helped just to enjoy the baby and do nice things that don't involve feeding, like baby massage, for instance?

Hope this helps - I do think you will be helped if issues other than feeding are explored, really.

I am an NCT breastfeeding counsellor, BTW.

drivingmisscrazy · 04/04/2009 10:03

thanks tiktok have seen many of your posts on here and you always give sage advice - and I am glad to hear that you don't think it's a supply issue. We've been using a lactation counsellor on and off, but this is a relatively recent development, although she's never been one of those babies who serenely fills up with milk and drifts off to sleep . I just think that her confidence isn't very high; the baby is responded to pretty fast, and is played with and held between feeds. No history of any problems mental or emotional and other than feeding she is enjoying the baby and spending time with her.

I think sometimes maybe that the baby's cues are a bit confused, i.e. that she thinks that the boob will fix everything and anything, and that sometimes she is tired rather than hungry. I.e. she turns her face down into the feeding pillow. I think we will ask the LC to come out and see them next week - maybe her latch has got a bit lazy (she looks fine, but tends not to open her mouth very wide and sort of sucks the aureole in after she latches IYSWIM)

appreciate the response

OP posts:
elkiedee · 19/04/2009 23:47

drivingmisscrazy, what happened? How are your dp and baby doing now? Feeding problems can do terrible things to confidence and mental health, and I hope your dp, you and baby are finding a way through, or do so soon.

hyperspacebug · 05/05/2009 08:39

My 5 week baby is going through exactly same thing. He has had thrush all along since birth now so I hope it explains that and that the treatment'd help with his sore tongue.

How's your baby now?

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