Angry Baby - is it related to BF?

I don't know how to explain it - i feel like I am BFing a VERY angry baby. He is 5 weeks old. In the last few days he grips my nipple for dear life and at times pulls it hard and then keeps sucking. Needless to say I am in horrible pain. He actually sounds angry when he does this. Anyone have any idea what this is all about or experienced this?

Also, for some reason he is grunting and twisting in his sleep all night. It is non stop. Last night from 12-3am he was grunting and twisting - I am exhausted. We thought it was gas and tried gripe water and Mylicon - but nothing. Has anyone else's baby gone through this?

Re: Angry Baby - is it related to BF?

I found this website helpful when i first started BF:

How to understand your breastfeeding baby

My son used to do the same thing though and I think that it would happen right after I could feel my milk let down. I think it was the milk coming to fast... but who knows. either way, my baby would do the same thing, sometimes he would scream and beat my chest. He doesnt do it as much any more though..... You are not alone though, all the other breastfeeding moms i talk to say they have the same experiences with the baby seeming angry at some points.

ETA: as for the second part of your post, my baby does this in the morning right before he has his biggest poop of the day. For some reason he can't poop until i pick him up out of bed so if i dont pick him up, he will just continue to grunt and kick his legs. Not sure if this is the same with your son but maybe try picking him up every once in a while and see if he has to poop?

Message edited 4/5/2008 8:44:04 AM.

Re: Angry Baby - is it related to BF?

when DD was this age she did this sometimes too. she seemed more uncomfortable than angry actually and it turned out she was uncomfortable b/c she had acid reflux. she never spit up so i didn't think she had it. she would cry and scream sometimes while BFing out of nowhere. it was so upsetting.
i'm not sure why your DS might be doing this for sure but you might want to ask your ped.
i hope everything gets better soon-i know it's hard to believe but BFing gets so much easier and is so worth it in the end if you can do it. many to you!