Breastfeeding fights! Help!

RoseVA · January 2014

Whenever I begin to breastfeed, my LO latches on fairly quickly but then pulls away and swats at my breasts for a while and thrashes his head all around before latching on again. He does this whenever he pulls away or after I try to burp him as well. I'm trying to be patient and calm but it's getting very frustrating. My LC just told me to take deep breaths which was not very helpful advice. I should mention I use a nipple shield. He's three weeks old and is gaining weight. Feeding sessions are taking about an hour at a time--I drain one side then offer the next. Does anyone have any suggestions??

BoothBaby · January 2014

My LO does something similar sometimes. Occasionally he latches, bites a little, and releases. I assume it is him trying to trigger a let down.... Or his frustration at the lack thereof.

thebobloblaw · January 2014

I had the same problem for a couple days, not sure if it was the shield, growth spurt, gas, or mixture of all but I weaned off of the nipple shield and have been burping more and giving her a break to calm down before trying to latching again. Otherwise it's just a longer battle. Nursing sessions have also been shorter without the shield and less of a mess. More painful but getting better day by day.

Mrbatesisinnocent · January 2014

Have you tried swaddling during a feeding? My LO occasionally gets too worked up. Swaddling calms her down and feedings go smoother. She also gets a better latch when she's calm. Hope that helps you!

imrachellea · January 2014

Your LO sounds just like mine. And I have no solutions because I'm insanely frustrated. I hate the shield but it is hell on earth trying to get her to lath without it. She gets so "excited" at the boob sometimes and it really stunts her feeding ability, plus her hands are ALWAYS at her face and she knocks the shield off. We're having a time with this...I'll keep my eye on this thread...

Chichigo · January 2014

My son does this sometimes. I also tried feeding him while he's swaddled, and it was the cutest thing ever. After he was swaddled, he just looked up at me and opened and closed his mouth. It was like, alright mom, you know what I want- fix it!

imrachellea · January 2014

When you swaddler to feed, which I will be trying, do your LOs fall asleep? I usually feed just in a diaper because I need tummy & toe access to tickle her when she falls asleep but her hands at her face is killing me. Far too frustrating...

myeverything1203 · January 2014

Yup...Same problem....DD is 5 wks old. I use a nipple shield as well and I hate using it. She gets pissed and unlaches...then won't stop crying. This AM was actually the first time I had a meltdown and started crying with her. Lol. It will get better OP

I just have to keep reminding myself that

KelseyKetchum · January 2014

Sometimes my LO does that when he is tired and hungry. Swaddling helps him calm down and relax.

bcrossfeld · January 2014

This. All of this is my life. It's funny a few times (and only ever during daylight hours). But in the middle of the night, it's absolutely maddening.

VerySurprised · January 2014

Do you start expressing your milk a little before you have your LO latch? Do you think he's being impatient b/c the milk isn't flowing yet?

kimvpthompson · January 2014

My little guy does this too sometimes. At times, it's at the beginning of the feeding... But most often it's right around 13-15 minutes into a feeding. I don't know if it's frustration at the milk slowing down or what ... But he doesn't actually pull off.. He just holds my nipple in his mouth and thrashes for awhile, and then keeps sucking. It hurts ... $:\$

opolanco · January 2014

im gonna keep an eye on this, my Lo does the same thing with a dose of hand slaps and it usually hurts after awhile, ill try the swaddling but if anyone has a new suggestion im guessing we all be happy to fix this ..

Danicali · January 2014

imrachellea said:
When you swaddler to feed, which I will be trying, do your LOs fall asleep? I usually feed just in a diaper because I need tummy & toe access to tickle her when she falls asleep but her hands at her face is killing me. Far too frustrating...

I swaddle for every feed. Makes life easier. He does much better now. It's like he's so excited to eat - and sometimes his hands get in the way and he tries to eat his hands. If he falls asleep I tickle the back of his neck and that seems to help

hjweber · January 2014

Soozerella said:

Remy gets frantic sometimes but we take a break and burp. Also I have him lay on his bottom arm so I only need to fight the top one.

Exactly this. I think sometimes she thinks she's hungry so I go to feed her and she goes all BSC on the boob. So I take a break and try to burp her and then re-offer the boob. She either calms right down and latches or continues to beat me up, so I break until she can latch.

Agree with the others, try swaddling or burping. Forcing it will just further yours and LO's frustration.

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