My Baby Cries When I Try to Breastfeed

I would call La Leche League you can get free advice over the phone:
http://www.lalecheleague.org you can look up a local phone # from there.

Sometimes they fuss because they are teething, it is a little young but it could happen. Or an earache or tummy ache etc. Definitely do not stop nursing just because of that, it is probably something she will work through one way or another and the advantages of getting mommy milk are worth figuring it out and sticking with it! Get help from LLL, they will know what to do!

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Oh, please don't give up! My baby did that too, but it passes, and I nursed him for over a year. It is so worth it. I just wanted to give you encouragement to keep trying. Sometimes if my supply was low, he would cry. You might want to try fenugreek capsules. It really helped increase my supply within a couple of days. Also, let her switch back and forth side to side - it signals the body to increase production. I know this is a little late. I hope you worked it out - good luck!

Hi K.,

Many babies fuss at the breast to show that they need to eliminate. Just take off the diaper and hold your girl over a sink, a bowl, a toilet - any kind of receptacle. If this is the case (as it was with my son at that age), she would relief herself and be back to nursing happily.

There are may be other reasons, like early teething, different positioning at the breast, or food sensitivities. please contact your local La Leche League for help and support. Don't give up, you are doing the best possible thing for your daughter!

Warmly,

I.

My son did the same thing when he was 4 months old, I think it was early teething. I would stop, then try again every hour or so. This lasted for about a week, but it did pass finally, and he went back to breastfeeding as usual.

Have you tried pumping and giving your milk from the bottle to see if she still fusses? My baby would fuss too from the beggining, so I finally started pumping and giving it from the bottle. I just feel less stressed out this way and my baby seems to be happier too. He is 3 months now and I still pump every four hours or so.

I didn't really have that problem with my son when I would nurse him. Have you tried layin a pillow on your lap and nurse her that way?? That worked with my son cause then he would be able to nurse and be able to look at me. Also from what the other mom's say talk to your doctor and go up on the http://www.lalecheleague.org. Hopefully you will be able to keep on nursing your daughter till you both feel like it is time to stop.

hi marla, there are many things you can try. but i also highly recommend finding a la leche league in your area because the ladies giving the meetings are trained professionals in the art of breatfeeding. do you want to nurse??? is the baby hungry when you try to nurse??? it could be a matter of positioning. it could be a matter of an upset belly. what foods are you eatting??? is the little ones nose kept open so it can breathe??? the only support i can offer is to visit a locally trained nursing specialist through la lech league, healthy start or your medical facility. keep trying!!!!

Dear K.,

I am sure that there are a lot of mommies that will have great advice for you. I don't know anything about breast feeding.

You can also go online to www.drgreene.com and to About.com and look for pediatrics. I have looked at both of these sites and they are good.

Good Luck, C. N.

K.,

I had the same problem with my son @ the same age. I was able to get him to nurse in the morning and at night for a couple of week longer by lying on my side to nurse him. In the end though I did end up having to stop. He is now 4 months and while I miss the bonding time it is better off because he would arch his back and cry everytime i tried to feed him so we weren't bonding anyways.

Hello, my name is T.. I am a mother of two, Abigail is 6 and Jason is 3. I breastfeed my daughter until she was 25 months old and my son until he was 21 months old. I know when I ate spicy foods they did not care to much for the breast milk. It might be something that is in your diet. I would write down everything you eat and take a look at it! Maybe try to cut some stuff out of your diet and see if there are any changes. Also make sure you are drinking lots af water and or fluids. I hope this helps.

She might be beginning to teethe. Please, please don't give up!

Have you tried different positions? Your baby cries because she is hungry. Also try placing a warm wash cloth on your breast prior to feeding. It helps your breast milk become more "free flowing". If you just want to stop than it's just a matter of finding a formula that your baby likes. The first couple of weeks are the most important to babies health...giving her immune system a boost. Also ask your peditrician about breast feeding. Your doctor is probably pretty savvy when it comes to these issues. I am sure you are not alone, and is more common than you think.
Hope it gets better!
N.

Baby's will cry and fuss if you have spicy food sometimes, they may also if they are teething or have an ear infection. Also, when a baby goes through a growth spurt it may take a little while for your milk supply to catch up.

The most important thing about breast feeding is that if the demand is low, then the supply will dwindle. The more you suppliment the less milk you will produce. Also, pumping does not replace baby's demand on the milk supply. To even come close you would have to have a really nice pump, like a Medela pump. The little ones you find in Target are not the quality needed for full time working breastfeeding Mom's. They can range from $200 on up...

If it is a supply issue making your baby fussy contact your local La Leche League for support. Good luck!

my son would do that when I ate really spicy food. Maybe you are eating something he doesn't like. Don't stop he will settle down I am sure. If you are supplementing with bottles he may like the fast flow of the bottle better. Cut back on bottles if that is the case. If not just keep an eye on him and make sure he still gaining weight. Also try holding him in a new position. My son's only liked the football hold on the right and the cradel hold on the left.