Some advice on what to do - Continue to breastfeed?

[SammyRo]

hope things are getting better for you. The only advice I've got is to maybe once she's had both sides and she's still fussing for more, just put her back to the first side. I did this often with DD, especially around those fussy times and she would often have both sides twice. Also, try a good sling during the day to see if that helps settle bub. DS has trouble bringing up his wind, and I find if I lie hime down, he wakes up about 15-30mins later in pain because of the wind, so when he's asleep or settling down for a sleep, I'll pop him in the sling (i have a hug a bub, which holds him upright), he may have a bit of a windy cry for a few minutes, but then will generally do a big burp (and normally chucks up straight down my cleaveage and then all of a sudden, he's asleep and has a much better sleep in that than in the pram/bassinet etc.

[Jennie13]

hello thanks everyone for replying with your advice. Freya is starting to improve i think from the Losec, but the breastfeeding is still posing a problem. SammRo - she fusses because she wont stay on (as soon as the flow slows) she pulls off and starts crying, eventuallt screaming coz shes hungry but wont go back on. I dont want to force her. I do offer each side a few times but she wont have a bar off it once she knows its not going to come out fast, I just dont know how to get her to stay long enough not to need a top up.

[~Saram~]

Hi Jennie. Good on you for sticking with it and good to hear the medication is starting to work. Have you had a chance to ring the ABA - it is a free service and they have great counsellors 24 hrs a day - great just to have a chat to tey are all mums who have been there and know how you feel.

A couple of things I know helped me:

Firstly if breastfeeding is what you want to do and it was all going well before recently than ditch the bottles completely

RELAX! Especially when bub is fussing at the breast, relax - bub can sense your tension and frustration too. Try deep breathing, visualisations anything to help you destress and keep the letdown going

When she starts to fuss take her off the boob and walk and pat, sing whatever calms you both down. Maybe jump in the bath together and try breastfeeding in there. When she is settled or if you think she might try again then offer the other side with the faster flow

Has she got any white spots on her tongue or in her mouth - could she have thrush in her mouth - I know my DD would go through stages of pulling on and off when she had thrush.

Drink lots of water and ditto on what the other person said about caffine.

Have you tried a chiropractor that specialises in babies. Made a massive different with my DD! Both with sleeping and feeding

Also it's good to keep in mind that just because a bub takes a bottle doesn't mean that they are still hungry. I read a great article the other day about the reasons bubs seem to settle after a bottle feed but I can't for the life of me remember the details... anyone else read it????

Be patient and hang in there. six months from now you will look back at this slice of time and be so proud of yourself for hanging in there and everytime you can quickly and easily feed your baby - night or day whereever you are without needing to worry about bottles you will be so pleased you hung in there.

You are an awesome mum and keep telling yourself you are doing a good job and my favourite line - "this too will pass" it was my mantra for the the first few months of my babies lives and still comes in very handy today :-)