breastfeeding PLEASE HELP!!

[tryingtobemarrypoppins2]

DS almost 4 months has started this week pulling on and off not really taking feeds, crying lots during the day wanting to suck. I am having to 'feed' him every 1 1/2 to 2 hours to sort of settle him but its continuous cuddles to settle him and comfort sucks.

This afternoon after a whole day of this and my toddler really having enough, 1 tried formula.....he took 200ml!

Whats going on!!! ????

4 month growth spurt? DD was bonkers at that age.

I am sick of growth spurts!!! First it was the 2month, then the 3 month, there just can't be a 4 month can there!!!! Anbd surley he would latch on??

Could it be he's distracted by what's going on around him? I remember how much more aware they become at that age.

Have you tried feeding a quiet place? Just a thought.

True drinkyourmilk (wish he would!!) it is a little better but I just don't know why if he is hungry he would pull on and off and smile at me.....

DS was like this at 4 months. It was partly a growth spurt and partly I think his tummy hurt from having his feeds too close together.

Some people find that gently tummy massage may help. Could you send him out for a walk with a kind volunteer?

Have you phoned a bfing helpline? I've always found them very useful when I've been stressed.

I'm not sure babies of this age understand that drinking milk stops them feeling hungry. They just see mummy - and they are just starting to learn social interaction - so they say hi(smile).

You could drap a muslin from your shoulder over his face to see if this helps. When he's latched on well and in rhythm take it off and see if he'll keep drinking - if not than it may be a few days before he rediscovers his non-covered drinking mojo!

He wants to smile at you because he likes you! They change a lot at 4 months old, hence the growth spurt. Try and minimise distractions if you can - but I know it is tricky, I have a baby and toddler as well! Plus if he's hot he'll be feeding a lot more - is this the case where you are? DS2 is feeding at least every 90 mins if not every hour at the moment.

I wonder if it could be early teething?

You could try expressing milk from the other breast when he feeds on one, and keeping that to top him up if you think he needs it after a feed, until you get the problem sorted out. You can hire a breast pump by the week from Ameda Egnell.

Many thanks everyone. A bit part of the problem is he is using me as a dummy, he likes the comfort and ends up in bed all night feeding all the time, I'm really tired.

We went out with a baby friend today, baby same age, sleeps right through the night, goes 3-4 hours in the day between feeds and has 2 long day sleeps....they are bottle feed. My baby is awake and feeding all the time

Have a look at this and this. Sound familiar?

My DD was exactly the same- 4 to 6 months was hard.

Please don't be jealous of the ff baby. I was ff and didn't sleep through until I was 4 and my sister was bf and slept through from 2 weeks.

I think its more to do with personality than the way they are fed.

You know you are doing the right thing.

My DS was the same - telling me he was hungry then having three sucks before arching and screaming to look around. Smiling cutely when I was trying to feed...

He's now (5 months today) more or less come out the other side and is feeding better. Only screams at me if he's too tired, so watch timings of feeds and naps as that seemed to help. When he was at his worst it helped to feed him as he was going to sleep or napping - so sort of a dreamfeed during his lunchtime nap (not sure how feasible this is with toddler!).

Agreed that at the moment 4 months plus (hope only until 6 months!) is tougher than the supposedly hideous first few weeks! (props eyes open with matchsticks after marathon middle of the night feed/giggle/time-to-play-mummy marathon...)

My DS started doing the same thing around 4 months. I think it's a combination of being more sociable and teething which upset his feeding rhythm.

It's been a few weeks now and his feeding has pretty much settled down again so stick with it and it will get better

Thanks again. Today is a little better, he is sleeping now, has been for about an hour and he had an hour this morning. Over night I was a bit more insistant he had his dummy first and if that didn't settle him I then feed....wasn't too bad. I know they don't recommend it but I did try some cool boiled water yesterday and he took 3oz.....it was a hot day.....fingers crossed he settles!! Thanks again xxx

Just a thought - I had a similar issue with mine when I changed my deodourant. It took me a while to cotton on to the cause. I realise now that she is older that she is hypersensitive to smells so it all makes sense.

Probably barking up the wrong tree but thought it was worth a mention.

Early teething? Growth spurt def a possibility DD did exactly this at this age, but all the pulling did encourage my milk supply to increase. If it is really hot could be thirst i.e. feeding more often to get the watery foremilk so water was a good idea. Also have you changed your diet eaten anything unusual curry etc ... Are you drinking enough water? Could be milk supply down because in the heat you need to drink more when breastfeeding. Oh and awake and feeding all the time is normal for a breastfed baby, although 4 months was a particularly bad patch from what I remember, apparently this is healthy hence reduced incidence of SIDS with breast fed babies. My DD nearly one still wakes a lot in the night, especially when teething, like at the moment. Get naps in the day when you can, I am off to catch up right now while DD is sleeping.

Thank-you interesting comments. Don't think my diet has changed but I really do need to drink more. Interesting about SIDS....

He is very sleepy on the boob today.....think I need to keep an eye on him today.

Morning whoops afternoon my DD is teething at the mo and sleeping a lot more, does this everytime think it has something to do with growing. Is he feeling hot? Particularly if you touch his head, could be teething, growing (growing is tiring) or touch of virus maybe?

He is hot to the touch temp is 37.2 so I think he is ok, just trying to keep him cool. He is feeding at the mo.....doing well ish! Just keeps falling asleep today!
Lots of dribble, hands in the mouth etc so could be teeth I guess. My nipples are sore though from all this pulling on and off! Hope your getting some rest AllSheepareWhite whilst your DD gets some sleep!

Temp sounds normal, symptoms sound a lot like teething. They do say not to give teething gel before breastfeeding as numbs throat which can upset swallowing reflex in younger babies. Try this if teeth a problem (worked for me when DD was early teething, later on need stronger stuff when molars come in!) and all natural - brew strong peppermint and chamomile tea in a bowl (2 bags of each), cut up strips of muslin and soak in tea, then chill or freeze and give to bub to hold and suck. Get some Avent nipple cream - very soothing if kept in fridge. At least he is feeding my DD seems to be more interested in talking to my boobs today!

The sore nipples sound painful, have you spoken to a bfing counsellor? They may have some good tips....

I think a baby of this age needs milk not water, and expressed breastmilk would be more nourishing than water as a supplement, while helping to keep the milk supply up.

I agree the mother needs to make sure she is not dehydrated and that contact with a breastfeeding counsellor would help.