Crying While nursing...what Could Be Going Wrong?

I really wish I knew what to say to help.... just do not give up! Possibly speak to a lactation consultant at the hospital you delivered her or ask her pediatrician to recommend one.

My guess is that you are stressed now every time when it is time to feed her. First because of the reflux and now because of how she is acting. You are probably a bundle of nerves wondering what she is going to do and if she is going to latch or not. RELAX!!!! :)

I know when my daughter was in the NICU (she was a preemie) there was one nurse who would not leave while I was nursing... started yelling at me "come on, just let me give her a bottle, you are starving her" and I was getting all stressed out. She ended up crying anytime I would try to put her on unless I was completely relaxed. After speaking with the lactation consultant she explained that they can sense how I am feeling. I finally told the nurse off and also made them take out her NG tube and then I had no problems after that!

Make sure though that if you do end up giving in to give her a bottle that you pump so you do not end up having supply issues.

The best of luck to you... just do not give up completely, you are doing the best thing in the world by breastfeeding- in my opinion! Many blessings to you and yours!

Hi Jessica,

My heart sinks for you - I know that feeling! My first was a breeze and my second was much more challenging. There is a great lactation consultant on here (I think her name is Patricia) who usually responds to nursing stuff. Here's my advice.

1) Call your doc/hospital and get the number for a lactation consultant.

2) It is much easier for her to get milk from a bottle than from you. Maybe pump (Unitil you feel your milk it about to express or right when you see some) before you feed her just to get your milk flowing and see if that helps? She might be getting frustrated and working herself up so she's not latching properly - a vicious circle.

3)Drink lots of water. Is it possible you are not hydrated enough? It will slow down your milk production.

4) Could it be her ears or teeth? If her ears are bothering her and she has to work harder to get milk from the breast that could be upsetting her. Same thing for teeth (early, but you never know!)

5) Relax as best you can with another child running around in the house! They know when you're stressed!

You CAN get through this with her. In the meantime make sure you pump regualrly so your milk doesn't slow. Good luck!

Have you ruled out the possibility of an ear infection?? Consider taking her to your pediatrician and explain what's going on and the sudden onset of this. It would be easier to suck down a bottle than to nurse, and the extra sucking of nursing may be causing her pain. When I was nursing my twins, my son (who also had prior reflux issues) suddenly was screaming shortly into most nursing sessions, too. He was about 3-4 months old, and I was so concerned that it was me or that he was going to want just the bottle suddenly. He would carry on for hours sometimes, and I didn't know what to think. His twin sister was fine, so I ruled out the possibility of it being my actual supply and I hadn't changed anything in my own diet either. I ended up taking him to the pediatrician after talking to a lactation consultant and it turned out that he did have an ear infection. Other than the fact that they found one, I wouldn't have known or even guessed it! He had no fever, no cold virus to preceed it, nothing. Plus he was so young and nursing and I just never in a million years would've suspected that he had an ear infection! Within 24 hours of medication, he was back to nursing perfectly, and I nursed them both for 12 months. Of course, I can't say this is the case with your daughter, but it may be worth a trip to the doctor just to get a thorough once-over! Good luck!

Hi Jessica- I nursed all 4 of my kids past a year and here are some thoughts-

I know this sounds silly but could it be smell related. With my newborn I once put deodarent (sp?) on soon before nursing and she freaked out. I washed under my arms and she was fine. I did choose to not use perfume and be aware of when I put on my deodarent with my kids and never had the problem again.

Another thought is are you making too much milk or is it coming out too fast. I had so much milk that I would lay down in the bed with my little one on top so they had more control over the sucking and swallowing versus the choking amount of milk they got.

Just some ideas
Beth
PS I also heard that some babies that go back and forth betwwn bottle and boob like the bottle more because it is easier to suck. You may want to committ to just nursing for a few days and see what happens (She is also probably learning that sometimes when she cries she gets a bottle which would reinforce the crying)

I agree with the possibility of an ear infection. Definitely worth a call to the pediatrician to check it out; they may want to check her weight too. It could possibly be an issue with your milk not "letting down" quickly enough for her. Maybe try manually expressing just a minute or two before she latches on to get to the "let down" stage faster. She should also be a full 3 hours between feedings at this point, if not closer to 4 (of course if she's only drinking for a minute or two she probably won't be able to go very long).

Hi Jessica, sorry this is happening! I read your post and your situation sounds exactly like what I went through when my son was 5 months old. Same thing - would nurse for a few seconds, then cry and scream. Which would make me cry! I was also convinced it was either a supply issue or a nursing strike. When I called my lactation consultant (which I strongly advise you to do) she assured me that it's extremely rare for a 5 month old to suddenly decide to quit nursing & I'm sure the same can be said for a 3 month old. She observed while I tried to nurse my son that afternoon and the conclusion was that he just wasn't all that hungry. The crying was because he just didn't need to eat at that moment & also because he was sensing my stress during those feedings. She said when that happens, just go walk around for a bit or do something to somehow change baby's focus for a while, then try again when everybody is more relaxed & he was more hungry. She also said to pump like crazy for a few days though because it doesn't take long for your supply to drop and that it can be tough to get it back up once it starts to drop. Your body will then re-adjust your supply back to how much your daughter needs once you guys find "your groove" again. :) And you will! I was so sad thinking my son was pushing me away at 5 months - but the struggle only lasted a few days or so and then I was able to nurse him for another nearly 5 months. Good luck & hang in there! These second babies like to give M. a run for the money!

Hi Jessica,

I had this whole response typed up and then my browser experienced a hiccup and it was gone.

basically, what you are describing is classic reflux symptoms. I would revisit the possibility that this is still a problem for your little girl, especially since it's been a problem before. You dont say if she was medicated or is still medicated. If she is still medicated they may need to readjust her dose if she's gained weight since it was prescribed. my sons Rx had to be adjusted 3 or 4 times.

Good luck. it has to hurt being the victim of nipple pulling..eek!

It's important to do what you can to remain calm. Not only can they pick up your energy but when you are tense or fearful it affects your lactation process. Practice deep breathing. Take in a nice gentle full breath, hold a moment & slowly exhale as you allow your body to let go of any tension. This involves expanding your diaphragm rather than any shoulder movement. Do this 3-6 times as you imagine a ripple of relaxation moving down from the top of your head all the way down to the bottom of your feet.Controlled deep breathing is the key to relaxation. Remember you have already been successful nursing before & you can do it again!

Do you think she is mad because your "let down" isn't happening as quickly as she would like? I thought of this since she seems happy with a bottle which produces instant milk. Maybe try relaxing, thinking of your milk coming down, and maybe nipple stimulation before you offer her the breast and see if your let down occurs sooner. Just a thought...but if nothing you have read works I would hit up a LC soon. Good luck!!!!!

Jessica,

I have experienced this on two separate occassions - once at six months and then again at ten months. I visited a lactation consultant and everything. For me it turned out to be an issue of taste variations. When I get my period - which has only been twice in the eleven months since Nolan was born - he is fussy at the breast just like you described. Both times it has worked itself out within a few days. I was told that hormonal changes within your body, such as getting your cycle back or getting pregnant do effect the taste and quantity of breast milk which in turn can produce fussiness in some infants.

Hope this helps,
A.

I just went through this exact thing with my 6 month old son. He would latch and then unlatch, pull on my nipple, and scream. He was hungry... cause my supply went so low. I tried to pump, and got a few drops. I visited a LC right away, and she got me a prescription for Reglan. I have been taking that for a few days, as well as Mothers Milk tincture 4 times/day, eating oatmeal, drinking water, eating almonds, pumping after feedings and trying to rest. Needless to say, all those methods have worked "TOO" well, and now I am engorged. I would rather have too much than not enough. My son is happy as a clam now and nursing like crazy. He was so mad at me when I didn't have a let down or milk, that he started rejecting me all together. So I had to spend some time relaxing with him, and did skin to skin contact. I am dedicated to nursing him until he is 1 just like my daughter, so I hope this small road block is now cured!!

My supply was low that was causing my baby to scream every time he nurse. To increase my lactation, I started drinking Healthy nursing tea which helped a lot and now the baby won't fuss while bfing.