breastmilk causing pain?

[k&Hmum]

11 month old dd is starting to worry me. she is breastfed exclusively to a pint that she will not eat barely any other solids. she will have maybe 2 teaspoons of solids and thats it. she just wants the breast again and again. she feeds so much at night that i have to sleep with her or we both get no sleep. she feeds about 6 times a night for long periods of time.

also when she feeds she pulls and stretches the breast and shakes her head on it and turns this way and that while still attatched. she even does headstands while attatched to the breast. ive never seen a child do this.

she also grunts and pushes like she has awful wind or needs to poo everytime she feeds even if she has just gone. she cant sleep because the pain wakes her and thats why she wants to feed again.

she has to feed to sleep, will not go to sleep any other way. she will not take a bottle for me either but im desperate to get her off the breast because i have to work and she is causing me too much pain with constantly split nipples.

sorry for the long post but i have tried everywhere else i can think of for help and noone has had the answers.

[bubhub]

(posted on behalf of Pinky)

Hi k&Hmum
Sounds like a few issues here - firstly, you dont have to let your baby hurt
you by doing gymnastics while she feeds - if she is pulling your nipples
etc, gently remove her from the breast - this is the beginning of gentle
limit setting.

You mention you have sore nipples - as baby is very squirmy, have you
considered the possibility of candida (thrush) ? This can make babies very
'windy'. Have either of you had recent antibiotics/ eat a diet high in
sugar? You may both benefit from treatment for this - see a health
practitioner for diagnosis and dietary recommendations.

Re wind - if baby's squirming is due to wind/ tummy pains it could help to
learn some tummy massage strokes and to address your own diet -she may be
sensitive to foods passing through your milk - dairy? citrus? soy?
chocolate? Your baby's reluctance to eat solids may also be due to
allergies. You could keep a food diary and see if there seems to be a
relationship between diet and behaviour and see a health professional who
specialises in allergies - some dieticians and GPs are also lactation
consultants. See the Lactation consultants Association (ALCA) website page
'find a lactation consultant'.

Re drinks in a cup- sometimes babies will take drinks from another person
other than mum with the millky boobies - do you have somebody else to offer
drinks?

Re solids - have you tried letting her feed herself - soft fingerfoods eg
cooked veges/ soft fruits/ rusks/ toast? or give her a spoon so she can feed
\herself as you feed her.

Re night feeds - one tip at night is to feed then turn baby with her back to
you so the boob isnt 'in her face' .I have more comprehemsive night weaning
tips and gentle suggestions to wean from feeding to sleep in my book
Sleeping Like a Baby" .

Re exhaustion - please get some hands on help and be kind to yourself so
your own resources are replenished.

Best of luck,
Pinky