Latching...unlatching...crying....latching...unlatching...crying...etc.

scooter19

Anyone have this problem?  My son will nurse, unlatch, cry...latch again...etc,  It doesn't happen in the morning (never has).  It happens in the afternoon and at night.  He's EBF.  I already spoke with an LC.  Honestly, she was no help at all.  I just spoke with a women from the LLL.  She was way more help.  She told to try a whole bunch of things and not to automatic think that I have a low supply (he's gaining weight well, hitting all the milestones.  He pees and poops a lot). 

I'm just curious if this has happened to anyone else.  The lady from the LLL said to cut out the pacifier.  She said he might have nipple confusion.  (He doesn't get bottles.)  

If this happened or is happening with you, what has helped?  Any other idea on what it could be?

TY!

synchrosally

He could just be frustrated with a slower flow.  I'd take the advice from LLL and go back if the issue isn't revolved.   

mic2004

I had the same issue with DD2 when she was about 8-12 weeks old and thought it was because I had low supply as well. However, I went to see and LC and she watched and listened as I nursed and said she could hear DD gagging. She said more than likely I had a fast letdown and DD was getting too much milk and/or it was hitting the back of her throat. She said she'd outgrow it and she was right. It did take some time, but eventually DD was able to keep up with the fast letdown and I continued to nurse DD til she was 14 months old. Good luck!

scooter19

I really do think it's a slow let down.  He doesn't unlatch in the morning but he does in the afternoon and at night.   But, I also noticed that if I wait about 3ish hours betwen feedings, he's fine.  He gets really bad if I nurse less than an hour apart. 

Did anyone else have slow let down?  If so, did something help?

synchrosally

scooter19:

I really do think it's a slow let down.  He doesn't unlatch in the morning but he does in the afternoon and at night.   But, I also noticed that if I wait about 3ish hours betwen feedings, he's fine.  He gets really bad if I nurse less than an hour apart. 

Did anyone else have slow let down?  If so, did something help?

Sorry, I had the opposite problem.  DS would latch, cry, latch again, but it was because he was drowning in milk.  

Maybe you could try breast compressions while he is nursing?  Maybe that would speed up the flow for him and convince him to stay the course? 

Stacyc625

Hey Scooter.

I am a lactation consultant (in training- finishing my clinical hrs)

have you tried compressions? he is probably frustrated with the slower flow and having to work harder at getting the milk out in the afternoons- try massaging your breasts before a feeding and do gentle soft compressions to help move the milk along a little faster. just to get it going and then you can let him take over with the sucking and feeding. GL

JulySpark05

This sounds exactly like my DD! I have been nursing her since birth and she is now 3 and 1/2 months and now she will just scream and cry like she's dying if I try to nurse her. For some reason, I can nurse her in the mornings no problem but for the rest of the day and for the evening feedings, she completely freaks out! I used to think is was something in my milk but its not because she can take my BM in a bottle no problem and I also thought maybe it was gas (you can see my previous posts) because she is really gassy but that probably isnt the problem. BUT if I nurse her and after she freaks out I give her my BM in a bottle, she will refuse it! But if I offer her formula she takes it! Really strange!! But if I dont nurse her and just offer her my BM in a bottle, she'll take it no problem! It's a mystery that I dont think i'll ever have an answer for...

As much as it breaks my heart to have to give her bottles instead of nursing, its the best thing for her because no baby should have to go through feedings screaming and crying so since last week, I have been giving her bottles during the day and evenings and nursing her in the mornings only. She does GREAT with the bottles and we no longer have crying and screaming during feedings which is soooo nice!

Hopefully your LO can get over this. I wish mine would but she's been like this ever since she was born so I dont think it'll change! Good Luck!

bwoods81

My LO does this, but he has AR.  I've found that a very quiet, calm nursing environment helps and also to give him his pacifier during nursing while he's crying and then quickly take it out and put my breast in quickly and he seems to do ok after that.  GL, I know how frustrating it is and how sad it makes you feel that LO doesn't seem to be enjoying nursing.  Hang in there and remember you're doing the best thing for your LO!

MelBee12

my LO does this in the mornings when I'm nursing in bed (side lying position)...it's usually when he's gassy..he'll take a few sucks and then cry/get squirmy/unlatch...latch again and start all over...so I have DH burp him really well and he usually cuts it out.  You could try a different position to see if that helps.  I also have a really fast let down and sometimes I end up spraying him in the face when he delatches!!...so lately I've been letting some of the foremilk squirt into the burp cloth and then I relatch when the let down slows down.

hollowstar

THIS IS US. It seems to be getting better, but my 8 day old definitely fits this pattern. The lactation people have only seen him when he's super sleepy and easy to latch. The thing is, he has a great latch, but gets frustrated (over what I have no idea) and flails himself off of it. He also gets his hands up right in front of his face and if you try to hold his arms down he just screams.

The best solution I've found is to BF him in bed at these times, lying on my side with him tucked under my arm at the breast. He is by far the calmest and quickest to latch in that position.

I am feeling your pain for sure - I've definitely cried along my kid in shared frustration.