Hi! My son is 7 weeks old and seems "frustrated" when nursing. The following happens mostly in the evenings: about 3-5 minutes into a feed he starts to fuss, pulls on my nipple, loses any sort of a "good" latch, pulls off completely, cries, gets back on- attack mode style- and the same repeats... It seems like he wants more and is frustrated. I also don't think we have a very good latch, never have. We met with a lactation consultant early on and she found a "slight" tongue tie but did not recommend snipping. She also said he has a "small" mouth. In the past few days the above pattern has begun to happen more often and it breaks my heart to think that he is not "getting enough" and is hungry?
Any thoughts/advice would be very much appreciated!!
Thank to all for the advice, ideas, thoughts. I Have already spoken with a LLL support person who was helpful. I have been feeding my son almost every 2 hours or so and he seems fine. It is the eveninthat is tricky and I think it is a combo of his being tired and perhaps a slow down in production at night ( someone told me'this happens?) I am also going to a support group tomorrow. The reflux is still a possibility, he has been spitting up more And has strange gurgling sounds in his belly as well as excessive drooling. Also, he has gained over 2 lbs, grew 2.25 inches and just turned 7 weeks! If I come up with any other ideas I will share them! What a wonderful support you all have been! Best~N.
La Leche League!!!!! Advice from other mom's who have been there and done that! And anytime you're concerned that baby may not be getting enough count the wet diapers. If it's coming out it's going in no matter how they act...
You can find a LLL meeting near you at http://www.llli.org/webus.html
My 5 1/2 month old is going through the same kind of thing. He may be ready to go through a growth spurt and preparing your body for the extra milk he is going to need. At least that's what I think my little girly is trying to do. It is really the only time she fusses at all during the day, it's right before her bed time. She has been sleeping through the night for awhile now but she likes to eat every 1-2 a couple of times before she settles in for a good 10-12 hour sleep. This past week she has been eating for a few minutes, pulling off to cry, and then latching back on with both hand and her mouth like she is starving to death, your "attack-mode" description is perfect!
I agree with previous posters try going back/another LC and see what they ahve to say. Many once you pay for the first consult you have a few for free.
Up your water intake to prepare yourself. :)
N.,
Congratulations on breastfeeding your son! It's one of the best things you can do for your child! Good luck and stick it through - you will both benefit from your diligence to find an answer for this hiccup.
first, get a second opinion on the tongue-tie.
(I moved this from last) Oh and another thought - he might be thirsty. Try switching him after the first pull-off to your other breast. The first foremilk is thinner than the hindmilk which has the all-important fat in it. It's been warm weather - and he might be looking for a 'drink' as well as being hungry!
He might be getting tired and need a rest - and be taking that rest. if you are comfortable with his nursing you have a good latch - he's getting the nipple where it belongs -on the soft palate rather than the hard palate.
it may be something he just needs to grow out of! a small mouth may be just that - small. He may need to grow into where other infants and babies are on the breastfeeding spectrum.
Best bet - nurse as long as he needs to is what he needs. until he is done. He is hungry of course - but will likely do less attacking when he knows the end of meal/the nursing session is his decision.
Likely he will smooth out his routine in a few weeks to a couple of months. You didn't mention whether he was born early/on time/late.
being paged myself,
good luck,
M.
Seems it may be a letdown issue... either too fast or not fast enough. May want to see a IBCLC or LC about this. Do not worry he's not getting enough, at 7 weeks they really won't eat a lot.
Also cluster feeding can be common at this time to get your supply up to what baby needs.
If it isn't working, get another consultation and keep asking for help til something changes. Maybe it's the hold. Maybe it's something in his physiology. Maybe it's the timing. But keep asking and insisting on answers til you get one that works.
I second. My lactation consultant told me to lie on my back in order to allow him to suck and not have too much milk coming out. Gravity will bring it down. Also, on the other side, my baby would get upset when the foremilk/letdown milk was gone and he had to actively suck to get it, if it was at a time when he preferred not to work for it. He would be annoyed--funny now, but at the time it had me feeling like I wasn't doing right by him.
I can't remember the details, but we went through the exact same thing. We came out on the other side, though. :) Every baby -- whether breast or bottle fed -- goes through weird eating stages, it's totally normal.
I would find a good LC again or go to the LLL. Is he having at least 6 wet diapers a day? Is he growing? If so, he's getting enough. Many moms worry that the baby isn't getting enough, but as long as they're having wet diapers, growing (doesn't have to be growing fast, all babies have their own pace) and not screaming in hunger when you are dry (you're never really dry, but a hungry baby will often be too frustrated with the very slow production of empty breasts that they will not suck), they are fine. Even if he needed more, as in the event of a growth spurt, this is normal. Just put the baby back on the breast a little while later. The way to increase production is to nurse frequently for short periods of time, and to use supplements if necessary.
I would definitely see a lactation consultant again if you think he is still having problems latching properly. Related to the issue you are having it could be that he can't get enough, but after he is done you could try pumping a little to see if you are empty or not. If you think it is a supply issue try cluster feeding for a few days or pumping on one side while he nurses on the other to get your supply up.
My son also wanted to nurse a lot in the evenings when he would hit that fussy period. Unfortunately he didn't want to eat, he just wanted to suck. That's not that big of a deal, but if your son just wants to suck and not eat he may be irritated that milk is coming out. I had a friend with oversupply issues and she had this problem with her son. If that is the problem you could pump a little first so that the let down is not too strong and you can build up some freezer stocks.
When my son does that, I change his position, this seems to help. I normally use the cradle position and then switch to football.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Try a different Lactation Consultant...she SHOULD have helped you get a better latch - tongue tied or small mouth...ANY child should be able to latch on...it makes me mad when an LC will be so lax about this - it is HER JOB TO HELP YOU!!
He MAY be getting too much air and needs to be burped mid-nursing because he doesn't have a strong/tight latch.
Watch your diet - things you eat - broccoli, cauliflower, cheese can make him gassy...
I would try pumping to see if this still happens with a bottle - if it doesn't - then, in my experience, it means he doesn't have a good latch on the breast and is getting too much air...
Please go to ANOTHER lactation consultant!! :)
Congrats again!!!
Go to the breastfeeding support group at the Dolan Center in Greenlawn (right on Pulaski Road) if you live in the area. Otherwise check to see if there is a similar support group at your nearest hospital. It'll be the best thing you ever did. It is run by a lactation consultant and has a group of women going through similar issues. They meet on Wednesdays at 1:30. I see you live in Corona (I used to work there). It's a bit far for you (probably 40 minutes or so), but may be worth your while if you find nothing closer.
Supplement, or switch if necessary, to a bottle. Many formulas nowadays are adequate substitutes to breast milk... and he's gotten almost 2 months of the important antibodies, etc. that your milk offered. I'm betting you'll see a happier and fuller baby almost immediately. I had literally the same scenario as you.
