For the last couple of days, Jack (2 weeks old) has been feeding for 5 mins then pulling off (arching his back & kicking his legs), he'll then reattach, but only for a couple of minutes at a time. As the feed continues, he gets more distressed & starts crying, which progresses to all out screaming. And I work at burping him every 3 to 5 mins, depending on how well he's feeding (and how much air I hear him gulp, which is usually related to hunger, or sleeping on the job). He also looks hungrier and hungrier.
I know it's not from lack of milk - the poor kids seems to get drowned sometimes! He's a very good sucker, and the attachment is usually good (unless he's super hungry, or falls asleep). I have large breasts (& flat nipples), and unless we feed twin-style, i do have to hold some breast out of the way so he can breathe (if there's any tips for that - I'll take 'em!). Generally, he attaches better twin-style, but appears to be more satisfied the other way.
I think it's gas pain, but I can't seem to get it all up. He starts sucking on his fists madly (when not at the breast), which I assume is to try to sooth himself. He's even cried himself to sleep, which is just breaking my heart. I try burping him in as many positions as I can think of, and they just seem stuck.
Thanks for reading & thanks in advance for any clarification on why he's doing it (and how I can help him).
Congratulations on the safe arrival of Jack hun The early weeks can be so confusing, can't they!!
What you are describing is reasonably common in the early weeks.It sounds like you have noticed that you have a lot of milk. Too much milk and / or fast flow is very common at first until your supply settles down to the right level. For many babies this leads to fussy feeding. In order to have a better idea of what is going on, it would be helpful to know about his wet and dirty nappies, his feeding pattern and his weight gain if you have had him weighed recently. This can give some clues to whether the problem is more fast flow or oversupply.
Sometimes it can help to express a little at each feed before attaching, so that the flow is a bit reduced. Many mums also find it helps to finish the first breast at each feed before changing sides, and if he is feeding frequently you might even find it helps to do two consecutive feeds from the same side. This might mean you need to express from the other side that you are not full and lumpy as you don't want mastitis!
At that age the clues are tricky. Sucking on the fist can be comfort, which would make sense if he has wind pain. It could also be hunger. The answers to some of the questions above would give some clues as to which it might be.
It is likely that this will settle down over the next few weeks as your supply settles. In the meantime, you might find that lots of warm baths (for Jack!) and carrying him in a sling a lot help you both get through this. Are you getting any rest?
I also had loads of milk and flat nipples and a very efficient feeder! I think the speed of your milk flow may be distressing him...so if there is loads of gulping then maybe it's fast. Expressing a bit when you first get that let down should help, so it doesn't shoot down his throat too much.
I also used block feeding to help which is feeding from the same breast in any two hour period before changing sides. It helps if you have lots of milk and a baby who likes to suck a lot... They can then use the breast for comfort without being drowned in milk. It also means they get the rich creamy hindmilk.
My bub and i had very similar issues not that long ago. Just want to let you know that it will get better! 9 weeks on bub is happy to feed and now only rarely has an upset tummy from feeding.
I used to express a little into a facewasher (to stop bub being shot in the head), did block feeding, changed position (so gravity wasn't adding to the excess flow), rubbing bub's tummy, alowing time for resting & burping. For me, i think it was a combo of things that have worked- you will work out what your bub needs too.
Thank you so much! All the posts are very helpful.
When he pulls off, usually he has a whole mouthful of milk spilling out (which actually looks very funny). As for his nappies - well, he's definitely not starving!! I haven't counted them, but there's usually a dirty one every feed, and a whole bunch of wet ones! He's gained his birthweight already, and outgrown his first onesie (a very emotional moment for me ).
I generally only feed him from one breast a feed, or will swap to the second one for a top up. I soaked through 3 cloth breast pads today... 'over supply' is a term I am becoming very familiar with.
So my plan is to express for a couple of minutes before each feed to try to calm the milk down before he gets drowned. I don't know how much milk I have sprayed around the loungeroom in the last few days, but I think we'll need the carpets cleaned within a month!
Thanks again. I'm feeling a little more relaxed. But it's still hard to cope with him screaming at me after he eats - I'm a fantastic cook, no one ever complains after I feed them!!
He's so wonderful in every other way. He sleeps really well, and I am really well rested. I just wish I could take some of that pain away for him.
entreat, it sounds like you're doing a wonderful job. He's only very new and his little tummy and digestive system is still adapting to being used the way it is. Your milk is perfect for him, but it doesn't mean just getting used to being here isn't taking some time.
MR's suggestion of a sling is a good one - I found my DD when she was tiny loved being wrapped close to me upright and would sleep beautifully. You will find this passes quickly enough, same as he's grown out of his onesie!
So I cut him off last night before the argument started ("give me more food, I'm starving", "ok", "OWW!! Why did you give me more food?? That hurts!!", "??") & he fed much better. His 3am feed was great too. A couple of little protests ("want more food... I think?"), and then he drifted off. This morning was a similar thing. He said he needed a top up after being awake for 2 hours, but then cried after 2 mins, so I cut him off & put him to bed - he's making me look good now.
I also put him in the sling this morning for the second time ever. He was awake, and lasted about 15 mins before he said he needed a nappy change. The first time we put him in, he screamed & screamed until he was out. Small steps...
Gas pain response?
Reply With QuoteThe early weeks can be so confusing, can't they!!
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