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XP: Arching back, grunting while BFing/pooping?

missa8182missa8182
in Breastfeeding

My baby has started really writhing around while BFing (and also while pooping)...arching his back, kicking his legs, and twisting. He doesn't generally cry, but he REALLY grunts (and I mean *grunts*) loudly and makes awful faces like he's uncomfortable. I'm assuming it's gas or him trying to pass a bowel movement, but it seems to be interferring with him when he's BFing, which, when he isn't doing this, seems to soothe him and make him very relaxed. His stools aren't dry at all and wet/dirty diapers are after almost every single feeding.

Has anyone else experienced this or know how I can help him?

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Re: XP: Arching back, grunting while BFing/pooping?

  • KatieTheMagnificentKatieTheMagnificent

    Do you have overactive letdown?  If the letdown is too forceful, it'll make them swallow air and get gassy.  Ari, at a little over 3 months, is just now getting a handle on my OAL/oversupply.  

    Try block feeding (only nursing on one side for more than one session), nursing in a reclining position (gravity will help), or letting down into a towel/burp cloth so the flow won't be as strong.

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  • ESTH2000ESTH2000 member

    It's amazing how quickly one forgets...if my memory serves me correctly ...my lo did the same thing in the early months...more so the grunting then the arching of the back...they really don't know how to poop yet...I remember thinking she was constipated and was quickly corrected...its rare for babies that young to be constipated...

    I do remember some nesties saying the arching of the back may be a sign of reflux...so maybe keep an eye out for that...

     

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  • MamiJamMamiJam member
    Definitely sounds like gas.  Try burping him in between switching sides, moving his legs in a bicycle motion, putting him on his belly for a little while to get the gas out.  DS did this too when he was little, evenutally they get better at nursing and swallow less air.  HTH!
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  • ESTH2000ESTH2000 member

    imageMamiJam:
    Definitely sounds like gas.  Try burping him in between switching sides, moving his legs in a bicycle motion, putting him on his belly for a little while to get the gas out.  DS did this too when he was little, evenutally they get better at nursing and swallow less air.  HTH!

     

    ditto this..and I'm not sure if your lo is too young yet but the mylicon gas drops worked for us...

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  • tidetraveltidetravel

    Have you talked to your pediatrician?  DD had both reflux and gas and was a uncomfortable crying mess at that age.  The ped gave her a antiacid for the reflux and we give mylicon for the gas.  You can the mylicon it OTC at walmart or target.  You have to give it as a preventative (we do 3x a day after eating) - you can't use it to spot treat gas episodes. 

     Also, if you suspect reflux (head/back arching, spitting up or spitting up and swallowing, pulling away forcefully from the breast, reaching for throat) there are some things you can do to try to help it w/o medicine.  Hold LO upright for 15-20 min after feeding.  Don't jostle LO after feeding.  Get a crib wedge so baby sleeps at an incline.

    GL!   

    Holy Crap. We survived the first year!
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  • RBCRBC
    DD did the same thing at that age and unfortunately she has acid reflux and tons of gas. I hope your LO does not have reflux and this is only gas. A few things helped: cut out dairy from my diet ( this takes a week or more to see the change) I drank fennel tea a few times a day no orange juice, tomatoes, tomato sauce no caffeine no legumes - broccoli, green beans, beans... I'm not saying you should do this by any means. I'm just sharing what I figured out works for me after three painful months. Lots of burping, gas drops, warm towels on the belly( for soothing ) tummy time, work the legs... Anything you can do to get the gas out. GL!
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