12 answers

Fussy Breastfeeder

My 3 month old used to be a very relaxed eater. she would feed calmly till she fell asleep.
But now she feeds for just a few minutes and then throws a fit. if i take the breast away she will eat again for a few seconds then throw a fit. Then i will switch breast and she will eat a few minutes then throw a fit again. what is going on?
I think she is going through a bit of a growth spert, because she was preaty much sleeping through the night and now she wakes to feed 2 or three times again.
I feel like my supply is building to feed her through this spert, but why is she getting so fussy when she is feeding? my husband even brought up moving her to a bottel instead! I said no. she is too young.
Any ideas? TIps?

What can I do next?

Featured Answers

It could be anything from something you ate to the hind milk not getting to her fast enough. Stick it out, it shouldn't last long!

More Answers

Another possibility is that your let down reflex has gotten so strong, coupled with her being so efficient, that she feels like she is drowning at first. Some moms have luck expressing a little milk before starting to feed so that it doesn't come in such a rush. Just a thought. LLL or a lactation consultant might be able to help.

1 mom found this helpful

Check her mouth for white spots. She could have "Thrush" If she does have the white spots, then you need to call the doctor for both of you to be treated. It makes it painful for the baby to suck. Its easy to see in the mouth. Here is a bit of info. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tc/thrush-symptoms

Hope that helps!

1 mom found this helpful

This used to happen with my son, and it was because my milk was coming out way to fast at first and he couldn't keep up. To remedy that the lactation consultant suggested that I pump 1 oz (or so) to relieve that rush of milk then my son was able to nurse as normal. You can freeze the milk and use it when baby starts eating cereal. If frozen it will keep for up to 3 months, so no need to waste what you pump. I found the best pump was the Avent Isis hand pump.

http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/pregna...

It could be something that you are eating that bothers her, K.. Start making a little diary of your food, and then eliminate a couple of things. Maybe if you can tell when she is and isn't fussy, you can pin it down to a food you are eating. Try looking at websites like this:
http://www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/food-sensitivity.html

Good luck!
D.

When you say your little one throws a fit...what is she doing? Is she pulling away and looking around? Is she screaming?

Now that she's three months she is quite away of what is going on around her. I nursed both of my kids exclusively for 6 months then introduced but still nursed to 2 yrs. (By 16 months nursing only at nap/bedtimes). It's not unusual for the baby to get a bit distracted by what is going on around them. I remember both kids pulling away, needing to look around then nursing again and doing the same. When you're at home try sitting in the same spot or try putting on interesting necklace that she can play with while nursing.
It's also very normal for her to be waking up 2 or 3 times a night to nurse. YES, you are producing enough milk for her if you are exclusively breastfeeding. You body knows how to regulate your milk supply due to demand by the baby.
I never had a problem with foods that I ate affecting the baby and one of my friends used to eat very spicy food (her native dishes) and her children were fine. Each baby is different though.
Have you read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding from Le Leche League? There is alot of good info in it. You can also look on the motherwear.com website (it's a nursing clothing store).
You are doing a great job with nursing. Remember, Your body knows what it's doing. Good luck.

It could be anything from something you ate to the hind milk not getting to her fast enough. Stick it out, it shouldn't last long!

Any chance she has an ear infection? If things don't improve soon, I'd recommend getting her checked out.

Teething - sucking hurts the gums. Feel in her mouth ad if her gums feel puffy or iflamed that might be your culprit. Mine were all early teethers and did the same thing around 3 months.

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