What's going on? Crying at breast

[*Nicola*]

*sigh*

A couple of weeks ago AF returned and Callie was really fussy at the breast.  AF is now well and truly gone but she has started to fuss again today and yesterday. 

Today it was feeding time and she was lying on rug with her mouth wide open like she does when she is hungry, so I picked her up to feed her and as soon as I get her into position she screams and cries, arches her body away from me.  So I lift her up and she is happy.  Took her to nursery in the buggy and she spent the entire time with her mouth opening really wide and closing again.  Tried to feed her when we got back and she does the same crying again .  I know she is hungry, so I held her as she arched and cried and just rocked her a little and sh'd her and she moves her head back towards me and starts rooting.  Gets nipple in her mouth and she cries and moves away again. Sometimes she suckles and comes off, other times she just 'tastes' nipple   Goes on for about 3/4 times then she feeds fine. 

Bedtime feed, DF and night feeds are fine which made me think it might be a distractability issue but darkened rooms, tv off etc aren't helping.

Any ideas?  Do I smell?  Taste bad?   

TIA ladies 

[Tamara]

Any ideas?  Do I smell?  Taste bad?  

Oh don't tempt me!!!!!!!  Am being very restrained here   

I've no ideas tbh Nic - It sounds most odd.  Ioan's only like that when he's mid-feed and has trapped wind, but that can't be the problem here can it?

Little Miss Callie is being a puzzle

[em_here]

No ideas either, but some big hugs xxx

[*Nicola*]

Any ideas?  Do I smell?  Taste bad?   

Oh don't tempt me!!!!!!!  Am being very restrained here   

LOL trust you! 

Sometimes she does it if she has bum wind  but it doesn't last this long.  It seems that her issue is more with accepting the breast/starting the feed kwim.  Something 'wrong' with milk, breast etc. 

[*Nicola*]

Just thinking ... it's a good job she won't take bottles or she'd be on them for good 

Seriously, it's getting me down 

[Purplecattypants]

How old is she again Nicola? Could she perhaps be teething?

[*Nicola*]

Angela, she is either 13 or 14 weeks.  Can't remember exactly  LOL second child syndrome!

I did think about teething so I put on some bonjela and gave her some Calpol but still the same hours later.  No other signs of teething to be seen.

[Purplecattypants]

Hmmm, also a bit early for teeth, although those blighters do seem to pop up whenever they feel like it!

My lo did this before he went on a full-on nursing strike...just to reassure you 

Does she do it on both sides or just one in particular? What happens if you try her on the other breast?

I've had issues with oversupply that got really bad after a growth spurt, but looking back he often refused the right breast or just fussed a lot before going on as that one has always overproduced....

[*Nicola*]

My lo did this before he went on a full-on nursing strike...just to reassure you 

NOOOOOOOOOOOO 

Does she do it on both sides or just one in particular? What happens if you try her on the other breast?

Both sides.  If I try her on the other side she cries and makes loud, aggressive noises. She very rarely cries but does make loud noises almost like shouts if she's not happy and that's what she does. 

If I try to feed her and it is not feeding time (if she is grumbly or napped badly, for example) she will make these loud noises as soon as I move her into feeding position.  It is the same noises she is making now, plus the crying.  I have considered that she isn't so hungry at the 3 hour mark but I am sure she is still doing it if feeds are running over. 

I am going to pay more attention to things tomorrow, times, sides etc

 

[LLLena]

Hi,  I had a bit of the same issue with my ds at that age.  You mentioned AF, do you think you're still producing well?  I know ds was quite impatient and I believe someone told me that the taste can change a bit when AF is near.  I know you said she's come and gone, but maybe it's left a bit of an aversion (sp?) for the lo.   Maybe you could change up the feeding positions and location.  Have you tried laying down to feed?  I'm just throwing some stuff out there that maybe you've not considered. 

(((Hugs))) It's not the easiest thing to bf... you've done a fantastic job so far.

Lena

[Purplecattypants]

Not really sure, but maybe try feeding her in a different position....rugby ball perhaps, if you usually feed the conventional way. Perhaps even try feeding her upright IYKWIM, or lying down with her...I found that worked quite well and still does if my lo gets fussy.

I'm not saying it will happen, but it is very common for babies to go on strike around 3 months. Has she had her jabs recently btw?

Also do you think maybe you have oversupply...are you engorged on a regular basis/have very strong let-down. Does she "click" at the breast/explosive poos/lots of wind?

[*Nicola*]

Thanks heaps everyone 

I will try feeding in a different position tomorrow and see what happens.

She had her jabs 4 weeks ago, due next set next week.

Don't think I have oversupply.  Never engorged.  Let down is noticeable but not overly strong.  Was much stronger with DD1.  Sometimes she does click at the breast so I need to relatch her.  No explosive poos or excess wind.  She is going long between poo's now though, so maybe they are causing her discomfort but I don't think to that degree  And not only at feeds 

Thanks so much for all of your ideas.  So helpful 

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

She doesn't have reflux, does she?  With the crying, arching back....it can sometimes get worse around 3 months, what with teething and other stuff....

[*Nicola*]

No reflux that I know of Erin.  Will have a look at the reflux 101 now but nothing jumping out at me

[Purplecattypants]

How is it today Nicola?