Will Not Stay On Boob ....

[reAllytee]

Grrrr i feel like an idiot as well as being totally useless.

Squeak will just not stay on the boob longer than 10mins each side. Ive tried to get him to stay on longer but he just wont he gets cranky & frustrated. He is hungry cause he ends up rooting for more but when i try to put him on the boob he latches then pulls off screaming. So we both end up in tears.

I welcome any ideas on how i get him to stay on to help my supply because i know thats the problem.

Im currently eating foods that help with supply & am on Maxalon also to help, im at my wits end.

[Seekrit]

Does he have some gas issues maybe Ally? Does he burp if you tried to burp him then?

Cobes went through an unlatching screaming back arching thing at about 2 weeks, it was because I had 'over active let down' .. basically he got too much milk too fast and couldn't cope.

[reAllytee]

I try to burp him but he wont let it out .... He is bad like Boof was but at least it isnt combined with colic !

Im going insane trying to get this to freaking work :banghead:

[punkbaby]

have you tried different positions. laying down etc or holding him a different way?

Agree with the wind thing too though maybe give him a rest and try him again

[Pixie]

Have you tired putting honey or chocolate on your nipples I am sure he'd like that :p

Yep wind could be it, also he might just be frustrated and you're not letting down quick enough for him, or it could be coming to fast.

[Funkychicken]

Ally, first of all, take a few deep breaths and tell yourself you are doing nothing wrong.

Is he taking in enough "boob" when he latches on?

Can you still see nipple? If so, he hasn't taken enough boob into his mouth and he won't be able to get your milk flowing.

*take some more deep breaths and tell yourself you are doing nothing wrong*

Wait until he is asleep and then lay down beside him and offer him your breast. Often if babies are asleep they will start munching as soon as they smell your milk, so you could try this as a way of 'tricking' him, if you like.

*take more breaths and tell yourself you are doing nothing wrong*

A worried mum can equal a worried baby so try really hard to relax (I know, easier said than done!) and just be. Lay with him and don't plan anything for hours if you can. Let Baz take care of Boof as much as possible and take the time to get acquainted with Squeak as often as possible.

And most of all, tell yourself you are a good mum and you are doing a great job. :thumbsup:

:hugs::hugs::kiss:

[ZooKeeper]

when starfish does that I just put her up on the shoulder and pat her back for a while, calms her down and brings up any wind, and then she's happy to go back on. also sometimes changing seats can do it, or anything that just gives her a minute or two to collect herself and then she's back at it.

and never think of yourself as useless, you've made two DS and are doing a darn fine job of raising them, starting with BF, which is not as easy as it looks in the pictures in the BF books and pamphlets. there's a reason formula became so popular and I don't think nutrition had much to do with it :cool:

[MilkOnTap]

Ally - you are NOT USELESS!!

What have you eaten? I find that if I eat something that is too spicy or whatever then Jedd will fuss at the boob a lot more than when I eat normally (ie, boring food).

[draught]

Ally - breastfeeding is so hard and so emotional. You are neither an idiot nor useless. Remember that there are two of you learning this new thing - he is learning while you are learning.

I should know this (because I read all the bf posts via email) but have forgotten - have you had contact with the ABA or an LC yet? Call the ABA - they are great and will have a whole host of suggestions of what you can do.

From my experience I had dramas with short cluster feeds in the evening in the early days with DD2 - maybe a whole bunch of short feeds will add up to a 'long feed' and still have the same effect on your supply.

Another really important thing for supply that I am pretty sure you aren't doing at the moment - PUT YOUR FEET UP! You need to rest as much as you can (and with a toddler that is never going to be easy). So try to rest up - lie down even if you don't sleep.

[ikis84]

I was also going to ask if you had tried different positions, or try hand expressing a little to get let-down stimulated and or using a warm washer on the breasts to get the milk flowing (if of course, that's what the problem is :))

:hugs: Try to RELAX, BREATH and let your shoulders down.... if you are stressed, it will prevent let-down from happening as quickly, which can also frustrate bubs.

It will get easier! Before you know it, you and Squeak will be a great breastfeeding team, and it will be sooo easy and enjoyable. I know it's not now, but trust us all - this too will pass :yes:

[Freya]

Ds does this too never got out of the habit now if he wont stay there ill take him off wait then put him back on and so on and so on but i refuse to put im onto formula so I put up with it.. Hang in there!!:hugs:


By the way none of those foods or maxalon helped me. :no:

[au01]

Hi Ally, you are doing a great job don't think for a minute you aren't BF can be frustrating.
Does your breast feel any softer after he feeds?
Just wondering if he may have drained the breast and is getting frustrated waiting for another let-down.
If the flow was too fast he probably would be fussing more towards the start of the feed and possibly choking and gagging.
It may be wind pains some babies really don't give it up easy do they.
My advice is get some fennel tea this is great for increasing your supply and also soothing for bubs tummy helping ease wind pain.
I tried the maxalon but it just made me sick.
Hope things get better soon :hugs:

[Frazzled]

Ally - you are doing a great job! Breathe!

Maybe your milk is coming too fast for him, this used to happen with DS, so I would place two fingers just above the nipple and place gentle pressure on my breast to make the flow a little slower. it helped here, but remember ABA are there too! Use all your support networks.:hugs:

[Sheer Bliss]

Ally - :hugs: you sound like you are exactly where i was a week ago. How is he after a feed - does he settle, play & then sleep well or is he still looking for food the whole time?

I went to a b/f support group last week to sort out our issues, which sound a bit like yours - this is what they told me:

10mins is fine on the boob if he seems to be draining it. It might just be that he is very efficient now and doesn't need as long to get the same amount out.

Is he having wet nappies, being alert, sleeping OK? These are better indications that he is getting enough - i had to remind myself of this - I KNEW those things were indicated, but needed someone else to remind me.

Has there been any weight loss? Small gains are fine - but it's only losses that you need to be majorly concerned about early on.

We ended up coming to the conclusiont hen my DS is a piggy! Lactation consultant said some babies are, and despite what people say - some babies will over eat. MY DS also pukes a heap, more if i give him both sides. One day he took both boobs, plus 60mL of EBM - he was puking it up in HUGE amounts for the next couple of hrs - but still gaining weight/weeing/laughing/sleeping. Maybe your bubs is the same - he is happy to gorge himself and look for more - so he wants it, but doesn't need it? I distract DS with a dummy & chat & play with DD straight after a feed & he soon forgets that he wants more. He will then wait 2 1/2-3hrs before asking for more.

[reAllytee]

Im having trouble replying again !!!! Stupid stupid ISP !!!!

I did write up a big reply the other day but it wouldnt let me post it so will try & remember what i said !

I cant do the football hold it doesnt work for us & i have trouble feeding while laying down cause i dont have big boobs. I still have the good old B cups trying to do their job ! Or maybe its because im not co-ordinated enough !

Ive been watching what im eating so nothing spicy etc with nothing making a difference. He has now been like this for days.

He is attaching properly i make sure of that cause otherwise it brings tears to my eyes lol.

I would be happy for him to be cluster feeding but he isnt even doing that as such he just screams the house down & refuses to go back on boob even though he is showing he is hungry. Im really wondering whether he has reflux due to other signs he is showing

Evan is doing an awesome job of dealing with Boof when he gets home

from work but its hard cause Boof always wants me *sigh*. He is also being a great support its just hard.

Im trying not to be stressed but its hard & im trying to rest but our 'quiet time' tends to be when my blood pressure raises. Boof doesnt beleive in it so trashes his room breaking things etc.

The other day i actually did fall asleep for 40mins which may seem nice but i wish i hadnt. I found that Boof had snuck into the nursery trashing some items in there then moving onto our bedroom where in silence he pulled a few things out including jewellery i thought i had well hidden. I woke to noises which i didnt appreciate ...

Today he has pulled things apart again including pouring cream everywhere :mad: I love him really i do.

My boobs do feel softer after he feeds but thats normal isnt it ?

Havent contacted the ABA cause i feel like an idiot. Stupid i know but i always get into a tiz over things like this !

I would be ok with him spending 10mins on the boob if he was satisfied iykwim instead he starts crying on the boob then pulls off rooting for more. I try to put him back on which is when he starts getting rustrated etc & he starts screaming in hunger. I tried the distraction to see whether he is just being a pig but it didnt work.

He is wetting his nappies & is alert but is not sleeping well which could be adding to the issue. Will have to check his weight again to make sure all is ok otherwise something must me wrong if he has lost more !

[au01]

Oh Ally, don't feel silly asking for help I gave up with DD1 as I had no support.
Went to a LC with DD2 and again (3 times) with DD3 as I was in imense pain.
I found the LC better than talking to someone at ABA as they could see what was happening.
Hope this gets better soon.

[reAllytee]

Well im still going !

Things arent perfect but he is finally staying on longer which is awesome but still roots around for more even after 40mins but i can deal with that after knowing he has spent that time on the boob !

Bought myself 2 new feeding bras today to make sure i stick with it lol .... I have to now i spent the money :p

[ikis84]

Great news Ally :yes:

May your breastfeeding journey get smoother, easier, more enjoyable and be a long-lasting one :smiliedance:

[Funkychicken]

Ally that is fantastic news. You even sound happier in your post! If Squeak is hanging around for 40 minutes, I would say he is definitely doing OK too. :thumbsup:

PS-Yay for new feeding bras! Actually Yay for ANY new bras!:p

[meme]

yay! glad that you are still hanging in there, don't be afraid to just get some reassurance from the aba if nothing else they will (hopefullly )tell you what a great job you are doing ( and you are!) which you need to hear, sometimes alot in the early days.

you know they have a web forum too, if you wanna do it that a way follow the links to the forum from their main page www.breastfeeding.asn.au you will see me there if you want a familiar face too:thumbsup:

it can take some time to get it all happenning, it took me a little while with every baby, but i just hung on to knowing that it would get easier.
i hope that it does get easier for you quickly, and keep us posted and lean on us all for support. we are here for you :hugs:

[reAllytee]

Thanks girls !

Having you all support me & offering advice has been awesome.

Its also nice to know how im feeling is normal & what we are going through is standard :o

[purplefairy]

Have you taken him to see anyone like a breastfeeding consultant or your GP.
I found with my Two you will get mixed advice and it is frustrating. My now 5 month old was doing the same thing and we found out it was reflux. He is on medication for that now which helps. Im still breastfeeding and he is doing fine now. He would cry and cry and tell me he wanted more but his poor little tummy had acid coming back up and causing him heaps of pain. Also my letdown and milk flow was also very strong and bub had to get use to it. How old is Bub? Dont listen to Anyone who tells you its your milk or that he is not getting enough....thats old school....go and get some professional advice and dont beat your self up, see some one who knows what they are talking about.