DS has always been a good feeder, apart from the early days when he struggled to stay attached with my fast let down. however, the past few days some feeds he's getting extremly fussy - either pulling off, moving his head back and forth heaps, or pulling off within a minute of starting the feed and he starts screaming - i then have to hand express a little and sort of hold it in his mouth for a little bit until he fianlly attaches and feeds properly.
Some feeds I know he pulls off because of the fast let down choking him, as when he pulls off, I have a squirter! But other times, when he pulls off, this doesn't happen.
Any ideas what the matter might be and tips for dealing with it?
It's the age - he's probably becoming more aware of his surroundings. Fussiness at the breast is very common (and annoying!).
DS was the same - very fussy, pulling off and complaining, and also feeding much much quicker all of a sudden (20-30 minutes one day, then down to 2 max).
The best thing you can do is relax and don't force it. I worried and tried to get him to feed more and we ended up dealing with breast refusal. Trust that he will get the milk he needs, even if his feeding patters are radically different.
Does he feed better at night by any chance?
Sometimes they go through a stage where they hardly feed during the day, but feel well at night. Sometimes you can help by recreating a nighttime environment during the day for feeds.
This makes feeding when out and about all but impossible, but your boy may well be too busy looking aroudn to feed then anyway
Try a darkened, quiet room for feeds. Try lying down if you do that at night. Some people also find putting a wrap over baby's head while feeding helps - That worked for a little while with DS, but then he just figured out how to pull it off.
Remember you can always call the ABA for ideas too. Good luck - Hope it doesn't last long
Thanks Marcellus! He's always been a quick feeder, so don't know if he can get any quicker. I forgot about them getting more aware and hence, easier to distract (the 1st few months with DD are a blur!), and thinknig about it, his feed earlier when he was really fighting it, I went and sat in DD's room while I got her to lie down for her sleep and he did settle down and feed. Its hard though to do that when DD is awake as she'd just follow me anyway! May have to try the wrap.
Do you think just stopping a feed if he is really fighting it and trying again later would be a good idea?
Yes, if he's fighting it just stop. He may also be wanting to control things more himself, so let him set the pace for a bit and see if that helps. (and he might ask for it and then change his mind )
It is a blur isn't it? I'm trying hard to remember stuff - I just remember this as it was a very stressful time for us.
It's definitely an age thing. A lot of babies sleep goes backwards or they start getting fussy when feeding when they hit 4 months of age. My DS1 started doing exactly what you described when he was 4 months of age. From what I've read, the best thing you can do is relax. Your bub will be fine (as frustrating it is for you!) and will be back to feeding well soon
4mth old being fussy
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