Nursing and pregnant??

Question

I am currently nursing my almost 4 month old son. He is almost never a fussy baby and always eat well. But for the past few days he latches on to my nipple, sucks a few times, and immediatly lets go and fusses.. he does this several times before he finally just gives in and eats.
I've heard that this can be a sign of pregnancy because my milk may taste different.
Has anyone else ever heard of or experienced this?
Thanks!!

I'm certain it is not a decrease in milk production. My breasts become full and painful. I can sqeeze them and express milk out.

Answer 1

It's possible you could be pregnant, but there are some more likely reasons for this:

Your fertility could be returning. Changes in the menstrual cycle can cause changes in the taste of the milk, and also in supply. Some women note nipple tenderness as well as babies fussing at the breast.

Teething could be upon you. It can take several months for the first teeth to erupt, with little or no outward signs that teething is the culprit for fussy behavior. The teeth must move from up within the jaw out into the gums, and it can be a slow, uncomfortable process for many babies.

Your baby could have a mild illness, such as a sore throat, that makes it uncomfortable to suck and/or swallow. Earaches and ear infections can also cause this behavior-- it's almost impossible to tell when a baby this young has a simple ear *ache*, other than fussy behavior and perhaps a little bit of pulling at the ears. If it becomes a true ear infection, there are other telltale signs such as fever, sometimes even vomiting, a hot, red spot on the cheek near the ear, and the obvious screaming in pain.

Thrush (oral yeast infection) can cause discomfort in the mouth as well. If you or baby show any signs of yeast (oral and/or nipple thrush), such as white spots inside the baby's cheeks and on the tongue, or burning pain in the nipples, with a shiny bright red, even scaly appearance (this can extend to the areola and even past it onto the breast itself), you will both need to be treated regardless of whether both are showing symptoms. Otherwise it will just pass from baby's mouth to your nipples, and back and forth, and you treat one but not the other.

There are certainly other reasons as well, including the possibility that he is frustrated at not getting an immediate letdown. (Has he had bottles? Some babies get frustrated with breastfeeding after becoming accustomed to the instant gratification bottles offer.)

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

Does he get bottles as well as your breast?

The bottle and breast are totally different mechanics. He gets a quicker reward with a bottle. If he is used to getting bottles, he may be getting lazy/frustrated that he has to work harder to get his milk at the breast.

It may also just be that he is distracted. This is common around this age as he is really beginning to notice more about the world around him. Try removing distractions. Nurse in a dimly lit, quiet room.

He could also be starting to teethe.

Has your period even returned yet? If you are exclusively breastfeeding a 4 mos old and haven't seen your period yet, the odds of pregnancy are pretty low.

http://www.kellymom.com

http://www.nursingtwo.com

Answer 3

No, I don't think it is very liekly that it is pregnancy. My son did that at around that time, too. I think they just get a little bored and are at an age where you can start experiementing with food. Also, it could be something you have eaten. Most likely its just him acting like a 4 months old!!!

Answer 4

yes i have herd that, but it can also be because you dont have any milk, are you certain you do? i have herd pregnancy can decrease milk flow, and have herd the opposite too. but i would pump to start with and see if anything is comming out. my son did this and come to find ou i wasnt producing enough milk all of a sudden.