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My little man is 5 months old and exclusively breastfed. I've just overcame my third bout of Mastitis - all from my left boob. But now bub seems to be rejecting that side? And hardly wants to feed off the other. He has been a little unwell. I'm just concerned because his fontanelle is constantly sunken throughout the day (I should mention that he is feeding fine at night).
What's happening? What can I do? I'm just persisting but its futile and I'm getting no where.
some little ones get to distractedcto feed during the day. they are starting to discover that big majical world out there and want to experienve every part of it. does it make a difference if you went to a quiet room with limited external stimulus? might help him stay on longer
My DS has been eating a fair bit less lately, too - we're 50% BF and 50% FF, and he's taking just 300ml of formula at most over 24 hours instead of 450-550ml... I think it's a teething thing. Could it be something like this?
Are you offering any solids yet? (I can't remember.) If so, he might need water to keep hydrated.
It's stinking hot, too, so maybe he needs some extra water during the day, even if BF babies are meant to not need it. I mean, if he's not drinking from the boob, you can't force him to, and a sunken fontanelle is a sign of dehydration. So maybe offering water instead will help a bit. I know some people lose their appetite in the heat and humidity.
Those are my thoughts too.
But is it normal to completely reject one side? I had to express to drain it, and then he took the bottle happily after refusing to breastfeed :(
Too hot and sticky to have the close contact, maybe? Try feeding lying down next time so you don't have to touch each other much?
Ah, it's always worrying when they do this!
What's your wet & dirty nappy count? Do you think he might be getting enough overnight and just not that interested during the day? Around the 4-ish month mark babies often get very distracted during the day and may cut feeds very short (preferring to do other stuff rather than comfort suck) and/or prefer to feed during the night when there's not much else going on. Do you reckon that might be it?
Illness can also make them go off it a bit, too, so it could well be that. Watch the nappies - hopefully it will pass soon.
In the mean time, try not to force the issue. Trying to get baby to feed when they don't want to often makes matters worse. Do you think he might be more interested in feeding on the 'bad' side if you offer it first? Or maybe try a different hold to trick him? Or feed in the bath or somewhere unusual?
Here's some more info from ABA. I remember contacting them about this sort of thing with my son was about 4.5 months old and I just didn't know what was going on!
Take care
Thanks guys. I have been offering the left first for every feed since I noticed the blocked duct, however he takes a few sucks then fusses. It's just strange, as soon as I expressed the milk he took it from the bottle like he'd been starved!?
I'm not *too* concerned about hydration. Whilst his fontanelle is still sunken, his nappies have not changed. I'm more concerned about my milk supply to be honest. Though I do have some boiled water in the fridge just in case.
I tried waiting till he was tired and dopey before the most recent feed, and that seemed to work.
Maybe that side is a bit slower to let down? If his nappies are good, then he's getting enough. Hang in there
Do you still actually have mastitis with the red hot blocked duct?
A midwife told me, and it made sense, that they can and will reject that side because it could possibly taste funny from the infection and also because the area gets so hot it can apparently make your milk hot also, and burn their throats a little :(
As for the fussy feeding both of mine have done that at one stage or another. It should pass.
Have you tried feeding him from that breast with him lying on the side he would for the other one? If he is unwell, maybe he has an ear infection or something and doesn't like actually lying on that side. Just a thought for something to try.
Oh golly have I been there! :hug: without mastitis, but persistent breast refusal.
One of my favourite tricks is to squirt a bit into baby's open mouth, and then try again.
With DD1 we had to limit her night feeds to improve the day feeds. It's a long story, and took us ages to work it out, but it was affecting her weight gain and general happiness.
With DD2 I have had to break up her feeds and offer short, frequent snack feeds. She just seems to get full and pull off really quickly. Doesn't sound like it's your problem, but just throwing ideas out there to see if anything sets off a light bulb!
Could it be a sore neck issue? Would osteo help?
Hugs hun, its so frustrating when they aren't feeding properly! I have had mastitis twice in the right boob and my milk on that side was salty until the infection cleared completely. I also noticed my let down on the affected side was slower than normal for a few days after. Have you tried expressing to the point of let down then offering it too him? I found this worked for DS2 cos he was getting frustrated and pulling off before the let down happened.