2 month old and sudden latching issues

Hi all,

For the past 2 weeks, we have been having issues with feeding. Initially he will latch on fine then after a couple of sucks he starts 'clicking'. I try to take him off and reattach him so he gets more nipple in his mouth but same thing happens. This will go on for the whole feed but gets worse when let down happens. We both end up getting frustrated because he takes in a lot of air (thankfully he burps real easy) and doesn't have a proper feed therefore feeds a lot more (around 1.5-2hrs). I even tried EBM and he did the same with the bottle. The doctor ruled out any sicknesses.

In general he is a happy bub but I'm getting a little exhausted with feeding all the time and DS1 isn't liking the extra time I am spending with his brother.

Do you think its a phase thing or would it be worth seeing someone about it? Any advice appreciated.

Thanks :)

Hi eza, my DD clicked too for a while but it passed on its own. It didn't hurt my supply or the amount she was taking so all was good.

Oh are you sure he's not taking enough milk? At 2 months he could well be feeding more often due to a growth spurt, developmental leap etc. the clicking could be coincidental.

Hi Ladylove,

I'm actually not sure about his milk intake, with DS1 he always seemed really content and 'milk drunk' after feeds. I'm not getting that with DS2. He isn't unhappy after feeds, he seems satisfied but not full if that makes sense?

Hmm I'm not sure. It's hard isn't it. Is he a more alert baby and maybe less likely to be as prone to milk drunkeness? Or becoming more alert at this age? But trust your instinct.

Hi,
Babies are clever! If they are finding the letdown to forceful or the milk supply to abundant they will utilise their “milk management system” - they will release suction so as to slow the flow of milk. This will produce a click, but rather than being a problem it’s his way of dealing with the problem. If he comes off coughing and spluttering, give him a minute then put him down when the flow has ebbed.
Is he having both breasts at a feed now? He might be getting to an age where he is looking for that. What have his weight gains been like? This will reveal the secret of whether or not he is getting enough. Some times too much milk causes irritability - and then mums think it’s that they are not getting enough milk. Is he sleeping for any longer period? If they are sleeping longer (at night hopefully) they will need extra feeds in the day - I don’t stray from my waterbottle for more than an hour- especially in this hot weather. Frequent feeds could be pretty normal. What have his wet and dirty nappies been like?

To be honest sound like a variation of normal to me. My kids have always fed 2hrly or more, even my 2yr old (can someone tell her she doesn't need to feed that often!).

Hang in there, I know how exhausting it can be.

Does it hurt when he clicks? DS was a clicker, but it didn't create any problems and over time he just stopped (maybe 6 months there was no more clicking).

Is he taking 1.5 - 2 hours for one feed, or feeding every 1.5-2 hours?

meant to add - you have just given DS the best gift he will ever get - a sibling. Yup, right now there is plenty he won’t like about the situation, not just the breastfeeding! Babies are time conusuming any way you dice it up. But that’s life, and he has to learn to deal with it. Lovingly, you are showing him sometimes som-one else’s needs are more important than his - how lucky is he?

Like HotI said as long as the click isn't hurting, it's fine and can be quite 'normal'. DD occassionally clicks when the let down is too fast & like Barb said, she coughs & splutters. I sit her upright, give her a few seconds and reattach her. DD also started feeding more frequently during the day, more late arvo, early evening (say 1.5 - 2 hrs) and as a result she sleeps longer at night. The past two nights she has only woken once for a feed overnight & it was a long feed, like 25 mins all up with a quick nappy change (usually feeds are 10-15 mins).
Keep an eye on the nappies, wet & dirty are a good sign. Your baby will become more alert as he gets older so the milk drunk look might not happen as often now.

Thanks guys,

I know he is getting enough milk as he is still gaining weight (born 3.7kgs, now 7kgs) and has plenty of wet nappies and 2-3 poos a day.

He is still clicking when he feeds, doesn't hurt my nipples at all, hopefully he will adapt to my flow soon enough. At the moment he is having 2-3 1 hour sleeps during the day but he sleeps very well at night usually only waking once around 3am (goes to bed around 8) then back down til 6ish.

Was mainly concerned about the clicking and the air he is taking in (and the mess when he lets go! lol).

Thanks again :)

Perhaps you have had an increase in milk supply?