why are breastfed babies so fussy?

Question

I understand that it's because they have to eat more often so naturally they are fussy more often when they want their food.

I agree that breastfeeding is best for the baby, especially in the first few crucial days. But my medication forces me to bottle feed, so please don't preach.

My friend's baby is breastfed and incredibly fussy. My baby girl is so good, so attentive and active and her baby just screams and screams. She can't take it sometimes, she drops her off at my house so she can clear her head. And of course, the baby is fussy for me too. Because of this, she's slowly weaning her and moving her towards bottles, and she's been MUCH happier, we saw her smile for the first time!

I guess my question is...
Do you think that the added health benefits of breastfeeding are worth the stress the baby goes through being hungry ALL the time? I want my baby to feel full. I myself was a bottle fed baby and I'm thin, bright, happy, and healthy, as are all my sibs.

My medication is for hypoglycemia, its genetic, NO its not because my mother didn't breastfeed me =)

I agree Jatay... maybe it is just her personality, but she's been happier on the bottle. It's hard to tell what two things are correlated, if at all.

" And yes, I still agree that all of the benefits of breastfeeding a baby is well worth the stress "

--i more meant the stress of the BABY, her baby screams like she's being hurt because she doesn't get enough to eat..

Answer 1

Maybe the baby isn't getting enough breastmilk? My son wasn't doing well with breastfeeding because he was always hungry. I switched him to formula and he was able to down 4 ounces at a feeding and was much happier. Maybe your friend should pump to see if she is producing enough or to help increase her supply.

Answer 2

Fussy Breastfed Baby

Answer 3

i think if your baby is fussy while you are nursing then its probably something the mother has had to eat or drink that isn't agreeing with the babies tummy.
I have 2 breastfed children and 1 bottle fed child and they were all equally good babies and not fussy at all. I found i also had an over abundance of milk so my babies were always content.
I would be more inclined to believe that a bottle fed baby is more fussy just because they have that gas build up that you don't always get with a baby that is nursed, and some formulas can even make a baby fussy.

Answer 4

I think you're generalizing too much. Just because your friend's breastfed baby is fussy doesn't mean all (or even most) breastfed babies are fussy.

In fact, my experience has been very much the opposite...Bottle fed babies take in much more air, and need a lot more burping than breastfed babies, so I have found that they are more fussy.

I was bottle fed, but my daughter was breastfed. We're both bright, happy and healthy, so your assumption isn't a viable scientific analysis.

My sister was allergic to breastmilk...It's possible that your friend's baby has a problem digesting what she's eating. If that's the case, then she should definitely find something that works better.

I think it's more specific to the child than it is to the feeding method. Some babies do better with breastmilk, some babies do better with formula. Try not to "throw the baby out with the bath water", so to speak.

Answer 5

I don't think breastfeeding makes the baby fussy, I think all babies are different and have different personalities just like adults do.

My baby is 4 months old and exclusively breastfed, she is a very happy baby. She isn't fussy at all unless she's tired. And she isn't hungry ALL the time either, she eats about every 3 hours. My best friend's son is a formula baby and is fussy all the time. But that doesn't mean that all formula fed babies are fussy, in fact my cousin's baby is formula fed and she is a cheerful little baby.

Some babies are more sensitive to certain types of formulas just like some breastfed babies are more sensitive to dairy in their mother's diet and in either case they may get gas and be fussy. I hope things work out for your friend & her baby. :)

Answer 6

You're making a generalization out of 2 babies that are fussy.
Breastfed babies are normally very calm and sedate because of the physical and emotional closeness with the mom. That is, if the mom is not having problems or concerns about breastfeeding. The baby can quickly pick up signals from the mom, and reflect back the tension they sense from mom. My daughter has breastfed 5 babies, all of whom were very laid back, calm, and happy/healthy babies. If your environment isn't one that supports breastfeeding, or if the mom is really not into it, it's not going to work. Your friend may need to see a lactation counselor, find out about new positions, or surroundings to nurse in. She may find that the baby isn't getting enough milk, or has to work too hard for it.
She may also need to burp the baby more frequently. There are a number of reasons for the fussiness, and unfortunately,
the mom is the one who has to figure it out. Sounds like your friend could use some professional/medical help - there's got to be a reason the baby is so fussy.

Answer 7

Well, I wouldn't say ALL breastfed babies are fussy. However, from what you have described, I would say that the baby is fussy because she is probably underfed. Babies eat a lot and often. Just because they turn away from the breast doesn't mean that they are full it could mean that they are tired and frustrated because they can not get enough food.

Breast feeding is tricky. The baby has to be attached to the breast in a certain way in order for it to extract the most milk. Also, there could be an issue that the breast itself could have issues that prevents the baby from extracting food easily. The baby does have to work at eating and if its difficult it will tire and get ...as you say fussy. Remember, that’s it’s only form of communication at this stage.

I would suggest that your friend get a breast pump and put the milk in a bottle. That way she can provide all the nutrients of breast milk with the ease of a bottle. The best of both worlds.

Answer 8

First of all, it is NOT true that breastfed babies are more fussy than bottle fed babies. All babies are different, and some (breastfed or bottle fed) are fussier than others.

It is true that breastfed babies need to nurse more often since breast milk is digested more quickly. Some mothers are wrongly advised to schedule or limit their baby's feedings, which can certainly cause fussiness. Your bottle fed baby would probably be fussy too if you didn't feed her often enough! Nursing babies who are fed on cue are not hungry all the time. My daughter was allowed to nurse as often and for as long as she needed to - she was very happy baby who rarely fussed at all. It could be that your friend's baby isn't getting fed often enough, or needs to be held more, or whatever.

It's not fair or accurate to say a baby is fussy just because she is breastfed.

Answer 9

My baby is exclusively breastfed and she's happy unless it's been a long time since she ate. Even as a newborn she was really happy. She wasn't hungry all the time. In fact I had to wake her up to eat more often so I wouldn't lose my milk. She's slept through the night (at least 6-8 hours) since she was 2 weeks old. She's healthy and gaining weight well.

I have a niece who on the other hand cried and screamed constantly. She didn't smile till she was one. She scowled at everyone. She nursed constantly and had to be on the breast all the time if she was awake. It's all personality. It has nothing to do with the bottle.

Answer 10

My son is 2.5 months and breastfed and he is NEVER fussy. He is a really good baby... he sleeps through the night already, as well. I don't think that every breastfed baby is fussy.. you are stereotyping because of your friend. Maybe your friend's baby would be fussy regardless. And yes, I still agree that all of the benefits of breastfeeding a baby is well worth the stress and EVERY minute of it. I had an extremely challenging time with breastfeeding the first month because of pain and nipple soreness... and it was worth it.

Answer 11

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
why are breastfed babies so fussy?
I understand that it's because they have to eat more often so naturally they are fussy more often when they want their food.

I agree that breastfeeding is best for the baby, especially in the first few crucial days. But my medication forces me to bottle feed, so please don't preach....