For the first two weeks my baby boy was so content and happy, would lay awake and look around, sit in his swing or bouncy chair, etc. The past few days I can't get him to nap more than a couple minutes or be calm unless he's attached to my breast. I can't eat, get a glass of water, basically can't leave my chair because he screams when off for more than a couple minutes. I'd like to pump some to get ahead for when I go back to work in a few weeks or just to take a couple hours away but it's impossible. Only getting an ounce shortly after he falls asleep and can get up to 3 after he eats and falls asleep in the morning when I'm fuller. Is this attachment nursing or is he unable to get enough at once? He certainly wets and soils enough diapers but I'm not sure how to get longer intervals of contentment in between. Sorry So long, first time mom
Re: I want my happy baby back
He's 5 weeks now and about 3 weeks ago he started crying - having complete meltdowns that only stop when I nurse him. He stays on the breast until he falls asleep, sometimes for an hour or more. If I try to take him off and he isn't in a deep enough sleep, he cries until he is back on. My nipples are so incredibly sore.
I've seen my pediatrician and a lactation consultant about it and was told that if they are gaining weight normally and having enough wet and dirty diapers, it's comfort nursing. The pediatrician thought it might be reflux or a dairy allergy but we've ruled that out. The lactation consultant thought that a forceful letdown might be causing some of the problem (he also spits up a large amount and seems gassy). Often an imbalance of foremilk and hindmilk result with this. Maybe look into that if your LO is having any other symptoms besides the crying.
My pediatrician said that it was good he was comforted by nursing - some babies can't even calm by breastfeeding.
Good luck!
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