Do you have an extremely fussy baby while breastfeeding? Here are some possible reasons why your baby is fussing at the breast, and how to deal with a fussy baby.
Not all fussiness and breast refusal is due to milk supply issues; it is essential that you investigate all the possible causes before considering supplementation.
When is supplementation necessary?
As time goes by, most babies will start to suck stronger and more efficiently. During the first few weeks after birth, a baby may drink up to 40 minutes per feeding but, as time goes by, he/she might only need 10 to 15 minutes at the breast. A mother may, for this reason, think that her baby is fussy when, in fact, her baby has had sufficient milk.
Check for signs that your baby is drinking enough milk.
Your fussing baby may be experiencing a growth spurt. A growth spurt usually occurs between 7 to 10 days, 2 to 3 weeks, 4 to 6 weeks, or at three months, four months, six months and nine months; this is just a general guideline; some babies do experience growth spurts at other times.
Growth spurts in the breastfed baby.
Has he/she always been fussy? Is he/she fussy at only certain times while feeding? Does your baby seem to choke while feeding?
If you think you have a slow let down, you can pump milk for a few minutes before feeding to get the milk flowing before your baby latches on.
How to rectify a fast or slow let-down reflex.
Fussing on one side of the breast is a sign of the difference in either the flow of milk, the quantity of milk, shape of the breast or the nipple.
Breast preference and breastfeeding on only one side.
This could indicate an ear infection. Have your baby checked for an ear infection.
Ear infection in the breastfed baby.
White spots in a baby’s mouth could indicate Thrush.
If you suspect that your baby has thrush, get it seen to. A baby with thrush can be made more comfortable with medications.
Tongue tie is fixed quickly, with just a little snip at the doctor’s office.
Spitting up is normal to a certain degree. Your baby may be suffering from acid reflux.
See Reflux in the breastfed baby.
Try feeding your baby earlier; sometimes babies may become fussy at the breast if they are over-hungry.
Alternate breasts only every 4 hours if you suspect oversupply or foremilk/hindmilk imbalance; this will ensure that your baby gets more of the fatty hindmilk.
Normal urine and stool output for the breastfed baby.
A baby can pick this up and become overstimulated and fussy due to this.
Tummy cramps may be a result of the introduction of solids.
• The baby may have physical or neurological problems, such as low/high muscle tone, sensory problems, or oral aversion (resistance to anything that touches the inside of the mouth). Does your baby push your finger out of his/her mouth? this could indicate an oral aversion. Touching your baby’s face may also confuse him/her, by making him/her root in that direction for the breast.
• Milk supply issues such as engorgement in the first few days, delayed onset of mature milk (milk coming in), food allergy or sensitivity to something in the mother’s milk.
• Changes in the taste of the breast milk: During menstruation, during pregnancy with another baby. During a mastitis infection, the milk may taste saltier.
• Baby might be overly hungry due to: Ineffective milk transfer (can be due to many reasons). Strict feeding schedules are also not recommended.
• If you were given any drugs during labor or if you and your baby were subject to invasive procedures during delivery, such as delivery via C-section or with vacuum/forceps. Medication given during a C-section can have an impact on a baby’s alertness and ability to suck, due to prematurity (even if he/she is just 2 or 3 weeks premature).
• The introduction of specific medications taken while breastfeeding may affect your baby. Medication and breastfeeding information.
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