Fussy Breastfeeder

Updated on May 25, 2010
K.R. asks from Durant, OK
12 answers

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?

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J.T.

answers from College Station on

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!

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A.S.

answers from Houston on

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
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J.L.

answers from Austin on

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
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R.L.

answers from Houston on

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...

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S.A.

answers from Los Angeles on

It sounds like she really is hungry which is why you can get her to take a little more each time you take it away, but are you sure your giving her enough. you may think there is enough for her but if it's to much work for her or your really not suppling her with enough that could be part of her frustration. You could try pumping and giving her a bottle, if this keeps up, one time and see how she eats. How long has this been going on? Sometimes the things you eat change the way you milk taste, maybe she wants to eat but somethings isn't right for her. Is that the only time she seems fussy, just when you feed. Maybe she has something wrong with her tummy, gas or something. My friends baby had acid reflux and everytime she tried to feed him he would want to eat cause he was hungry but would only get a little in and then start to cry and push away, a few minutes later he would want more...it was just it hurt him to eat. She could also be waking to feed not just because she growing but because she is not getting enough during the day to keep her full like before. I hope you figure it out soon. Good luck.

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C.M.

answers from Houston on

hi,

my second son is 5 months old and when he does this it is because he has somehow swallowed air while breast feeding. I burp him and then start him allover about 15 minutes later. I know when I start to eat different foods he sometimes does this because hedoes notlike the taste. I eat ALOt... 3 pouches of oatmeal a day to make more milk.

When my first son was about 3 months old, he started doind the same thing and I tried bottles and it made no difference. So I went back to breast feeding him and we got through.

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S.D.

answers from Austin on

I second contacting the La Leche League. These women are very helpful and a good network. No need to go to a meeting unless you want to, just ask the LLL leader for advice.

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K.D.

answers from Houston on

Have you eaten or drunk anything new recently? If so, that might be it, as it could affect the taste of your milk. Also, it you think that you are making more milk, then it could be that your milk is coming out too fast for her to drink and she is choking on it or if you are engorged, it could be that she is having a hard time latching on. You might try expressing some milk from each breast and then feeding her and see if that helps. Please don't give up nursing your daughter, you are giving her the best nutrition possible. You should have a La Leche League in your area...check the web and contact them. LLL also has a wonderful book that I used all the time when I was a nursing mom....I think the title is The Womanly Art of Breasfeeding..but I am not certain. Google it and I am sure that it will come up.You can also ask your pedi for a referral for a lactation consultant and she will be able to help you feed your baby without the fussing! I hope this info helps you. You are doing a great job nursing your baby and providing her the best possible nutrition!
Blessings to you and yours,
K.

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L.Y.

answers from Wausau on

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.

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

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F.F.

answers from San Antonio on

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

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J.J.

answers from Austin on

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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