Hi there!
My 3 month od daughter seems to be struggling when she nurses. She will start and then grunts and kicks and pulls away. She'll cry a little but then want to continue nursing. She is always gassy and i always give her the gas relief drops. Does anyone have any idea what could be happening?
Thanks!
I also wondered about reflux. My baby was having similar symptoms when she was first born, and the doctor prescribed meds for reflux. We decided not to give them to her and to try some other things first- she's gotten better on her own, but as I was researching reflux in babies, it seems to be quite common. Good luck!
ears? early early teeth?
I am wondering if you have a forceful letdown. This could cause gas issues and would explain why she would pull off and sputter and then want to get back on. What you can try to do is right after letdown, unlatch her and spray into a burp rag or towel. Then, relatch her after you stop spraying. She may be gassy from gulping during the initial letdown. This will get easier as she gets bigger.
Are you watching what you are eating...no chocolate, garlic, onions, broccoli or things that could be upsetting her stomach? Are you relaxed when you nurse her? Was she easy to nurse at first and this is a new habit or was she fussy and had a hard time latching on from the beginning? These are questions you need to answer and I would get in touch with a professional (through dr. or other posts) if you really want to continue to nurse. Don't feel rejected - just talk to someone about this and see if it's something that can be corrected. Good luck.
L., same issue w/my almost 3 month old.
a few things... I realized sometimes when she's crying she isn't hungry, she's tired and irritable or so tired she won't eat... and if i get her to sleep and calm she'll eat. other thing i found that really works for my girl is laying down when she's fussy like that. and try to hold her flalling (sp?) arms. she doesn't realize she's kicking and stuff i don't think. for me it isn't not enough or too much milk and no allergies. sometimes she has to burp too. just ideas. laying down works the best : ) (on my side)
Do you watch what you eat closely?
Are you nervous when you nurse her?
Both foods you eat and if you are nervous can cause gas. Many foods cause gas. Make sure you to avoid these. Here is a website.
http://www.babycenter.com/404_are-there-any-foods-i-shoul...
I had to stop nursing at 4 months because the doctor finally said it was my nerves that was causing gas. I never understood because I did not feel nervous but a few years ago I was diagnosed with anxiety and now take medication. It was probably there years ago but not to the extent it is now.
Another thing you can do is rub her stomach or back while nursing. It may help her pass the gas easier.
Good Luck
L.;
call a lactation consultant to see you and help sort it out. without watching and taking a full history there is no way to know what is going on.
P., RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions
Have you talked about reflux with your ped?
You might have a pretty forceful letdown so she pulls off b/c the milk is coming out so fast. Not much to do about that - she'll get used to it. As for the gassiness, ALL babies are pretty gassy. You can make sure she gets more hindmilk - which is fattier instead of sugarier - by "block nursing". To do this nurse her off only the left side for ~4 hour period, then only the right side for the next ~4 hrs, etc. Or do 2 feedings in a row off each breast.
