DS fussing on breast - 7 wk old

[FlightofFancy]

Hi all,

A bit of help please as I'm starting to lose the will to bf in the evenings - my DS has recently started a really unpleasant habit, and I'm trying to work out if it's normal, or something I can fix. As background, he's 7 weeks - a really good weight (was 6.14 when born at 37 weeks, was 11.1 at 6 weeks - gone from 25th percentile to just over 50th just BF), tons of wet/pooey nappies, and generally a very happy, placid baby - currently lying next to me watching intently as I type!

He'll normally feed really well, but between 4/5pm and 8/9pm he's really messing around. I know cluster feeding at this kind of time is normal, and I wouldn't mind if he was actually feeding. However, he'll start feeding - do great for 5 minutes, then start thrashing his head around (while still latched on - ouch!), then looking up at me instead of normal focus forward. Then he'll wave his arms around, grab my hair, kick his legs out etc. I'll un-latch him or he'll pull off. At which point he decides he's still starving hungry and lunges for my nipple again. This goes on for some time... if I 'shut down' and cover up again, he'll start doing his 'half boy/half woodpecker' impression, banging his head on my chest in the hope of more food. So I latch him on again and we start again... he doesn't really cry during this, apart from with frustration, so it doesn't seem like colic/reflux and he doesn't seem to be in pain - just hungrier than I seem to be able to provide for. This has gone on for 4-5 days now, so I'd thought that my supply would have responded to demand?

I went along to the local bf clinic, where, of course, he fed beautifully and they couldn't see the problem...

It doesn't help that he gets madly tired, but will only doze for a short time because he's really hungry so we end up in a vicious circle, when normally he's very happy sleeping from 7-9.30/10ish.

Help! Really starting to lose the will to carry on with this... sorry for long post!

Has your diet changed at all? Also, when you look at him does he have a bluish (windy) tinge around his mouth, up under his nose? Thrashing around could be his way of trying to get his wind up?

Really as long as he is still having lots of wet and dirty nappies, there shouldn't be too much to worry about - he's obviously growing well too.

If you are really concerned you could try and top up. Maintain the BF but introduce a small bottle feed after BF - depending on how much he takes you should be able to work out if he's getting enough.

One other thing to consider - you couldn't be pregnant again could you?
My friends DD became very fussy on the breast when she found herself unexpectedly pregnant again

No, def not pregnant (unless it's an immaculate conception )... and absolutely no chance of being so unless he starts sleeping well in the evenings again!

Did think it might be diet, but couldn't see why that would only be a problem in the evening - my tea time snack of kitkat and cuppa not changed since he was born!

I've just checked down the forum and someone has recommended redirectingat.com/?id=470X756&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kellymom.com%2Fbf%2Fsupply%2Ffast-letdown. html as a link for reasons why there could be problems feeding. I do combine breast and bottle feeding (to begin with he would take a full feed from the bottle after I had 'fed' him) but it's settled down now - he tends to feed off me during the night and bottle more during the day (except for 'snack' feeds - he's 9wks old, also born at 37wks, also on 50th centile) but if it turns out that his problem isn't related to the actual breast milk, you could find that he also has problems on formula. (I suppose that would be an answer of sorts )

As I do combine breast and bottle feeding I find that he's more settled on the pre-mixed milk (rather than powdered formula - obvioulsy NOT heinz now !)

If you feel it is linked to the BF, give the formula a try but don't give up, all babies get niggly!
don't put too much pressure on yourself and try not to get too stressed.x

Hi, what you are going through sounds similar to my bf problems with my daughter. There is no rhyme nor reason to her outbursts on the boob and I too am beginning to loose the will to continue bf. She will latch on and then pull herself off after a few minutes then nose dive into my boob and flail about, then the screaming starts to happen. She screams until she goes purple and tears appear (it breaks my heart every time). I have swapped sides, changed the position to rugby ball, laid down in bed with her....I have cried, sobbed my heart out and threatend my husband that I will put her onto formula if I can't sort this out and I really don't want to do that. Not sure what to do, going to local bf support group again on Friday and will talk to midwife again.

hi just wanted to let you know my 5 week dd does similar thing at some feeds, i change sides then if she is still hungry put her back on 1st (and sometimes back on 2nd again) it's all rather faffy but i get big let down then not much else for a while till next 1 so if she's hungry it gets quite frustrating for her. also if you've done all you can for that sitting try getting up and distracting him. my dd has just had a feed (twice off both sides) then seemed like she was going to head bang again so i got up and walked around (holding her forward so she can't bob) and now she is flat out - think sometimes she just gets a bit obsessed. hope this helps