Breastfeeding and Fussiness

Do you have an extremely fussy baby during breastfeeding? Here are some possible reasons why your baby is fussing at the breast, and how to deal with a fussy baby...

Common Reasons for Fussiness during Breastfeeding

1. Your fussing baby may be experiencing a growth spurt. This usually happens between 7 to 10 days, 2 to 3 weeks, 4 to 6 weeks, or at 3 months, 4 months, 6 months and 9 months. Some babies have growth spurts at other times, too.

Growth Spurts in Breastfed Babies

All babies will experience infant growth spurts, also called 「frequency days.」 Mothers usually assume that they have a low milk supply during these periods of growth spurt. Their babies may demand to be breastfed more often during the day and night, and may become very fussy.Growth spurts can be very frustrating, but keep in mind that they are temporary and essential for development.

2. A fussy breastfed baby is sometimes just distracted. Have you ever thought of using something like a nursing necklace?

What are breastfeeding necklaces?

Most babies like to explore their surroundings while they nurse, a nursing necklace is worn by the mother and serves as a distraction. It can give your baby something to do, instead of moving all over the place or tugging at your hair and clothing while you are trying to nurse! ;-) Now you can give your baby something fun to examine, while you breastfeed. These necklaces can be just as useful for the distracted bottle fed baby.

3. If Baby is fussing just as you begin to nurse, it may be due to a slow or excessively fast milk let down reflex. This means that your baby is frustrated with the flow of your milk. A fast milk let down is predominantly a problem in the mornings when mothers have a faster flow of milk, and babies might struggle to keep up.

4. Is your baby fussy after feeding? Maybe he/she needs to be burped more often. Extra trapped air inside your baby’s tummy can cause pain and discomfort.

5.Is he/she fussier in the evenings? This is a normal occurrence and, for some reason, most babies are fussier at this time. It could possibly be due to the fact that moms are busier in the evenings with meal preparation and attending to other members of the family, so they do not burp their babies as thoroughly as during the day.

6.Do you have a very fussy baby during certain times of the day? Try cutting out whatever food you think might be causing the fussiness while breastfeeding.

7.Does he/she only fuss on one breast? This is a sign of a difference in either the flow of milk, quantity of milk, shape of breast or the nipple.

8. Have you started your baby on solids recently? Tummy cramps may be a result ofintroduction of solids.

9. Most babies will start to suck stronger and more efficiently as time goes by. A mother may think that her baby is fussy when, in actual fact, her baby has had sufficient milk. During the first few weeks after birth, a baby may drink up to 40 minutes per feeding but, as time goes by, he/she might only need 10 to 15 minutes at the breast.

10. Have you checked your little one's mouth for thrush?

11. Does baby spit up often? He/she may be suffering from acid reflux.

12. Try feeding your baby earlier, sometimes babies may become fussy at the breast, if they are over-hungry.

Baby Fusses at Breast~Soothing fussy babies

1.Make sure that your baby is latched on well.

2.Find a comfortable breastfeeding positionfor you and your baby.

3.If you have an oversupply of milk, allow your baby to drain one breast before offering the other one. This ensures that your baby consumes the hind milk, which is fattier and more substantial than the foremilk. This will keep him/her from fussing during breastfeeding and might even decrease colic symptoms.

4.Swaddle. This will usually calm a fussy newborn baby.

5.Breastfeed your baby in a sling. This provides warmth and comfort.

Some fussy babies calm down when walked around or swayed while nursing.

6.Try giving your baby a nice warm bath and massage before feeding him/her.

You could take the bath together, and try nursing your baby in the bath. The warm water should calm your baby.

7.Read more about baby massage here. Try Dr Harvey's Cuddle cure to calm a baby. Watch the video here.

文章來源: https://www.twgreatdaily.com/cat62/node651785

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