2 Week Old Pulling off Breast After Couple Sucks

I would recommend going to see the lactation consultant at the hospital if you have tried all the other good ideas the other ladies had. I had the same problem with my now almost 4 year old from the time she was born they told me my technique was fine she wasn't sick just wouldn't latch for more than a few seconds so she gave me something called a nipple shield baby can latch easier she got her milk I used it for maybe a couple weeks then weaned her off of it straight back to the nipple no problems she self weaned when she was 2. Good luck!

Hi S.,

You may have an active let down which could be a little too powerful for your baby. There are two things you can try.

1) pump a little bit before latching your baby on, this way you will get rid of the most powerful part of your letdown before he latches
2) try reclining back when nursing so that you are laying slightly back and your baby is on top. That way your milk will be flowing "up hill" and won't be as forceful when you let down.

Remember that he is still learning how to nurse - so keep trying and he will get the hang of it. Good luck and feel free to contact me if you have further questions.

J.

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If you have tried reclining back to help slow the flow and using the football hold and still no improvement then I would call a lactation consultant. First check with the hospital because they should have a list.
I looked on the map and you are not too far from Drexel Hill, PA. Drexel Hill has a pediatrician (Dr. Penny Soppas) who is also a lactation consultant. If it is tongue tie as someone else suggested in another posting, Dr. Soppas is one of the experts in PA on this and could easily correct if for you and then spend time right after helping you with latch.

Also check out the website for http://www.nursingmoms.org/ because they are an organization out of Wilmington Delaware who has volunteer counselors you could call and get help from. Their website lists lactation consultants in your area.
Let us know how it all turns out.
S. www.HarrisburgBreastfeeding.com

My little guy often did that when he had a lot of fluid in his ears. Its not an infection, but the fluid the doctor said can be just as uncomfortable. They make prescription drops that numb the ear and when he had trouble I used them and it helped.

S....

I have a 5 wk old and he does the same thing...I think it is there way of trying to pass gas or work at getting things through what could be their immature system. I let him do that for a little bit and then burp him real well and then let him nurse again. The second time he usually latches on and stays latched....until done. I wouldn't think it would be anything about you....my first and third sone did the same thing....He could just be having problems with passing gas which mine seems to be having. And it is a stage...this too shall pass....good luck!!

I had this problem and someone suggested getting the flow started by gently squeezing my nipple between my thumb and forefinger to produce a drop of milk before putting the baby to my breast. It worked for us. Seems he was frustrated not getting any milk in the first few seconds.

Hope that helps!

Congratulations on the new baby! I think it may have to do with letdown reflex. Sometimes babies find it hard to keep up with the flow of milk at letdown and it lasts for a little bit. I would let him do what he finds confortable. I think that as he gets a little older and learns to suck faster and also swallow at the same speed he will not come off the breast. Both my children did this. lasts about 2-3 weeks then they get the hang of it. I used to feel my letdowns and therefore it was easy to put this together. I even had to find a washcloth to soak up all the milk for a few seconds while my older waited to latch on back again.

S. M.,
First off, congratulations on your newborn. Perhaps your son is uncomfortable, be certain his spine and head are in alignment as you hold him. I know after a while feeding my daughter I would get laxed and forget to ensure I wasn't making her reach for my breast. In my case I was sitting to upright and not relaxing my shoulders, so her head was reaching to latch on. I was also making her turn her head to much, thus torquing her neck/spine in an uncomfortable manner. I fixed this by turning her legs and hips so that they were more on her side thus bringing her head and spine in alignment with my cradled forearm. Try it, I sure hope that is all the issue may be. Happy mommying.

Hi S.,

It might be that your letdown when he first starts to suck is to strong. You might try to either manually express or pump just a little to get the letdown started and then put him on. You could also try a different position, maybe you could position yourself a little more reclined. Working against gravity if it's a forceful letdown sometimes helps.

I hope these suggestions help. You can always try the Le Leche League website or NMAC website for more ideas or help.

Best of luck to you.

D.

I had this problem with my second daughter. It turned out she was haveing a hard time sucking because of the the string under her tounge was to short. It should have been cut when she was first born, but the peditrician said he didn't think it was a big deal. When she was four we got it cut and it corrected a lot of problems. Her speach, even licking an ice cream cone was easier. Not sure if this is what may be the problem, but I thought I would mention it. Good luck.

I agree with everyone here (too fast let down) but I was also wondering if you are giving him a bottle at all (even of breastmilk?). If you are he could be frustrated because the milk isn't coming out fast enough from you...they call this nipple "confusion" but I like nipple "preference"...milk flows faster from artificial nipples therefore the babies like it b/c they don't have to do as much "work" lol. Just another possibility if there is a nipple other than yours, if not my vote is on too fast...my dd had this happen for about a week, I varied positions, pumped beforehand, etc and it helped.
:)

One of my guys did this when his little throat was irritated from reflux. The key that I found to figuring out what was going on was paying attention to when it happened -- just as he starts to suck, just as he starts to swallow, just after your letdown, etc. If it happens due to simply sucking, then it may be frustration at waiting, nipple "confusion, etc. If it happens as he starts to swallow, it may be reflux, ear issues, etc. If it happens at letdown, then he may be getting overwhelmed by your milk flow. Hope this helps . . .

Hi S.,

Contact your local la leche league representative.

www.llli.org

Hope this helps. D.

S.,
I'm wondering if maybe the milk is coming out too fast for him? Maybe he's finding it hard to keep up with it. If this is so, try pumping for a couple of minutes before you feed him to get rid of that initial rush he might be experiencing. Check your positioning too - maybe there's a preference there for him and one that allows him to breathe a little better. Hope this helps!
L

You said he seems frustrated... is he arching his back and crying at all? I'm wondering if it could be reflux. My youngest had reflux and would pull off and fuss and root again. It took forever for her to get enough to feel full. After the dr put her on zantac (I think, I can't remember!) she was much happier during feedings. Good luck and I hope you can figure it out!

Hi S.,

It sounds like you are having a common problem that lasts just a short time after milk supply is well established with a new born. Your milk is probably coming too fast when the baby first starts to nurse and he can't swallow fast enough to keep up. Try pumpin briefly before you nurse him - if this is the problem, pumping a little first will alleviate it. You should not have to do this for long as your milk supply will regulate itself soon to the baby's needs. This happened to me with my second child and lasted about 10 days. Good luck
C.

I agree with Leda. Maybe your milk flow is too fast and he's having trouble keeping up with it. Try pumping a little before you feed him to lesson the flow a bit. Also, I would try contacting a lactation consultant if that doesn't seem to help.
Good Luck! :-)