Feeding: Breast refusal

[sommeliermama]

My little one is almost 5 weeks old and I have been mostly breastfeeding with a couple of pumping sessions a day so that my partner can help out with feeding.

She has been colicky since around week 2, definitely struggles with a gassy tummy but we've been ok at dealing with her symptoms. However in the last week or so, she's been refusing to breastfeed on at least 50% of all feeding sessions. She feeds for maybe 30 seconds or a minute or 2, then cries hysterically. I can see she's in pain and it's really horrible for her. Generally it doesn't happen during the night feeds but can happen any time during morning, afternoon or evening.

She is, however, taking most of her bottles of expressed milk with no problem. And is gaining weight. It's becoming difficult for me as each day she seems to refuse the breast more and more.

My supply seems good, and I'm worried maybe my milk letdown is too fast for her? I'm not sure. Has anyone else experienced this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated ❤

I think the problem is mixing with bottles so young. It’s harder work getting milk from a breast than a teat so she will be getting frustrated.

Some babies cope with swapping between both but some don’t and 5 weeks is tiny. If you want to reverse it I’d stop expressing and only breastfeed and you could try again in a few weeks. If you are knackered and really need to share the feeding for your own well-being then obviously ignore that suggestion!

I think you need some me RL help if you want to get back to feeding from the breast.

Like the PP says, she's probably not in pain, just prefers not having to work for her milk.

Is there a BFing Support Group that you can get to?

Thanks both for your replies. I'm realising maybe the opposite is the problem, the milk seems to be spurting out too fast rather than her having to work for it. When she pulls away, her face is often covered in milk and it's coming out in a really fast stream. She seems more content feeding when my breasts are less full.

I'll ask my HV about getting some breastfeeding support. I have managed to do more breastfeeding than bottle feeding today so feeling a bit more positive

I had a similar experience and was shown a technique at a BF clinic - pressing down on nipple with palm of hand for 10 seconds, then pressing fingers tips around edge of nipple for same time. This seemed to slow flow sufficiently at start of feed for my baby... not sure exactly what it did tbh but it worked! Good luck, definitely agree with pp about finding a support group