crying while nursing... what's going on?

[DogStar]

I'd like to run something by you more experienced mothers...

My baby girl (my first) is just two weeks, and 4 days ago started screaming and crying as she's nursing. It really freaked me out at first, to the point I had to give her to my husband so I could cry... but then I came to realize she's only doing it after nursing a long time, and when I give her to her daddy he can get her calmed down in just a few moments regardless of how long I've already tried to get her to just sit there and nurse peacefully. Is it possible she's just full? A friend of mine is sure it's allergies, but she shows no other signs, and does not do it all the time.

She also started to do the whole colicky thing in the evenings, we're reading Happiest Baby on the Block and have already had success calming her down when she gets real riled up.

Anyone else experienced this?

Thanks

Sarah

[laughingfox]

My daughter did that when I tried some disposable nursing pads that had those polymer salts in them like disposable diapers (which I never expected, given that the package had the word "natural" on it, and when I called the company to complain, they told me I had no idea what I was talking about and that those chemicals were perfectly safe, ugh!).

Have you made any changes that might have a flavor/smell that's affecting her? Nursing pads? Nipple ointment? Body wash? Deodorant? Laundry detergent? Any dietary changes, such as eating more garlic, onions, chocolate, etc?

[LadyCatherine185]

My son did this starting around 3 weeks old and it was silent reflux.

[Awaken]

that can be really stressful when they're crying and you don't know why!

At 2 weeks her digestive system is still pretty immature- if she's doing it after she's been nursing for a while, it could just be she has gas or is needing to poop or feels really full and needs to burp. It already sounds like you guys are finding some good coping techniques!

crying/fussy times can often increase over the first few weeks, then slowly decline. it is really normal (though no less distressing and frustrating!) for some babies to go through unexplainable fussy periods, esp. in the evenings! Often handing them off to dad or some other loving person does help!

[Sleepyheaded_Mama]

I just wanted to chime in that my baby was doing the same thing, totally thought he was becoming colicky, and then I discovered that he had (has) thrush. Thrush can make it painful for them to nurse, and can also make them gassy and nauseous (to the point of vomiting) and just generally make their tiny lives miserable. I'm hoping that's not the case for your little one. It's a nightmare to treat. My son is only 2 weeks old as well and we are still dealing with trying to get rid of the thrush. Yuck.

[OperaDiva]

My little guy did that for a while pretty early on. Sometimes it was because he was uncomfortable and needed to burp (when the cry sounds like "eh eh eh" that usually means burp), other times I just wasn't quite sure. I did take probiotics just in case it was the start of thrush, and his fussiness did get a little better.

[Bokonon]

It sounds to me like overactive letdown:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/fast-letdown.html

[DogStar]

thanks everyone! She's doing better with it, in fact it's been two days... i really think she simply needed to be "reset" as we have started calling it... when she looks like she's getting antsy i burp her and play wih her a little and she's just fine

sarah