baby writhing around when breast feeding

[emmdol]

Hello

My four and a half month old often writhes around when breast feeding, legs go stiff. She moves her head around, craning it as if to see behind her.

And she doesn't feed for very long (10 minutes each breast max). I am worried that she is not getting enough milk/my milk flow has diminished. (when I hand express when she has come off there is still milk there so I don't think it has run out)

Sometimes I think it might be wind so I wind her.

If she is calmly tired she doesn't do it so much.

Do you know why it might be and what I can do to make our feeding more calm and efficient?

Thank you

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Have you tried feeding in a dark room? That was the age I started feeding in the bedroom while they were still drowsy from their nap, in the dark. The just get so nosey and curious! 10 min at each breast is fine though, they get more efficient as they get older. My oldest was a short feeder right from birth.

[*Ali*]

10 mins per breast is much longer than mine were feeding at this age.


This is definitely the prime age of distraction.

[jessmum46]

Totally agree, also just to add we get more of that type of behaviour if I try to feed DS when he isn't *really* hungry.  If he's properly hungry he will eat whatever is happening!

[C&B&E]

Craning their necks and writhing around can also be a sign of reflux  , but you would probably see other signs of discomfort as well.  Does your lo often have wet sounding hiccups or pain discomfort while asleep? 

But otherwise, it is hopefully just age as the other ladies said

[emmdol]

Sorry I haven't been on the forum for a while but I am very grateful for all your replies.

Yes I don't think it's reflux because the other symptoms don't seem to be there.

The other things you mention make sense and it's very reassuring re the 10 minutes...

I think you are right as well re if they are not really hungry - you can tell when they are really chugging!

Many thanks again!

Emma

[*Ali*]

Thanks for the update. I'm sure things will continue to improve