Need Help! 6-week DS won't latch, fights breast and seems miserable BFing!

[guest123456]

X-posted in Life with a Babe

Having some BF issues, sometimes my DS won't latch and will fight the breast; then when I finally get him on he will seem to be uncomfortable (squirmy) during let-down and keep unlatching then need help to get back on. Sometimes I need to keep switching sides till it works. I haven't figured out the factors that make a good session vs. a bad one. Considering reflux, nipple confusion from having used a bottle a couple times, his level of tiredness, comforting methods and inadequacies (incl. oversupply) on my part. Other times though, he's a peaceful BFing babe. I've had blocked ducts and mastitis 2x already... I can't wait to figure this out! TIA for your advice :)

Another question, DS is great, hardly cries unless overtired but in the last week he's been crying (loud, angry, screaming) when he wakes up... what's up with this? I've tried nursing right when he awakens before he really gets going but that doesn't work (pulling off, won't latch, gets angrier). I've also been trying to walk/bounce him, change his diaper, etc. None of it seems to work; I have to wait for him to calm down enough to take the breast, which is usually after a diaper change, rocking him and switching sides a bunch while trying to nurse. 

Keeping him swaddled seems to help but he fights that too, and I'm not sure when it's safe to take him out of it post-wakeup without risking a fit. Any advice is so greatly appreciated! I'm getting stressed, definitely need help to crack this one. 

[Syriani369]

Your let down might be really strong.  Pump a bit before you put him on the breast. 

[Viola]

Sounds like it could be oversupply, overactice letdown, or a combination of both.  Or it could be the opposite, he's not happy with the flow of the milk.  It can be so hard to tell.  I'm just thinking that if he has reflux like symptoms and you have had clogged ducts, that might point more to an overabundant milk supply.  What may help with a big milk supply is to limit feeding to one breast for a certain period of time.  And trying different positions might help--the prone position, where you are lying back and the baby is lying on you and can have more control over the latching might help with a strong letdown.

Sometimes babies really need to be settled down before they can nurse effectively, and massage or warm baths might help with that.  It sounds like you are already doing swaddling and rocking.  

I had the experience with my first child where after nursing had been going OK for awhile, it would take her forever to latch on and settle into nursing.  And during that time I was constantly putting her on, but she'd pull off and squirm around.  Sometimes I just had to put her on her tummy and pat her back for awhile, and that was what she wanted, and sometimes after a long time of offering and on and off, she'd settle in. I talked to people who said their babies went through the same thing, and I've since talked to other mothers who report this.  But it seems like it's more common at the 4 month mark with people I've talked to.  For mine it was just a short phase, I don't know if it was related to a growth spurt or what, but it was also during this time that she wanted to use a pacifier, so maybe part of it was wanting something to suck without the milk--she had a strong suck and seemed annoyed when there was actually milk sometimes.

Best wishes to you!

[ElliesMomma]

switch positions. have you tried sidelying in bed with him? if he pulls off, encourage him to get back on.

you mentioned reflux -- does he spit up?

are your breasts leaky?

[Swedish-Anna]

I think you are doing a Super job for your Son! It often takes some time for this beautiful teamwork to be fine tuned, but you will get there together. 

This is for the both of you. For you too.  You are going to get there!  

The time you spend trying and trying and trying again will be all worth it. You get to know your newest little man this way.

By the way it sounds when you describe it, you sound like a fantastic mother with your child´s best at the top of your mind. You seem so loving and so caring- you are doing well.

To get this perfectly going can take a while and its not uncommon for a learning curve between 3-6 month. If you have this in mind you will see that you have done a lot of progress just last few weeks.  See at thee other ladies comments perhaps that is something for you right now. You could have some cloths next to you and let some milk out as the baby has started the let down reflex. This way it will not get to messy for you and you will not have to put your baby down to hold the pump.

Remember and keep constantly reminding yourself that you are doing a perfect job!  With your fine attitude this will work out! I am in full admiration for the job you are doing.

Well done! Good job! Super mama! Lots of hugs.