Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Infant feeding

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

Fussy Eater - not sure if I'm near the end of BF

7 replies

ClimberChick · 27/06/2010 07:04

Apologies for the ramble, but still not really sure what I'm asking for.

Have a 16 week BF LO who has always been a quick eater (10mins). The last probably 6 weeks she's always been a bit difficult to feed. I always suspected either a slow let down or just her being very impatient. She'll suck for a short time, but if it doesn't come in that time she'll pull of and is very dificult if not impossible to get back on. I also quite often have to continously switch sides, as she pulls off often. We did have a nursing strike about 6 weeks ago, which I attributed to excessive bottle use (I was away for a day) which we overcame, but guess have been dealing with residual after effects.

For the last few days the night feeds have also become quite difficult with me only being able to feed her by giving her dummy and quickly swapping. However not all nite feeds are successful but guess I'm not entirely sure whether she just never wanted feeding. I gave her dummy to try and calm her down to try again and she just fell alseep.

This evening though, we completly failed to go sleep and therefore failed to feed when her feed time came and went. She's also behaving like the nursing strike. Arching her back, crying as soon as place in position and not even attempted to latch on. Is it possible the dummy has caused this. I do think that she might be teething as well. She takes alot of comfort from my finger and teething ring always in the same location and there do appear to be bumps.

The big issue however is that I am returning to work full time in a week so we can't avoid the use of bottles. Otherwise I'd go cold turkey on the dummy. Was planning on EBM. If she then does refuse the breast I don't see how I could express enough for her. I considered having DH bring her to work, but she feeds every two hours. As she has been slow to gain weight I've always been paranoid and done what I can just to get her to feed as long and often as possible. She also doesn't use me to comfort suck.

Just not sure what to do really. I'd hate to get so far just to give her formula now. Also as we've just moved country by frozen supply is VERY small.

This probably doesn't make sense and most likely full of typos.

OP posts:
whomovedmychocolate · 27/06/2010 07:11

She's probably teething - DD had two teeth by 16 weeks. Please try not to worry. Going back to work is tough on you both but you'll get through it. You may find once you are away more the first thing she wants on your return is BM.

tutu100 · 27/06/2010 07:13

Could she not have got more efficient at feeding and that's why her feeds are so short? My ds1 would feed for 45 mins or more until he was about 6 months. Ds2 however never fed for more than 10 mins from birth. I was surprised (and annoyed I had got loads of DVD boxed sets in anticipation for bf marathons!)

My HV said that if you have a qucik letdown and an efficient baby they can get all they need in a few minutes. Also I was guilty of trying to get DS2 to feed when he didn't want to as I was worried by the short feeds this just resulted in my getting bitten nipples as ds2 would not feed unless he wanted to.

Teething definatly affected ds2's feeding, he did seem to find it harder to feed when cutting a tooth, but he fed til he was 11 months.

Hopefully someone with more experience will be along with some better advice, but atm I don't think things sound unusual. I would just keep offering.

ClimberChick · 27/06/2010 07:16

I guess I just feel that if she doesn't want it now, what chance have I got once she's on nice easy bottles. I'm off to bed now so will check in later (probably at another unsociable hour).

OP posts:
ClimberChick · 27/06/2010 07:19

I guess I just feel that if she doesn't want it now, what chance have I got once she's on nice easy bottles. I'm off to bed now so will check in later (probably at another unsociable hour).

OP posts:
whomovedmychocolate · 27/06/2010 20:45

Sorry you are feeling so down about this

But remember last time you were in pain, did you fancy something nice to eat or just to be left alone to have a grumble. She may just come back to you with gusto by tomorrow.

ClimberChick · 28/06/2010 02:01

I think yesterday the lack of sleep was making me more emotional than normal. Why is it that a couple of rough nights can reduce me to a tearful wreck. I know she isn't rejecting me, its just hard not to feel that way sometimes. I do really enjoy BF, but I do find the fussiness difficult to handle. Every time I think we're over it....

Today the feeding has been better, so maybe (fingers crossed) its teething related. Will just have to see how work goes and deal with bottle issues if they arise. Thanks for the replies.

As for me being in pain, cake works but I guess she's not old enough

OP posts:
whomovedmychocolate · 28/06/2010 07:33

Suggest Neurofen for children for her and cake for you

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread