[Kylad]

I have a beatiful 10 weeek old and in the past three days he is refusing to breastfeed. Every time I put him to the breast he starts to scream and arch his back and refuses to suck. I went to the doctor today thinking that it could be an ear infection or such and was told that there was really nothing wrong with him. I am at my wits end, We had such a hard time learnng to breastfeed in the begining and when we finally figured it out a month later it feels like were back at the begining again. I'm getting frantic, I'm pumping and tring to feed him through a bottle but he has never liked the bottle, and I have no idea whats wrong. I don't know if he is getting enough food and I don't know what to do!

 

[courtenay_e]

First, take a look at his wets and poopy diapers. That's the most accurate way to tell if your baby is getting enough breastmilk. There's a great chart here: http://www.kellymom.com/store/freeha...oughmilk01.pdf

to give you a hand.

Next, you might try when the baby is relaxed. Take a warm bath together in a dim room. Try when he's sleepy after bed time routine.

It's very important that you get some milk into him...perhaps try cup feeding or dropper feeding until you can get him to latch.

It's also VERY important that you get help from somebody who's experienced in counseling breastfeeding problems, and do it NOW, especially if baby is taking no milk. Call your local LLL Leader. Find an IBCLC in your area and get help right away.

I'd take a look at how you're helping the baby to latch. Sometimes babies arch their back if you're holding on to the back of their head. There are a few other things I'd try, too...but again, finding your local LLL Leader can be a great hands on help.

 

[quirkylayne]

I haven't been through this personally but thought this link might help.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/...to-breast.html

 

[alegna]

I would stop the bottles. Syringe feeding, cup feeding and finger feeding could all work. There are instructions at
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/a...eeding.html#FF
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/a...eding.html#Cup

good luck!

-Angela

 

[melanie83103]

My daughter has been going through the same thing, and it started right before she turned 3 months old. For her, it turned out that she is teething. My son got teeth early, so I think she will too. But with my son, he never, ever refused a feeding, so I was shocked that my daughter didnt want to nurse. I read that it's common for babies to refuse nursing when they are teething, though.

What I've started doing is getting her to sleep, and then putting her on the breast when she's sleeping. Then she'll nurse in her sleep. The teething pain seems to be worse some days than others, because some days she doesnt refuse the breast.

I hope that helps.

Melanie

 

[Kylad]

Thank you all so much for your advice. You have no idea how much it really helped, he started to eat again, Thank god, and he is sleeping again, another thank god. I still have no idea what was wrong, but again thank you

 

[WillyMom]

My DS is 11mo. There will be many times when they go on these little mini-strikes. My lactation consultant suggested that during these times continue to offer the breast every two hours in a dim quiet area. If you only offer the breast, it is all he's got and he won't starve himself. I had to learn that they have off days when they aren't interested. Next thing you know he'll be on ALL day and night

It waxes and wanes. Hang in there!!