Breastfeeding

[JonW]

Any tips on a fussy breastfeeder?  He takes sometimes, and cries others.  Maybe this is how it always is?  This is our first.

[Iuvenalis]

Any tips on a fussy breastfeeder?  He takes sometimes, and cries others.  Maybe this is how it always is?  This is our first.

From my wife:

Position, position, position. Make sure the baby is comfortable, make sure he's "tummy-to-tummy" and also vary the positions until they find the position that's comfortable at that particular feeding (it varies). This includes switching breasts.

Secondly, make sure you burp the baby every so often. If he's gassy, he'll be pissed.

Thirdly, make sure he has a good 'latch' otherwise he'll swallow a lot of air and be fussy.

Lastly (this is from me, not my wife), make sure they're dry/clean. My daughter did not like having a diaper situation, ever. It's easy to forget when you change diapers so much, but it might be that at times.

It will probably be different things like this at different feedings.

Keep trying! It's worth it!

[Iuvenalis]

My wife added another...

Make sure to feed the baby in the same place. She'd feed on the end of the couch during the day, and a different place at night, but the same place always.

Reason being, the baby knows it's 'feeding time' with all these external queues.

[upswife]

see a good lactation consultant...it will be worth it if your wife is having trouble

[Jacafamala]

Congrats, JonW. How old is baby?

[CanadianCatholic]

It does take a littlw while and alot of effort to get it right! especially the first time! my first 2 had terrible latches, took me a few painful weeks to get it right. What Iuvenalis said is correct. Make sure you burp! Take the baby off everytime they get it wrong and re latch

[Satori]

When I had a baby, the lactation consultants on staff at the hospital visited me before I went home and left their phone numbers with me so I could call them with questions when I got out. Does your wife have a resource like that? It costs nothing, and women who do these things really care about helping mothers achieve a successful nursing relationship.

[JonW]

Thanks for the helpful responses so far.  The baby was born on October 24th, three weeks early.  We burp him after every feeding, and she does have access to a free lactation "expert".  Thanks for reminding me.  Now I'll have to remind her.  It looks like little Ephrem is doing better with the feeding at the moment.  We'll see how it goes in the next week or so.

[St.Cecilia]

It could be because your wife has a very copious milk "let down" (i.e. the baby starts to suck and doesn't get too much at first then after about a minute the milk really starts to flow and it's too much to handle at once). Maybe have your wife pump a little before the feeding until her milk lets down then put the baby on.

[introibo]

Make sure Mom is not eating any really strong foods like onions or cabbage....this could affect the taste of the milk. Also, as opposed to what another poster said, instead of "too much" frustrating the baby, maybe your letdown is taking too long and baby isn't getting anything.  Try to nurse when you feel the milk letting down, or try to get it to let down (think of the baby crying, or concentrate on the let down).

Christina

[savienu]

When my daughter pops on and off like that or refuses the breast, inevitably she's gassy. It's all a bit of guessing game in the early weeks though (my daughter was born October 1st, so not that far from you), but she is my 2nd. I would definitely call the Lactation Counselor if  you can, though. They are a great help.  Also, try www.kellymom.com. It's a great resource.

[invinoveritas]

From one new parent to another,             

  Relax and take it easy.

 I found if you take it one step at a time things don't seem so daunting!
I may not be a very experienced parent but here are a few things i found helpful:
Get comfy, Your wife could be there for a while especially if your little one is a slow feeder.
Make sure your Wife isn't stressed , treat her with something nice if she seems overwhelmed or even offer to do something to give a hand no matter how trivial it seems and most importantly talk! there is nothing worse for a new mum than to feel alone or even useless, let her know she is doing a great job even if nothing really seems to be getting done
Get something nice to drink, it's thirsty work especially in the begining.
Once you believe you can do it then things will come naturally.
Hope Mum and baby are doing well
Enjoy your little bundle

[i.p.i.]

a tip about burping: you don't have to burp the baby on your shoulder (and have him spit up all down your back!)  instead, you can prop baby up in a sitting position on your lap and rub his back, instead of patting it.  that worked better for us and, in my experience, there was less spitting up.  of course, you need to keep a diaper handy, anyway. 

also, rubbing the soles of baby's feet once you get him positioned is supposed to encourage him to get down to the business of nursing.  and if mom needs to produce more milk, drinking beer is often recommended by doctors as well as experienced moma.  oh, and nursing while rocking in a rocking chair is the best, imo, because rocking relaxes mom and baby.

obviously this all applies to girl babies, too, but i said 'him' because that's what you've got.  congratulations!

[Underdog]

I second the posts about MER (milk ejection reflex) overwhelming baby.  It may also be causing gas.  The good news is that baby will be able to handle it better as he gets older.

Miracle cure for a gassy baby: simethicone drops (Mylicon is a popular brand name).  Some babies are gassier than others, and sometimes the gas just won't come up in a burp.  Usually gassy babies will be fine one moment, and crying the next, with no apparent cause.  So once you've checked baby's dipe, temp, etc., break out the Mylicon and dose.  I always gave a little more than the recommended dose.

Also, babies tend to act ambivalent about nursing when they have a sore throat.  This can be brought on by teething (but your little one may be too young yet, altho my youngest cut 2 teeth at 4mo), allergies (look for clear runny nose--post nasal drip hurts), a virus, or strep infection.