Your little one is hard wired to breastfeed so when he is fussing or crying at the breast it can be hard to understand why it’s happening and therefore you feel at a loss as to what to do about it. There are many reasons why your baby is crying when you’re simply trying to feed him and so there are a few things to try to help calm the situation. Keep in mind that so often the simplest solutions are the right ones.
Rowena Gray IBCLC is the Parents You've Got This Lactation Expert. She teaches at the Parents You've Got This Baby Basics Masterclass and you can download the Breastfeeding Basics video here.
Stop offering the breast for a moment
Fussing and crying at the breast can be your little one’s way of saying “no thanks Mum!”. As soon as you bring him into a breastfeeding position he squirms, arches his back and pushes his arms into your breast to push away. A simple test of whether your baby is in fact wanting to feed right now is to stop offering the breast and offer a cuddle instead. If he settles almost immediately you can be sure he is saying he’s not ready to feed just yet. Wait for his next feeding cue before trying to offer again.
Follow your baby’s hunger cues and body language
Always follow your baby’s actual needs rather than a routine or timed feeding schedule. Your baby will always feed to his appetite and the timing will vary depending on time of day, his growing needs, his size and physical needs. Watch for signs of mouth and tongue movement and gentle body movements that start to get more active. A baby who is sound asleep is not a hungry baby. But a baby who is ready to feed starts to move his mouth and body to signal his readiness.
It’s not advised to wake your baby to feed by the clock. A sleeping baby will not be eager to feed nor latch well and can in fact become quite irritated by being offered a feed when they are needing to sleep. A growing baby’s feeding needs change as he develops so you may feel unsettled by a change in your baby’s natural feeding rhythm at times. Trust your baby to let you know when it’s time to feed - he’s got this!
Consider your feeding position
Being positioned well is so important to help your little one to latch well so he can draw the milk he needs from the breast. Be sure your little one can lift his chin to the breast so he can open his mouth as wide as he can and take a large mouthful of breast. Avoid a position that encourages him to drop his chin to his chest. Try to support your little one to feed in a way that limits his need to turn his head in either direction - a straddled, upright position without pillows encourages chin lift and a straight on head position to the breast. Take your bra off, hold your baby between your breasts and let him find the most comfortable position for himself. This may look quite strange at first but it can be a game changer when you take your hands away and follow your baby’s lead. Ask your IBCLC for more personal advice on options for positioning your little one.
Your baby will cry and fuss at the breast if the way his positioned is uncomfortable or painful in any way. Perhaps you’ve noticed he prefers to tilt his head to one side over the other, or one breast is always easier to feed him than the other? Perhaps you’ve experienced a difficult or instrumental birth and he has some body tensions that are causing discomfort when held in certain positions? Gentle body work support from an experienced Osteopath or Chiropractor can also be beneficial in helping your little one feel more comfortable in themselves if pain and tension is causing their fussiness.
Other simple measures like changing a nappy, trying for a burp, putting your baby in a sling / carrier to see if they just need help to settle. For an older baby who is teething try rubbing your finger firmly around his gums before offering the breast. If his gums are painful then this pressure can be soothing for him.
Milk flow and supply concerns
A fast milk flow can make breastfeeding very uncomfortable for your baby. A more upright position can help your little cope better rather than being cradled underneath a fast flowing breast. A slow milk flow / low supply can cause your baby to be quickly frustrated. This can mean you need to supplement feeds with a bottle. When this is necessary it can cause a stark difference between effort and flow between breast and bottle and many babies can start to prefer the bottle and become fussy at the breast. Seek support from an IBCLC as soon as possible to get the right support for you and your baby.
Your baby can become fussy or start crying simply as a way to let you know he wants more and it’s time to change breasts. You can switch sides multiple times a feed if necessary. There are no limits!
It’s not always easy to work out why your baby is fussing or crying while breastfeeding. If you are concerned about your baby’s feeding you should seek support from a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). This is hugely beneficial in helping you to get breastfeeding off to a great start and to help you gain confidence for fuss free breastfeeding!
The information provided above is general in nature and is not intended to replace the advice from your healthcare professional. Please seek the advice of your healthcare professional for tailored information that is right for your circumstances.
Rowena Gray is a mother to 3 amazing daughters, nurse, midwife and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and has been both a consumer and giver of copious amounts of breastfeeding advice! She is the author of ‘Born to Breastfeed - the first six weeks and beyond’ - available online (booktopia) and as an e-book through amazon.
留言