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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Baby suddenly won’t latch?

12 replies

Jane0506qz · 13/08/2020 23:03

Hi everyone,

My little girl is almost 5 weeks old and is EBF. She has always been a very good feeder and latched on well from the hospital, even putting on weight in her first week home! For some reason today she has started refusing the breast and just will not latch on. I just can’t understand why, nothing has changed that I can think would suddenly make her stop she is literally going bright red in the face screaming and just suckling rather than latching. I have had to express today and give her a bottle for the first time - and even this she seemed to struggle with. She has been so distressed which is so unlike her. I can’t see any obvious signs of illness either (no temperature etc)

She has managed to latch on a few times today but her suck doesn’t feel as strong as usual and I’m really concerned about the amount of milk she would of got from these feeds. Im worrying she could end up being dehydrated

Please does anyone have any advice on why this may have happened or how I can get my little girl to latch properly again. I loved breast feeding her and I’m so sad at the thought of having to stop!

Thanks so much x

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Gerdticker · 14/08/2020 00:12

I’m sorry I don’t have advice for a sudden change like this - but I would recommend getting help ASAP.

Maybe try both your GP, and call a breastfeeding consultant?

mydailymailhell · 14/08/2020 00:17

Have you been giving her a dummy at all? I found with my babies that if I let them have a dummy when they were very little it impacted on breastfeeding.
Does she have a cold or blocked nose?
Google “nursing strike” as this could be what’s happening. Kelly mom has good resources.

OneTooManyBathtimes · 14/08/2020 00:18

DD was the same, about the same. Does she have colic/reflux? Your best bet would be to speak to your health visitor as you're worried, especially in this heat as she can't have water.

In the meantime, just keep offering her the breast as much as you can. Try her in different positions to see if any of them help. I found that laying down worked better when all things were going badly

Porridgeoat · 14/08/2020 00:21

Mine did this when constipated or having a bit of discomfort which passed

Porridgeoat · 14/08/2020 00:22

Have you been drinking more water?

Porridgeoat · 14/08/2020 00:23

It also might be that she’s not hungry which is ok as appetite naturally fluctuates

GrumpyHoonMain · 14/08/2020 00:25

Try different positions. Are you drinking enough water? In this heat aim for at least 1-2 litres if you can. Try priming her by squirting a bit of milk on her lips before a feed, then when she’s ready feed her your breast like a sandwich so the nipple is in the right place.

HippyChickMama · 14/08/2020 00:26

Have you checked her mouth for oral thrush @Jane0506qz?

Original poster

Jane0506qz · 14/08/2020 00:38

@mydailymailhell we actually gave her a dummy for the first time just a few days ago but she didn’t massively take to it and more often than not just spits it out anyway. But I was worried that this may cause issues with her feeding which it may have done.

@OneTooManyBathtimes yes my little girl has reflux and will often bring up feeds, although has t for a few days now. Could this be effecting her feeding do you think ? Have tried a few more positions and she does seem to be latching on a little easier so thank you!

@Porridgeoat @GrumpyHoonMain I have not been drinking enough water that’s for sure. With her being so fussy today I barely put her down and didn’t get a chance to drink anything until far to late in the day so I could have caused myself more issues there I think!

@HippyChickMama yes no signs of oral thrush I had thought this might be the issue too.

On another note, I have noticed that my boobs seem to have some blockages and lumps almost like when my milk first cake in. I’m wondering if a blocked duct or engorgement could be causing issues with her latching. I have been expressing today where feeds would be but my boobs do feel unusually full and tender. I’ve just had a hot shower and she latched on straight afterwards once my boobs had softened from the shower

Thanks for all the advice!

OP posts:

OneTooManyBathtimes · 14/08/2020 00:46

Try and have a bottle with you in this heat, as being well watered yourself will help.

When feeding her, massage your boobs too if you can. It'll help the engorgement. I never got mastitis thankfully, but boy did they hurt when DD didnt want to feed and I had way too much milk!

Yes, the colic/reflux can have an effect. We bought bottles to help, although neither of my kids liked them and would refuse, but DD did use it a little, which helped a bit.

Fungster · 14/08/2020 00:59

When I was engorged my boobs were like bricks and my babies couldn't latch. Every morning when I woke I had to express first before they woke up so it was easier for them.

Moonflower12 · 14/08/2020 01:11

My DD has this and she had oral thrush but there were no obvious signs- the white etc. The GP prescribed antibiotics that you paint on, to your nipple and baby's mouth.

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