My baby gets very fussy at the breast, but is still hungry. What should I do?

Question

My baby is 2 1/2 months old and has always breastfed well. Now she feeds well for a few minutes and then gets very fussy and squirms a lot at the breast. I can manually express milk from the nipple, so I know there is a milk supply, but she acts as if she is not getting any milk, or doesn't want any more - but is still acting hungry afterwards. What do I do?

Answer 1

There are several reasons she could be fussy at the breast -- growth spurt, ear infection, etc.

However, what it sounds like to me is that she's frustrated with the flow. It's often right around 3 months that many women's milk supply settles down. Your body usually starts out making too much milk for the baby (assuming you were nursing on demand), and eventually, it eases up to just what the baby needs. Therefore, your letdown can slow down a bit. So, baby nurses through the letdown, then gets mad that the flow is slower and she has to work harder to get it.

This happened with both my daughters, and it was frustrating, but we worked through it. One thing you can do is keep trying to put her back on the same breast and do breast compressions to help keep the milk flowing a bit faster. You can also try switching back and forth more often during a nursing session to help keep baby happy as your milk supply readjusts to her needs and she adjusts to the change in flow.

You're doing a great job so far. Just continue being patient, and things will probably work themselves out.

Answer 2

Please don't give your baby cereal or solids yet, I know that's what our parents used to do years ago, but the babies stomach and intestinal track isn't developed enough for that until 4-6 months! My baby did the same thing at 3 months. I noticed that if I was standing she took it but as soon as I sat, she cracked it! She also hates one particular side, and will not take that breast at all if she goes on it second. So I always put her on that side first! She may be teething, are her cheeks pink? If in doubt you could give her breast milk and then if she's still carrying on top her up with formula. If she doesn't want that then she's probably full. My baby does it sometimes after a feed and all she wants is a burp or as soon as I give her a dummy she shuts up and goes to sleep, so I know shes not hungry. Try that!

Answer 3

You are doing a good job!! Dont quit or give up... she is going through a growth spurt.... She will be fine... If you want to make sure she is getting enough milk take her to the doctor & weigh her then breast feed her & weigh her again.. and it will show you how much she just ate. WIC is really good with this ....Call WIC even if you dont qualify & ask them for their Mom's clinic & they will help you weigh your baby before you feed him & after.

Also you can pump between feeds to help get your brest ingurged, so you will have plenty of milk to feed your baby.

But breast feeding is hard work for you & your baby. If you put her on a bottle she might not want the breast again. The bottle is easy & the breast is harder for them to get the milk so they have to work harder.

Le Leche Leauge has great support I have used them a few times. go to yahoo or google & type in le leche leauge & the state you live in then click on it... they give you free advise on phones. This is a group of experience breastfeeding moms who help other moms.

Good Luck,

I breastfed 4 of 5 of my babies... the one I didnt do as long constantly got sick with colds until recently (she's 16months now)

Answer 4

You already know that as your baby gets older, various parts of the body expand and change rapidly. A baby's palette will change frequently over the first year. A lactation specialist can be helpful in these situations to teach you different manuevers to keep the infant latched on. Sometimes finger placement around the nipple helps. Another thing you may want to consider is any ear problems. Suckling causes an unpleasant pain in the ears when an infection is present. Look for early signs of an ear infection (crying more than normal, redness of inner ear, pulling or patting at lobes) Regardless of the problem, commend yourself for trying, and don't give up just yet. Consult a professional that can give you a one -on-one session with you and your baby.

Answer 5

Your baby could be fussy for a variety of reasons:

1. She's teething (it sounds a bit early, but my nephew had teeth by the time he was 3 months old...so don't rule it out.) When babies teeth they tend to go on nursing strikes because their teeth hurt.

2. Do you feed her a bottle too (with formula or breastmilk)? If so, make sure the nipple size is the smallest available (-1mo...infant). If the baby gets milk too easily from a bottle, she may not want to put in the work of breastfeeding.

Hang in there!

Answer 6

I see so many people telling moms to feed their young young babies rice cereal! Your baby my be hungry, don't feed her that until at least 4 months of age. Babies go through lots of developmental stages in the first year that interfere with everything. She may even be teething, it is early, but it is possible. You really really should just keep at it. It will pass. Call the La Leche League they will love to help you. So many moms give up and end up starting solids too early or on formula. The very best thing you can do is be calm, and quiet and patient and diligent. Good Luck.

Answer 7

my son did that same thing
but at 4 1/2 months
i had to give him formula
cuz his weight was a big concern for us

but he did not like the boob any more i was so sad at that
he is 7 months now and i still try to express it out in a bottle 4 him
but i dont have much at all
so i have to do the formula thing from now on

Answer 8

maybe she is feeling tension from you? or quite possibley she is ready for your expressed milk through a bottle to get more, this way you can see exactly how much she is drining. keep calm and try not to worry. Keep trying her on your breast but make sure you are both relaxed this is very important!!!!!!!!
If you have any concerns dont hesitate to contact your health visitor. They can advise and put your mind at peace.

Answer 9

could be going through a growth spurt and truly is hungry again. i wouldn't give up. if she is still acting hungry, then feed her. it should probably go away in a few days.

Answer 10

Keep trying and pump milk some baby's go on booby strikes i know that sounds funny but they do so pump and keep trying.also check for thrush would be little white patches in baby's mouth kinda looks like curdled milk kinda.if she does you need to get that taken care of can be passed back and forth.and its painful for her and if you get it it hurts to. best of luck