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~Kimba~
12-01-2007, 12:20
DS is 13 weeks today and being a holy terror this week - refusing to nap in the day, he screams every time we put him down and none of our usual settling techniques are working (not even feeding to sleep). So of course he's overtired which just makes it worse. Today is day 5 of this behaviour, and I'm sooooo frazzled which is no good for my supply either, after working so hard to build it up.

Now I'm not sure if it's related, but on top of this he's started refusing the breast :gloomy: which just makes me feel like cr@p. Not every feed, but at least once a day this week - today he absolutely screamed when I put him near the breast and wouldn't go near it let alone latch on, he was so distressed.

He's never done that, he's always loved the boob even through all my supply issues, any time he was upset he would always be calmed by a boob and was always more than eager to have either a feed or a comfort suck. He's been fussy at times of low supply, thrashing and pulling on and off, but never outright refused me without even trying to latch. So to have him rejecting me now is totally bewildering and makes me really sad.

If he was refusing me at his last feed before bed when he gets his evening ABM comp, that could make sense (as my supply is almost non-existent by his bedtime). But it's been happening even at mid-morning and he's usually happily breastfed at that time.

Any idea why he might be doing this? Is it related to the sleep refusal/ overtiredness? Is this just a '3 month old' thing? Will it pass? (please say yes LOL)

I just hope he's not starting to wean, I was hoping to be BFing him at least till he's 6 months (when I return to work) and hopefully right through till 12 months.

Pinky McKay
21-01-2007, 11:49
Hi Kimbaleo,

Sorry about the delay replying to your question - I really cant 'diagnose' through an email - I would advise taking your baby to a Dr to be checked seeing this isnt his typical behaviour.
However, one thing is certain - 3 month old babies dont 'wean themselves' so please dont worry about that.

I am a bit concerned that you are describing your bub as a 'holy terror' - his crying is a signal that something is upsetting him, not that he is badly behaved -Im sure you know this and it's an expression of your frustration, but please try and see things from his tiny perpective.

Crying may be due to a range of causes - such as illness - Sore ears/ sore throats can affect wilingness to feed. Other possibilities can be food sensitivity/ allergies/ reflux/.

Breast refusal/ supply issues can also be associated with the mini-pill - some mothers find babies upset whilst on this too. Other possibilities for a baby not wanting to feed could be as simple as hot weather making baby feel uncomfortable at being held close or mum using a different deodorant - imagine being up close and personal to fumes from a highly perfumed deodorant as you are trying to drink!

Please get your baby checked by a health professional to rule out illness and I do hope things settle quickly.

Pinky