Breast Refusal

[Willow]

Well the title pretty much says it all. DS (nearly 4 months) has over the last few days started refusing feeds.

It's escalated to the point that he didn't feed overnight at all after midnight. This is unheard of for him, he usually feeds 3-4 hourly overnight, he had one feed at midnight and that's it. He woke throughout the night 3-4 hourly but when I tried to feed him he would scream and refuse to latch on.

At times he will latch on and then scream and come off again without sucking.

I've tried sitting him up more, laying down in bed with him, tried feeding in every room in the house, every position I could think of and it's not making any difference.

I changed his nappy this morning and it was wet, but I did change one yesterday that he'd had on for a few hours (we had to take him to the hospital for some scans on his head, so didn't get a chance to change him till we got home) and it was bone dry.

He doesn't seem to be unwell, seems happy apart from when I try to feed him. I have no idea what's happened, our feeding was going so well

How long can this go on before I need to be really concerned?? Do I express and give him a bottle or will that only make things worse?

**ETA: Just managed to get him to take one side, but he wouldn't take the other when I offered it. I am quite full after not feeding for so long, so he probably got quite a bit but I'm expecting this will continue today as it has over the last few days.

[Spring Angel]

Willow my DS did the same thing. I had a thread about it, I think it was called 'fussy all of a sudden, help'. He would put on such a fuss, I would persist and persist and end up totally frustrated.

I think it was Barb who said that they are big boys now and know where the milk comes from so when he wants it, I'm sure he will let you know.

I know it is a horrible feeling, I felt crushed, but the good news was it passed and before long he was back to being a guts.

HTH
Spring

[Willow]

Thanks Spring. I just feel so defeated at the moment, like I can't do anything right for him. If it's not sleeping, it's feeding YWIM?

I'll take him to see our CHN today, will see what she says. I'll have a look for your thread too.

[Olive]

willow he doenst have sores in his mouth or possible a sore throat???? sophie had a red throat once and refused the breadt, have you tried feeding in the bath?

[Willow]

Not that I've noticed AJP, he seems well.

The only other thing out of character is that it took us about 2 hours to get him to sleep last night. He had 2x 1.5 hour sleeps and one 2 hour sleep yesterday so I don't think it was because he was overtired. In the end I gave him a half dose of panadol and he slept for 4.5 hours, woke and had a feed but hasn't fed since.

DH and I have started wondering if he is teething because he is showing signs of it, drooling, chewing on his hands, our fingers/anything he can get in his mouth! But apart from that nothing out of the ordinary.

I can't really feed him in the bath because I have my DD to look after too, she's 3 and I doubt it would help DS having her splashing around in there with us! I could try that tonight when DH is home I guess.

[Willow]

Just had him weighed and he's only gained 50g in a week. That's a big drop for him, he has been gaining 300-200g a week since birth.

CHN said to keep an eye on him (OK....like I wouldn't?) and if it continues to take him to the drs. So not much help really...