Breastfeeding

fighting the boob

my baby was born at 36 weeks 5 days and has been breastfeeding pretty well.  she does sometimes fight the boob though and i wonder why.  i know she's hungry but when i put her to my breast she'll buck her head back and cry.  she'll latch on for a second here and there and suck but then she'll keep throwing her head back and flailing her arms.  i thought at first it was gas so i would sit her up and burp her and after awhile she'll latch on.  sometimes she does it when she has a wet diaper.  sometimes it helps if i feed her before she really starts showing signs of hunger, sometimes it doesn't make a difference.  sometimes it helps if i swaddle her, sometimes it doesn't.  there really seems to be no rhyme or reason.  she always latches on eventually, sometimes on the other side then the one i'm trying to feed her on, but it can be frustrating when feeding becomes an hour long event when she actually only eats for 15-30 mins.  does anyone else's baby do this?  is it some kind of "preemie" thing or just a normal part of breastfeeding???? 
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Re: fighting the boob

  • This is likely related to letdown...  It would be best for someone to watch you nurse.

    If you have a slow letdown your baby might get frustrated.  "Mom - I'm working so hard and I'm not getting any milk!"  This can be helped by relaxation and massage prior to initiating a feed.

    The opposite - a fast letdown - can also be very upsetting to baby.  "I'm just trying to have a little snack but it feels like water boarding!"  This was a problem that I had.  Milk would come spilling out faster than DS could handle and he would fuss and gag and sputter.  I would pop him off the breast for that brief period of fast letdown and then re-latch and he'd be happy.

    HTH :)

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  • My LO does this (she's 4 wks and was born 41wks+5).  Mostly its because I have a fast let down.  Sometimes its because she's filling her diaper as she nurses.  Lovely isn't it?  I agree with PP that a lactation consultant observing you might be really helpful.
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