Crying in the middle of the feed and refusing to continue

[wiolqn]

This question was probably already answered but as the search option doesn't work and I didn't find the answer on the first 15 pages I've decided to ask anyway.

My LO is 11 weeks old, he was born at 34w. It took as 4 weeks to establish breastfeeding. He still gets a bottle of EBM at 11pm. He was never a fussy eater, he would latch on and suck for 20 minutes straight. But since two weeks he's pulling off after 6 mins and starting to cry and kick. I wind him, calm him down but as soon as I touch his lips with my nipple he would cry again. Sometimes the hair dryer helps to distract him and he would finish his feed, or when he's sleeping. He has no problem with the bottle though. He's more grumpy and fussy, doesn't want to play, cry more.

He has no problem with lying flat, no wet burps. He is quiet windy and often cry with bowel movement.

I don't know what to do as I don't want him to choose bottle. It took as so long to drop it. any ideas what I could do?

[Shiv52]

Babies can become much more efficient feeders as they grow. If you're him finish the feed after 6 minutes how long will be last for before  next looking for a feed?

Well done on the hard work to get BFing established xxx

[ZacsMumme]

We had this around 12 weeks and when I talked to my Plunket nurse she mentioned a lot of people give up BF around this point as they think their supply is dropping. But it is common and normal and usually comes right Often due to a GS or as Shiv says they just get more efficient! They also get more nosey and want to do other things

Well done on the hard work to get BFing established xxx

^^ This too

[Claudiamummy]

we also went through this...and no one could give me an explanation
It went on for a while (maybe about 5-6 weeks) and I was getting more and more upset, BUT it DID get better

Then one day, I realised it wasnt happening anymore....DD is now nine months and after swearing I would do "just one more day", we now have an amazing BF relationship, and I cant see us ending it for a while yet. I want to extend our nursing, and I think our little "bump" on the journey, made me appreciate it more

not sure where you are located if any of these will help, but things that helped me were

a very suppportive HV....
Calling the breastfeeding support line (they didnt know either but it was good to talk and get the "cheer" that I needed)
thinking, I will make a decision tomorrow...just one more day (this way, I didnt feel under pressure)
I got DD weighed to see she was gaining weight (but not too often as BF babies dont gain the same way as FF)

you have done FANTASTIC to have BF established, hang in there we are all sending vibes and support

[Shiv52]

thinking, I will make a decision tomorrow...just one more day (this way, I didnt feel under pressure)

I always did this when things were tough and always had in my mind to make a decision about BFing on a good day not a bad day. 

[ZacsMumme]

Sme here hang in there.

[wiolqn]

Thank you for your replies.

It lasted 3-4 weeks but it got better eventually. He wasn't gaining much weight so I had to top him up with EBM. And because he didn't nurse as much as he should have, my milk supply got really low. I went back to expressing to increase it.

My hv was useless. For her everything is normal: green poo- normal, red eye - normal, etc. I went to see BF consultant, she shoved me a clip about natural BF position with baby lying on me and nursing. It's good for newborns but not for mine.
I just persevered and one day he didn't fuss that much, the next one even less.

He still fusses, at least one feed a day, but I don't give up.

[Erin M]

Well done to persevere like that!

[Fiver]

Good for you to keep on going

[ZacsMumme]

Wow good for you Hun