18 week old fussy feeds

[Snugabugz]

My DS2 is becoming a nightmare to feed. Whenever he latches on he pulls away and cries. I have to reattach him many times before he starts to feed and when successful he'll settle down and feed for half an hour to an hour

I used to have a fast let down and was advised to block feed and express some off in the mornings. I think this has slowed down now he's older and maybe he's getting frustrated that the milk is not coming fast enough . He hits and punches my boob and pulls my hair. I have found walking around whilst feeding can help keep him latched on

The confusing thing is he doesn't appear very hungry during the day. He is very nosy and easily distracted. Sometimes he'll fuss for five minutes, get a bit of milk then I take him off frustrated and he seems fine. Yesterday I decided not to 'force' him to stay on and he didn't really have a proper feed til late afternoon, which meant he was up four times in the night starving

I remember DS1 doing the same and I weaned him onto baby rice at 17 weeks which sorted the problem, I wanted to wait until DS2 was 6 months before weaning but I am so stressed I am tempted to offer baby rice to see if it makes a difference. It's like the milk is not satisfying but eventually he gives in as its the only thing on offer,

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Thanks

[Vinnyinny]

Hi, my DS is going through a similar thing. He's 20 weeks old and for the past couple of weeks he has really fussy at the boob before finally settling down. I can feel my let down and I now know that he is bashing me and grabbing at me because he wants the milk to let down. When it does, he settles down for a nice feed.

It's also taken me all this time to work out that unlike DS1, DS2 wants to feed less often and for longer. He will go 3 hours between feeds and will often then take both sides. He couldn't be more different to his brother and at first it really unnerved me.

I find that all of this has led to me feeling anxious when feeding which affects my let-down, which in turn annoys DS2 and makes him grab and fuss more.

I would wait for clear cues that he is hungry and persist with his feed once he has latched on. It sounds like he settles once your milk lets down.

My DS is not quite easily overstimulated and distracted while feeding (DS1 is practicing being an elephant at the moment - very loudly!). Would feeding somewhere relaxing help? The best feeds DS2 has is in bed at night.

Sorry for the essay- hope it helps

[Snugabugz]

Thanks for the advice. Nice to know I am not the only one. On the three days a week my eldest is at nursery I can find quiet places to feed but the other four days a week I just feed when I can. DS2 will wait til his brother has gone to bed before feeding so I tried expressing and giving him a bottle at tea time to tide him over. Funnily enough he does the same with the bottle. He will drink about an ounce then fuss and cry before eventually settling down. This is what made me think he is not satisfied with milk. I have also found feeding him when he's just woken up works as he's still sleepy and not as aware of his surroundings

Thanks again