Please help - feeding fight!

[Kayangel]

My 3mth old wont feed for more then a couple of mintures and this is only after i force him on, he keeps pulling off, screams when i offer him the boob, his not having enough wet nappies and has been crying all day, im pulling my hair out :hair:, i dont no wat to do with him, im sick, stressed, alone, i cant get him to feed or stop crying.

Any advice would be great? What do i do?

[MountainGirl]

take a break. give him a warm bath and try and calm him down and get him to sleep. Drink some water to rehydrate yourself,....... and try again when he wakes up or is more settled:hugs:

[threechooks]

If it doesnt improve within 12 hours get ur baby to a GP or hospital. Does ur baby have a temp?

[Kayangel]

He doesnt have a temp, his just had a bath and is still not wanting to feed.

[Funkychicken]

Kayangel, I had this happen with my DS when he was 4 months old. It can be quite a common experience at around 3-4 months. If there is no illness in evidence, then it could be a classic nursing strike. There are a number of threads about this on here-I'll see if I can find some links to save you hunting. Otherwise you can google nursing strike.

There can be a number of factors that contribute to why this happens. You could be returning to your menstrual cycle and this can dramatically change the taste of your milk. There could be early teeth coming through.

Whatever is causing it though, and I know exactly how stressful it is (I was terrified when my bub did this!), you need to keep offering the breast. if possible, climb into bed with your bub and just lie together with your breast within reach of his mouth. If he is tired (which he sounds like would be with all the crying) he will most likely begin to drift off. This is an ideal time to pop your breast to his mouth as he may latch on without thinking about it and feed off to sleep.

OK, I'll see what I can find for you.

:hugs:

[Funkychicken]

OK, have a look at THIS (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html) site. Also, have a look at the ABA (http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/products/counselling.asp) site. This page is to the help line area and it may be worth giving them a call. talking to someone in the first person will help to alleviate your stress and concern. You can try calling now and you may be able to chat straight away or you can leave a message and someone will call you back as soon as they can.

Remember, this is in no way your baby trying to wean or tell you they want more (ie; formula). At three months, as long as there is no medical reason, your baby should be back on the breast within 24-48 hours.

If you feel you have a lowered supply, get some fenugreek tablets from your health food shop and take 1-2 a day for a few days and this will help to increase your supply and cannot harm you or your baby.
Also, continue drinking heaps of water to keep your hydration levels up.

All the best. :hugs:

[neostudded]

Thanks funcky chicken for helping Kayangel, you gave her some good information, I have only just seen this thread now.

Kayangel, my son did this at about 3-4 months of age, I was worried that he seemed to be having next to nothing but he survived it.

It is hard work though and I wish I could be there to help you out with baby Jaylen, I now how demanding breastfeeding can be at times.

Your doing so well with him hun, just hang in there and feel free to vent or whatever here I will listen to you!

Also, maybe his teeth as shifting around a little? ****y chickens post was very helpful.

[Kayangel]

Funkychicken- Thank you for all ur advice, it is great, very helpful. I have read through the infomation u gave me and also contected the ABA. I really appreciate ur help once again thank you :hugs:.

neostudded- Thank you for ur support.