Help!!!

[MZmama]

Hi All,

I have an issue with breastfeeding/return of AF, and am hoping a wise breastfeeder will be able to inform/help me through this battle..

OK, so AF has just arrived for the first time (:hair::thumbsdown:) when AF is arriving (for a couple days beforehand) my bubs is SUPER fussy, like jerking, pulling off, screaming, thrashing about, extra windy, wont latch, feeding every hour day and night, or totally skipping feeds and going 6 hours without a feed.. This used to happen every month when feeding my DD, which is one of the reasons why i weaned at 9-10 months because it was too hard to hold down a child of that age until they latched, and because it really, really disheartens and upsets me..

so my question is, does this happen to others? And what causes them to act this way?

Is it a different taste, or do I lose supply during this time? :confused:

If someone has some advice I would be super grateful..

TIA :(

[Miss_Vicki]

is it possible you or bubs has thrush ?

[MZmama]

:no: Nope, I actually took him to the doctor on Tuesday, to ensure everything was ok, and he came out with the all clear.. and then today AF arrived, and then all the memories of my DD doing this came flooding back..

[JabberJaw]

My bub does this too. I know when i am getting a visitor :p With my other kiddies i never got AF till after they where weaned, this bub i got them at 6 or 7 months old (i think) She is very fussy at the moment so no doubt they are on there way. I only have trouble a couple of days before they arrive and maybe a day or 2 when i first get them.
I think it may change the taste, not 100% sure but we do make hormones so i am guessing that will change either the flavor or consistancy....my breast feel equally full weather i have AF or i dont.
I have heard of others who have the same problem, the only way to get my DD settled is to lay down on the bed and offer her the breast, well it works for us.
Maybe if you ring the breastfeeding association, they will have some idea....can you express? maybe express some when its 'normal' and store in the freezer for the week of AF..might try that myself!

[MZmama]

Thanks misskelz77.. Its so heartbreaking isnt it. The only way I got him to feed on Monday was to lay down, but that wasnt successful Tuesday, Wednesday or today. He's fussy every feed, but certain ones he downright refuses. :crying:

I had period cramping this morning, thats when the ball dropped and I assumed AF was on its way, but it hasnt showed yet. In a way I hope it comes soon just so I have an answer to his fussiness.

Do you think taking lactation boosting supplements etc will stop the fussiness? Cos part of the frustration is caused from him not staying on long enough for the let down.. :hair:

[JabberJaw]

Thanks misskelz77.. Its so heartbreaking isnt it. The only way I got him to feed on Monday was to lay down, but that wasnt successful Tuesday, Wednesday or today. He's fussy every feed, but certain ones he downright refuses. :crying:

I had period cramping this morning, thats when the ball dropped and I assumed AF was on its way, but it hasnt showed yet. In a way I hope it comes soon just so I have an answer to his fussiness.

Do you think taking lactation boosting supplements etc will stop the fussiness? Cos part of the frustration is caused from him not staying on long enough for the let down.. :hair:

Have you tried the lactation cookies? They are a sticky in the breastfeeding section. Basically cookies with oats,flaxseed meal and brewers yeast....they boost supply and are yum! My hubby and kids like them too!
My child health nurse from way back told me to eat a couple of handfuls of raw peanuts each day too, which is also suppose to help with supply, they have to be in shells, ones that you shell yr self.
Only other thing to help boost supply ( that i can think of) is fenugreek, a herb from the health food shop.

The cookies and peanuts i can vouch for although i never thought to try them when AF was coming. I would avoid peanuts if you have family allergies though just in case!

The only other thing i can think of that may happen to coincide with AF could be teething or a growth spurt. I would maybe just get ears checked to because my DD has also had a ear infection and had no symptoms except flat out refusing to feed especially from the sore side, funnily though she would take water when she was sitting up.....other than that no advice! If only bubbys could tell us what is wrong hey!

[MZmama]

Making the lactation cookies was my next option, so may do that tomorrow and see if the extra supply helps.

I had him fully checked out on Tuesday, so can rule out any infection/illness..

I might also buy raw peanuts as well, how many should I eat daily, and how many cookies do I need to help?

I thought it might of been a growth spurt... last night he slept better though, but just refuses some feeds... and from screaming, latching, pulling off etc is causing extra wind, so now he is uncomfortable from that..

Like you said, if only they could communicate!

[Mrs Nietzsche]

It's absolutely nothing to do with supply. Why *do* people always jump to that conclusion?

It just tastes a bit different and some bubs react, some don't.

My DS did.... also kicked up a stink when I fell pregnant - but it settles.

You might have to think up some tactics for those couple of fussy days - for me, this meant feeding lying down, trying to keep him pretty settled, and so on... feeding whilst really tired and/or asleep also worked fine.

ps. if your baby is hungry enough, he will feed. He wont starve in a couple of days! They way I look at it - there is milk there for him, if he wants it - just try to be relaxed.. I don't bother perservering if he's really fussing about, just wait til he's hungrier and won't turn up his nose at the taste!

[JabberJaw]

I was eating quite a few of the cookies each day, like 8 :laughing: they do have a fair bit of sugar but i halved that! also i mad half batches because it makes soooooooo many! I think you can freeze the dough though and bake later.
The nurse told me a couple of big handfuls of peanuts, which i had maybe 3 handfulls! ( piggy here)
Also up your water intake if you have the cookies, they make you get the dry horrors!

For wind i did use infacol, and also a great little herbal one i got from the healthfood shop, colic drops i think they where called (herbal ones never worked for bub but did for the other kids)
Avoid fizzy drinks too! I cant drink coke :(

[MZmama]

It's absolutely nothing to do with supply. Why *do* people always jump to that conclusion?

Thanks Maire, I didnt think it was supply, but thought I'd ask to be sure, because atleast then I could up my supply each month to avoid this.


I was eating quite a few of the cookies each day, like 8 :laughing: they do have a fair bit of sugar but i halved that! also i mad half batches because it makes soooooooo many! I think you can freeze the dough though and bake later.

The nurse told me a couple of big handfuls of peanuts, which i had maybe 3 handfulls! ( piggy here)
Also up your water intake if you have the cookies, they make you get the dry horrors!

For wind i did use infacol, and also a great little herbal one i got from the healthfood shop, colic drops i think they where called (herbal ones never worked for bub but did for the other kids)
Avoid fizzy drinks too! I cant drink coke :(

Thanks again, will do the shopping today and get the ingredients for the cookies and some raw peanuts!

I did try infacol for the wind, but hasnt been much help.

Did you also find bubs was unsettled at night? He was such a good sleeper, now not so much.

[OurLittleBlessing]

Thanks misskelz77.. Its so heartbreaking isnt it. The only way I got him to feed on Monday was to lay down, but that wasnt successful Tuesday, Wednesday or today. He's fussy every feed, but certain ones he downright refuses. :crying:

I had period cramping this morning, thats when the ball dropped and I assumed AF was on its way, but it hasnt showed yet. In a way I hope it comes soon just so I have an answer to his fussiness.

Do you think taking lactation boosting supplements etc will stop the fussiness? Cos part of the frustration is caused from him not staying on long enough for the let down.. :hair:

Hi emandmya,

I have been going through the same thing the past couple of days, and sure enough it was AF arriving. I only made the connection a couple of months ago, but it does seem that AF turns my daughter into a very fussy feeder indeed. (My AF returned before she was 2 months old). Yesterday she went 7 hours between feeds. Which had me a little worried, but like a pp said, the milk is there and she will feed when she is hungry enough.

One thing I have found to sometimes help:
I sit in her rocking chair with the room darkened and put on her lullabies CD. This will often relax her enough to have a feed.

Good luck! It should only last a couple of days :fingerscrossed:

[MZmama]

Thanks OurlittleBlessing.. every day I think AF will arrive so I get an answer, but he's been fussing since Monday, and no AF as yet..I just want him to settle, want a feed and sleep good at night again!

[OurLittleBlessing]

Thanks OurlittleBlessing.. every day I think AF will arrive so I get an answer, but he's been fussing since Monday, and no AF as yet..I just want him to settle, want a feed and sleep good at night again!

:hugs: It's hard when they aren't sleeping as well as they usually do.

As difficult as it probably is, just try and make feed time relaxing for you as well! Bubs will pick up on your stress, and it can inhibit your let down reflex sometimes.

Also, not sure if you are, but don't try and 'force' the feeds. I used to make that mistake, and all it did was turn feeding into a huge source of stress for us both.

As long as there are no signs of dehydration, your DS won't go too hungry, and will feed 'properly' again soon.

If you can, try and get some rest during the day. :hugs: