screaming and pulling off during a feed

bubs is 8 weeks on Wednesday

we've had issues with him choking and coughing and spluttering during a feed (and I have previously hand expressed before he latches on and done block feeding), but the last two days he's been crying a lot during a feed. Pretty much straight away he pulls off cries loudly, tries to latch on again, feeds for a few seconds, and then cries again and the process repeats. He also thrashes his legs and arms a bit too. Milk even came out of his nose on the last feed. Feeding looks really painful for him and it's making me upset, I don't know what to do or what the problem is.

He does spit up quite often after a feed, and I'm wondering whether this crying is from reflux or could it be the fast let down (but if so, why hasn't the screaming happened sooner than now??)

I'm worried he's not getting enough milk now because he's not feeding as long as he normally does, and I'm not trying to make him feed longer due to him crying so much and seemingly in pain.

My husband keeps saying give him formula, which just p*sses me off and upsets me more (makes me feel like by breastfeeding I'm the one to blame for making him cry and be in pain). I've said if it's a reflux issue then it doesn't matter whether it's breast or bottle. But should I relent? Or do I just keep trying to feed until we can get to a doctor tomorrow? I have even thought of going to the childrens hospital tonight.

I also wondered if it was something I ate, I had a heap of cheese on new years. but then I thought if that was the case, would this have gone on for two days now?

Hi there, I was only able to bf DD til 8 weeks so I'm sure there are people here to help with much more insight than I, but I couldn't read and not post to offer support.

The coughing and spluttering does sound like reflux - DD had silent reflux and it was very uncomfortable for her, and once she moved to ff and the silent reflux was diagnosed, we managed it with AR formula. I also have friends who had fully bf babies who had reflux which ended up being managed with medication, so don't feel pressured into giving up bf!!!

Is he still having wet and pooey nappies? If not, and you are concerned about his hydration, perhaps a call to the ABA, or Health Direct, could offer more support.

Good luck love.
xox

Oh hun I could have written this exact post about my little man. He is doing exactly the same things plus massive amounts of vomiting during and after a feed.

I've been doing some research and your logic that if it reflux there is no benefit in switching formulas if your bub is formula fed and no benefit in stopping b/f and starting bottle feeds. There is a good information sheet on the Royal Children Hospital website - definitely worth a read.

I'm so sorry that I that I have no suggestions because everything I'm doing isn't working either - hopefully someone will be able to come in and help us out.

We'll get there.

Sounds like silent reflux :(

See your paed/GP and ask for some help. I know there is a medication that really helps and once they start taking it they are like totally different babies!!

Keep up the BFing mama!! You're doing a great job!!

Maybe try burping Bubz when he starts fussing at the boob - see if that helps

sounds like reflux to me. The reason the screaming has started recently is because the damage has taken time to develop.

My DD1 did this because she had silent reflux as well as gut issues - she is gluten and dairy-protein intolerant. I did switch her to formula at 13 weeks and got a completely different baby and kicked myself I didn't do it earlier. Having said that, she had specific, severe issues so I wouldn't suggest switching your LO until you consult with a paed - especially if you have an appt tomorow. It could be that with some medication he is still able to breastfeed - especially if its "just" reflux. Liek Razzberry says, if its reflux it does take a while to build up. Its why it usually takes a while for reflux symptoms to show, rather than an immediate thing from birth. The good news is that often as your baby grows he will quickly grow out of it. Good luck - I hope the dr has some words of wisdom tomorrow.

Liviam - sorry to hear H is having problems too. I hope things improve for him soon lovely.

ETA: I meant to add that in the meantime, trying feeding your DS a little "up hill" - lean back in your chair or in bed so his position is lying on you and sucking from above your breast. Gravity will help slow your milk flow and I found it helped DD a little if she didn't have such huge amounts of milk going down her throat so quickly. HTH

I have no advice on breast feeding but from reading many threads involving reflux, changing to formula has caused more problems than sticking with breast feeding. I'd stay away from introducing formula as I don't think it will fix your problems. Get into your doctor and try some medication.

Good luck.

The ABA has info on breastfeeding the baby with reflux (not sure if that is what your bub has, but worth trying the positioning tips etc)

https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bf-...%93baby/reflux

DS went through a phase of this, pulling off and screaming then latching back on, drinking some more before repeating the process ...

No idea why it was happening, but he stopped doing it after a short while, and carried on as normal ...

I'm the same as nutter, I just persevered and he went back to normal after a week or so. If you are worried about reflux then get checked so you can implement strategies to help or rule it out. You are truly doing a wonderful thing bfing your lo.

Hi there!
It might be reflux - and as others have said, switching to formula won't help with that. Best to talk to your GP/CHN or an LC.

I think it's likely to be an age thing - very common for them to go through these sorts of phases - and/or your fast letdown. positional feeding & block feeding are great ideas, as is expressing to trigger letdown before you start (as you're already doing). Have you also tried calling the ABA for advice - 1800-686-2-686.

Also, they do get quicker at feeding as they get bigger - sometimes very quick, very suddenly. Sometimes mums are confused by this sudden change and will try to force their babies back to the breast thinking they can't possibly have had enough. Watch the nappies for your best indicator of how much milk he's getting. 6-8 wet cloth or 4-5 wet disposables.

It's very unlikely that it's something you ate.

Hang in there!

My DS did this. I'd go back to baby led attachment, lots of skin on skin, if nothing else it calmed him down! He eventually went back to feeding without crying or coming on and off, but he did have a few more blocks of the crying/on/off feeding during the first 6 months. For us, it just became part of our normal, it was a thing he did every so often and I tried not to overthink it (very hard I know!) As long as his output was still fine I just went with it. I did get to feed him in lots of interesting places and ways because of it, he fed better outside under a tree, in the bathtub and if I swapped positions everytime he cried or got fussy.

Hope it works out for you guys and it's just a week or two before he's a booby fan again :)

Just subbing, will be back soon to give my two cents :)

My DS was doing something similiar when we were still attaching (I use only EBM now). It turned out to be a milk protein allergy and I had to exclude all dairy from my diet. Initially it was thought to be reflux. I'm not saying that this is the case with your LO but just something to keep on the radar. Funnily enough I noticed it after binging on chocolate at Easter time. If it is a dairy issue then it takes 2-3 days to get out of your milk but it can take 2-3 weeks for little tummies to heal.

I don't think changing to forumula will help as FF babies get reflux too and formula can get comlex if it's a milk allergy as you need a prescription formula.

My DS had reflux, our feeds were very much the same. I managed to continue breastfeeding and our saviour was DS going onto reflux meds, he was a different baby afterwards! I would ask your gp/paed and see what they suggest. I also second looking at the ABA website, they have some wonderful advice that I found particularly helpful.

Good luck xx