Crying while Nursing

parenthood4

My LO has started crying sometimes when he nurses. He pulls back and cries/screams loudly. He's usually fine at the beginning, but then starts crying. He'll be fine when I sit him up or switch sides (at least for a little bit, then he'll cry again). 

I thought maybe he wasn't getting milk and was getting frustrated, but when I squeeze, milk will come out. It will even shoot out, so I think there's plenty there.  We stopped using a nipple shield a few weeks ago.

He's been fussier than usual and not sleeping as well either. It's been going on for about a week.

Any ideas? Reflux? Because we changed from the nipple shield? Random wonder week? Random baby fussiness? Something else?

I keep thinking it will pass, but feeding times are starting to get really stressful. I can't decide if I should take him to the doctor or just wait it out. He doesn't do it every feeding, and like I said, it just started about a week ago.

Thanks!

baloneydisc

Could be teething, is he showing any other signs?  Teething causes gum pain when they suck, when DD teeths she cries at the breast but it isn't every feeding either, that's what made me think of it.

alliecat1234

I don't know what it is, either, but my baby has been doing this for the past week.  Sometimes at every nursing session, and sometimes just here and there.  The past two nights it's been during his bedtime nursing sessions and it gets him so wired it's hard to get him to sleep.  We are going for his 4 month check-up on Monday and I am going to ask the ped about it.

parenthood4

elainelbuck:

Could be teething, is he showing any other signs? nbsp;Teething causes gum pain when they suck, when DD teeths she cries at the breast but it isn't every feeding either, that's what made me think of it.

Hmm I don't know? He's fussy and drools nonstop, but I can't feel anything. I'll keep an eye on it though

parenthood4

alliecat1234:

I don't know what it is, either, but my baby has been doing this for the past week.nbsp; Sometimes at every nursing session, and sometimes just here and there.nbsp; The past two nights it's been during his bedtime nursing sessions and it gets him so wired it's hard to get him to sleep.nbsp; We are going for his 4 month checkup on Monday and I am going to ask the ped about it.

It's so weird! Let me know if you find out anything!

mkflower3000

Maybe he needs a burp? Maybe when you move him from breast to breast some of the pressure gets relieved, but then he realizes that he still needs to burp soon after?

anonsouthernbell

Over active letdown?

vrj0522

Mine used to do this all the time and it was from not sleeping enough. For some reason, every time he fed it was almost like he realized how incredibly tired he was and was wanting to go to sleep. After I realized this, we made sure he got more sleep but then something really funny started happening. He would only feed enough to feel satisfied but would leave a little bit of room and would refuse to finish feeding UNTIL I tried to put him down for a nap. Then he would act hungry again but once I put him to the breast, he would feed for like a minute and then fall asleep. I think there was a feeding/sleep association which after several weeks of hard work, I think I finally broke him from.

 It could also be teething.

alexandrineblanc

Well when we become a mom. That's when we are asking ourself questions all the time. Try different things: i was also thinking of trying to burp him. Maybe he has gas and is uncomfortable? I went to the doctors last week because baby was screaming all afternoon for a few days and I tried all kind of things that didn't work. Anyway I did end up going for nothing but it's better for you and baby. Baby is teething... I would recommend to have his weight checked, did he loose weight? If he did maybe you will need to add supplements. Do you have a lactation consultant. Give her a call. They are a great help!

skooterblenny

Mine did this too around 3 months, i was going crazy trying to figure out what the problem was. It was only in the evenings between 6pm-9pm though. Baby was just tired I think. and possibly teething. Drooling all the time, pulling on ears, etc. I think nursing just made their gums hurt. It will get better! good luck, probably just a phase.

parenthood4

Thanks everybody!

I don't think it's a burping issue, because I burp him a lot because he spits up so much and he does it after he burps too. 

Someone else suggested over active let down, so I've been nursing him while on my side instead of sitting up the last few times, and it seems to be helping, so I'm hoping that's what it is!

That's a good suggestion to check his weight, I'm going to do that when we wakes up from his nap.

Really hoping it's either the over active let down (so I have a solution) or just a phase that ends soon! Or even teething, since that would be a reason.

Thanks again everyone! Let me know if you think of anything else!