Breast Feeding yet my LO is still crying!!!!

[LaDY]

My LO is now 8 weeks old and he is crying after every feed...he latches on...drinks...pulls himself back off again...crys...latches on...he is constantly hungry!!!...gave him a bottle and he was a very happy baby...i feel guilty for starving him for so long and i feel even guiltier for stopping breast feeding and putting him on the bottle...but i a doing the right thing aren't i? I should do what satisfys my baby...am i doing the right thing??

 

[KarenLV]

Relatching is usually caused by gas...if you cant get it out by winding try some Infacol.if you give him bottle your breast are not going to increase their milk supply making him even more annoyed.Hang in there it will get better.

 

[ryder]

If he is happier on a bottle then go for it. You have nothing to feel guilty about. The bottle will help you monitor and make sure he is getting sufficient amounts and also helps you choose better times of when to burp him so he wont get gas.

 

[Ragirl]

Is this crying a new thing or has he been doing the whole 8 weeks? If it is new, he is likely in a growth spurt. The problem with the bottle is that your milk supply will not increase. Also, his appearing happier with the bottle may have nothing to do with amount he was getting- it may have been quicker flow than your breasts and he was happier getting his food quicker. If you really want to continue bfing, I would ditch the bottle and spend a few days of tons of skin to skin contact and eating whenever he wants and see if things improve.

 

[LaDY]

I have been using infacol for nearly 2 weeks nw and he still keeps latching on and off...and the crying has been going on since he was born...since giving the bottle he appears so much happier...i just dont know if im doing the right thing...seeing him content is so nice x

 

[Ragirl]

Seeing him more content is definetly a worthy thing. Part of this issue can also be that you feel reassured knowing how much he is getting, so you relax, which makes him happier- babies really sense and feed off of our own moods/insecurities/etc. You could always try pumping and bottle feeding (don't know if you have already tried this or not) and then maybe you would feel less guilty about switching to bottles and still get to know how much he is getting. Also remember, if he is gaining weight, he's getting enough from you even you can't measure how much that is. Regardless of what you do- consider all your options, choose what you feel is best for you and baby, and do it without guilt because, like I said, baby will pick up on that guilt and it won't be good for either of you. You are a great mom regardless of which you choose.

 

[Margerle]

are his stools very yellow or are they a bit green and slimy?

 

[LaDY]

they are yellow and runny...i know this is the size of a well fed baby but if the baby wants more yet is getting frustrated with the boob i think i should do what keeps him happier...that way life becomes easier for th 2 of us...im right aren't i...Oh i don't know mummies!!!! Agggggggggggg!

 

[Ragirl]

You know- it really does sound like he is getting enough from all the "signs." Which makes me wonder if his frustration at the breast and not the bottle is a flow issue- he just likes it to come out faster. I think if you stick with the breast this will resolve, but it would mean going no bottles so he is not reminded he COULD have it quicker...but again, you kind of have to decide which is more important to you- It's hard to see you baby frustrated at every feed. On the other hand, my concern is that there have been so many women on here who gave up bfing during a difficult phase and now regret it- and I would hate for that to happen to you. In terms of his health, it really sounds like you would be fine sticking with bfing...now you just have to decide what is best for your sanity in the long run...wish there was more I could do to help you make that decision

 

[ryder]

they are yellow and runny...i know this is the size of a well fed baby but if the baby wants more yet is getting frustrated with the boob i think i should do what keeps him happier...that way life becomes easier for th 2 of us...im right aren't i...Oh i don't know mummies!!!! Agggggggggggg!

Your right hunny! You do what YOU feel is the right and best thing for your baby.

If you want to continue breastfeeding then by all means, there were some good suggestions about pumping etc if it works.

However, sometimes something just arn't worth the stress on both you and the baby, and your instinct will tell you when this is right. And if you and the baby are more comfortable with bottle feeding, then there is nothing wrong with it.

Bottle feeding is NOT bad and you should NOT feel guilty about wanting to do this instead...

Good luck with whatever you decide, you are an amazing mum no matter what.

 

[Margerle]

You know- it really does sound like he is getting enough from all the "signs." Which makes me wonder if his frustration at the breast and not the bottle is a flow issue- he just likes it to come out faster. I think if you stick with the breast this will resolve, but it would mean going no bottles so he is not reminded he COULD have it quicker...but again, you kind of have to decide which is more important to you- It's hard to see you baby frustrated at every feed. On the other hand, my concern is that there have been so many women on here who gave up bfing during a difficult phase and now regret it- and I would hate for that to happen to you. In terms of his health, it really sounds like you would be fine sticking with bfing...now you just have to decide what is best for your sanity in the long run...wish there was more I could do to help you make that decision

Brilliantly stated Ragirl - as always