breastfeeding?

Question

My 10wk old daughter will only calm down when I nurse her. I have 2 other children and this is the first time I have breastfed. But now all she want to do is nurse. I have tried rocking her, and talking to her, I have tried skin on skin contact and playing with her, I have tried Mylicone drops, and changing her diaper, giving her a warm bath, and putting her in her crib to walk away. She calms down immediately when put to breast, but she doesn't eat she only suckles, but she wont suck on a binki or on my finger, what do I do. I can't sit and let her suck all day? Help

Answer 1

If this behavior has only been going on for a few days, she's probably going through a growth spurt. It's about the right age for one. Her constantly stimulating your breasts will increase your milk production and if you're not getting really engorged, then she is definitely drinking her fill :)

Breastfed babies do this periodically and it generally coincides with a growth spurt (bottle feeding moms would be adding more formula to the bottle because the baby would be draining the bottle at each feeding.)

If this is not a new behavior, and does not resolve after a few days time (give it no more than a week) then it could be "colic" which is not always a gastro issue (although I had two that lived on those Mylicon drops!) but sometimes more a neuro issue. Was she early? Small? Have a difficult delivery? Is your house loud? Are you tense? It could be anything like that... and she's just a bit overstimulated. Some babies are just a bit more neurogically *raw* than others.

For the moment, assuming this has only been going on for a couple of days (although I know it seems like longer, you must be so tired!) just try to really relax... DRINK, DRINK, DRINK fluids - no caffiene or chocolate... and just sit and nurse her as frequently as she needs right now. Other things can wait... try to use those times to talk or read to the other two children so they don't feel left out.

Avoid foods that might give the baby gas and use Mylicon if she gets gassy... and just hold on for a few days and see if this behavior stops on its own by your milk production increasing.

If the behavior doesn't stop in a few days time... then give the pede a call and take her in. It could be she has another source of discomfort and she's just not able to tell you. I wouldn't rush to that conclusion, but at this age, a good once over might tell you if she's *just colicky* or if there's another cause. They can check her weight and everything... make sure she's doing well.

Best of luck to you... rest when you can... and remember that this too will pass :)

Answer 2

I second the "get a sling" advice. Wear your baby as much as possible. Otherwise keep doing what you are doing! If her comfort and emotional needs are being met, then she probably needs to suckle. She might be going through a growth spurt or she might be cluster feeding. Does this happen at a certain time of the day moreso than others? Is it just sudden or has it been happening from the beginning? I'd suggest going with it right now rather than against it. Settle in on a comfy chair, get a book or movie series and just nurse her. It's a great excuse to sit down and relax for a while.

Answer 3

Is she going through a growth spurt? If she is, she will want to nurse all day for a little bit, until your supply catches up with her.

Or maybe she just doesn't like the brand of binki? Some kids only like the latex ones. Some kids only like silicone. Different guards feel different on the face, and each pacifier is shaped differently. You may have to try a few until you find one she likes.

Answer 4

My son wouldn't take a pacifier either in the early weeks. I assure though, that as your baby grows up more and get interested in other things, she won't be stuck to your boob all the time. I was realy worrie din the begininng too because all of my friends' babies were formula fed and took a paci but my son didn't. I was told that this was normal because most breasfed babies prefer the breast over an artificial nipple. Just take heart that this stage doesn't last forever and that the sucking builds up a good milk supply for your little one. Try to take it as a compliment that your baby feels you are the best kind of comfort there is!

Answer 5

It's probably a growth spurt. The best thing to do is keep nursing her until this passes, which it will. I have 4 children and still nursed my baby through his growthspurt. It's part of being a mother of more than one child..it's not her fault and you should care for her as well as you did the other 2. My baby is going through a growth spurt and teething now and I still nurse him whenever he wants even though I have 3 other children to take care of..it's stuff you have to think about before having more children.

Answer 6

First off, congratulations on the new baby and your decision to breastfeed. It was the most rewarding experience for me with all three of my kids. Growth spurts will happen and the baby will need to eat more and for longer periods. I don't recommend (personal opinion) a pacifier. Have you tried getting a baby carrier or sling to carry the baby with you at all times? This way she's with you, and you are able to still deal with the other kids. Dr. Sears has a great concept called "attachment parenting." I've attached the links to the website below. Highly recommend it!

Answer 7

It took my little girl 6 different types of binkies before we found one she liked. She and I would sit for hours while I was nursing and she would not eat I finally figured out that she just need pratice sucking. Be patient and keep trying different ones you'll find the right one. Good Luck

Answer 8

Try getting a sling. The feeling of being snuggled up in one close to mommy often helps calm a fussy baby, plus it frees your hands up to care for your other child!
I use my sling every single day, it is a real life saver.

Answer 9

Break that habit now!!

If you think its tough now... a few weeks, months from now she will be breast-spoiled. She'll be hard to wean and you'll have a harder time then with the same problem you have now, because she'll be even more used to being comforted with breast. If you know nothings wrong, lay her down, and go outside for 5 minutes. It might be hard for a few days, but it won't take long for her to learn.

Answer 10

My lil girl did that I couldnt get her to take a binky but the day care put her in a swing and put it in her mouth rolled up a recieving blanket and used it to hold it in her mouth until she got use to it after a week she was taking it and not attached to me all day(it is very stressful and i feel for you truely I do I breastfeed all 4 of my kids I know )