Why is 4-month old FREAKING OUT?!

[Charlotte's mum]

My 4 month old son has been bfing and pooping happily and constantly, until this week. Yesterday he started really freaking out at the breast. This is what I mean: I offer, and he enthusiastically dives for it, sucks 3 or 4 times, then pulls off, screaming. He does this over and over, stiffening his body and getting more and more upset, shrieking each time, until we give up and I'm left trying to soothe him by bouncing, singing etc. Even overnight, when he normally nurses quietly, he wouldn't stay on long enough to eat and got most distressed, biting (no teeth yet) and pulling at the nipple.

I'm worried that he won't get enough milk like this, but am wary about forcing the boob on him when it so clearly makes him upset.

This coincided with a change in pooping- he seems to be backed up- only 2 poops in last 6 days (after 4-8 times a day since birth). I don't know if that's related.... Also in same timeframe he's started drooling a ton and chewing madly on my fingers etc- maybe teething???

Does this sound familiar to anyone??? ANY help appreciated!

[NSmomtobe]

When my 4-month-old does this, I assume it's gas and I burp him before offering again. It is normal for EBF babies to go several days without pooping. And yes, I believe that drooling and hand chewing are signs of teething. I don't know if these things are related, but my son has been doing all of these things for several weeks now. I hope you get the feeding figured out.

[tommynomad]

I'm eager to see more replies, but it seems reasonable to me that he may not want to eat much if he's backed up. Shenomad's been reading a lot recently about the poop reflex when babies suckle, and how it sets their bowels in motion. If baby's constipated, that could be uncomfortable.