Breastfeeding help

[wanna_baby]

Hi,
Not sure if anyone still uses this forum, seems empty but worth a try.
My LO and I were doing well with breastfeeding and al of a sudden at 3.5 months now, she won’t feed properly. Every time I put her on the breast, she squirms and cries and won’t probably “deep suck”. She eventually will drink a little by sucking just the nipple. I’m worried she’s not drinking enough and this is going to affect my supply. Has anyone had this happen or know why this could be??

 

[Bevziibubble]

has she got a tongue tie? They are very common but many midwives and doctors don't know how to spot them so they go undiagnosed and can cause feeding problems etc.

 

[wanna_baby]

Thanks for the response Bev! Nice to see you still active in these forums
I did hear of tonge ties but not sure how to diagnose them... I’m going to mention it at her next check up with the doctor...
Hopefully it improves because I want to continue to breastfeed for atleast 6 months..

 

[Deethehippy]

Have you changed your diet at all or started any meds or vitamins?? Babies can taste what you have eaten and maybe your milk isn't tasting as it used to?

 

[doggylover]

@wanna_baby If it’s a sudden change then it may be a fussy week for her. Try latching her on when she is sleepy and less likely to make a fuss. If she doesn’t latch properly keep persevering or else you’ll end up very sore.

have you tried different feeding positions? Laid back, side lying in bed, cross cradle or rugby hold? One of those may help her latch more deeply.

are you feeling very engorged? It can be hard for babies to latch if you are, so softening the breast first may be an option. Maybe she is squirming because of a fast let down, so using a C hold and again laid back would help with that.

Breastfeeding problems have lots of breastfeeding solutions, we just need to figure out what the problem is so that we can get the right solution!!

Is she still having lots of wet and dirty nappies? The best way to measure input is to measure he output.

 

[doggylover]

You didn’t mention if you’ve been giving her any bottles. If so, it could also be a bit of nipple confusion. The bottles are easier to drink from and no deep latch is needed so she would assume the same on the breast.

 

[mridula]

If you’re feeding her after a long gap, try pumping out atleast 10-20 ml and then let her latch onto your breast. Long gaps and engorgement can make the milk taste bad at first 10-20 ml of sucking. So she might not be liking the taste.

Also wipe your nipple clean each time you feed her. And do not change your diet suddenly, do it gradually. The food you eat gives the milk a specific taste and smell, so she might be used to a certain taste.

And most importantly, belch/burp her after each feed even if she’s asleep. Otherwise it can make her gassy and upset her stomach. You can give her 5 ml of gripe water at night for 2 days and see if it helps relieve her gas or any other stomach issues.

 

[wanna_baby]

Thank you ladies for the response... after reading a lot and contacting the local health nurse, the nurse said the baby could be in a breastfeeding strike. She said to try everything you ladies mentioned... no I didn’t change my diet and yes I do give pumped milk in a bottle at times. But she was ok with this before . I didn’t just start doing that...
I have changed the positions of feeding... it seems to be working... I even walk around and feed her, sing and feed... as if to distract her that she’s feeding... hopefully it’ll fully get back to normal soon...
She’s getting wet and dirty diapers so she’s getting enough food....

 

[Bevziibubble]

I'm glad changing the positions of feeding seems to be working