Breast refusal

[lovemybub]

My DD (15 weeks old), who is normally a good feeder, has been refusing to feed today. She doesn't have a fever, although she is sweating quite a bit (mainly because she is crying a lot I think). I have noticed that she hasn't been feeding as well over the last few days, ie not draining the breast properly, to the point where I had to express a whole heap of milk last night because I was getting sore and hard towards the back of my breast.

I think I have managed to stave of mastitis for now, but I had to express another whole feed this morning because she wouldn't take that either.

A few weeks ago she was fussy like this and I thought she might have been having teething pains, but she was drooling a lot at that time and showing other classic teething signs which she's not showing now (no teeth yet either, by the way).

Suddenly all my wisdom and logic has flown out the window, along with Dr Karp's 'magic tricks' that have always worked so well for me.

Does anyone know what might be wrong with my little cherub? I'm running out of ideas (and sanity, and patience... :banghead: )

[Goosie22]

Hi lovemybub,
No answers from me about what is wrong with your baby only have you eaten anything different lately? Otherwise its probably a stage and I am sure she will come around in the end. Good idea with the expressing and just keep offering the breast. Have you checked the ABA site they have an article about coping with breast refusal.

http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/refusal.html

[jarrahsmumma]

What Goosie said - keep offering and express to maintain supply. It is more than likely a little phase... (((hugs))) hope you sort it out..

[lovemybub]

Thanks girls. I have read the breast refusal info at the ABA site. I read it last time we had this fussy period.

I am feeling a little more like my usual rational self now and a little calmer. Thank goodness for calm DHs at times like these! :kiss:

We went to the doctor and he said her tummy is very gurgly, so it's possible that she's just not feeling 100%. At any rate, I've been able to get her to take a little bit from the breast since writing and she's now sleeping (for how long, though, is anyone's guess...)