newborn always hungry, but have hard time with BFing. WWYD??

my 4 week old has constantly been hungry lately, gets himself extremely worked up right before i feed him, and then once he starts eating he latches for a few minutes, then pulls off harshly, and it's a fight to get my nipple back in his mouth. sometimes i get it back in, sometimes i don't. when i switch to the other side, same story. i'll switch back and forth, and he takes it or he doesn't but he still roots around and cries and screams like he's still starving, but seems to have a hard time taking my nipple. sometimes he just won't take either one after a while, and he sits there screaming until i get him 2-3 ounces of formula (we supplement twice a day).

sometimes i feel like maybe i should just give up on the BFing? i feel like i'm fighting w him to get him to take it from me. when i hold him firmly to try to get my nipple in his mouth, i feel like i'm upsetting him. what would you do?? would you keep trying and feel like you're forcing him to take it? or would you pump all the time and always feed him w a bottle, switching off w the breast milk and formula?

any advice or experiences shared are appreciated. TIA!

Re: newborn always hungry, but have hard time with BFing. WWYD??

I would keep going and try different hold. Also, pump off a few drops before you give him the breast. He might be impatient for the letdown to end. I would also slowly eliminate formular in order to up your supply!

You can do it! This is just a raugh patch and your little one going though a fussy period/grows spurt!

Re: newborn always hungry, but have hard time with BFing. WWYD??

Have you tried changing the position? I had a tough time the first few weeks with ds and latching on. I had to keep changing the position until he got the hang of it. I definitely thought about quitting but eventually we figured it out and now he eats like a champ.

As long as you have a good supply, stick with it a little longer. Good luck!

Re: newborn always hungry, but have hard time with BFing. WWYD??

Posted by WhatNow

I would keep going and try different hold. Also, pump off a few drops before you give him the breast. He might be impatient for the letdown to end. I would also slowly eliminate formula in order to up your supply!

You can do it! This is just a rough patch and your little one going though a fussy period/grows spurt!

Re: newborn always hungry, but have hard time with BFing. WWYD??

i have been trying different positions, and laying him on his back does seem to work the best, but sometimes he doesn't even latch with that one.

i don't think it's an issue w my milk supply...when i pump it's always between 4-5 ounces.

i will try expressing for a bit before i start. and i'll keep trying changing up the positions. i would like to continue BFing, so if this doesn't work maybe i'll contact a lactation consultant.

thanks a lot for the responses and advice.

Message edited 2/6/2012 11:08:31 PM.

Re: newborn always hungry, but have hard time with BFing. WWYD??

At the newborn stage my son would get very worked up and impatient once he was very hungry. Breastfeeding was so much smoother if I was able to start before he got to that starving point. At some points they go through growth spurts and are hungry all the time so even if you see him look like he's getting hungry and you know you just feed him not long ago it is possible that he'll be hungry again. Also I had to use a nipple shield in the beginning and was able to drop it later on once he was better at latching. This helped us so much! Maybe that would help? Good luck!

Re: newborn always hungry, but have hard time with BFing. WWYD??

You can do this!!!! This is just a little bump. What everyone said above is great info! Also try going to a LLL meeting or meet with an LC.

Re: newborn always hungry, but have hard time with BFing. WWYD??

The first few weeks/month of bf'ing is the hardest. I definitely recommend meeting with a lactation consultant. They might pick up on issues that you aren't aware of. A good lactation consultant is really worth it. Once you get past the early difficulties, it becomes MUCH easier. Also check out kellymom.com-lots of great info. We had a lot of difficulties in the beginning, but after working with a LC and giving it some time, we got through it. Also- 2 things come to mind- possible thrush (my son had it and I think as hungry as he was, it was painful for him to nurse until it was cleared up so he would pop on and off) and he just might have difficulty latching. You could try a nipple shield and see if that helps, Medela makes them. Good luck!!

Re: newborn always hungry, but have hard time with BFing. WWYD??

My pediatrician is also a lactation consultant and worked with me as I had a lot of difficulties BF in the beginning. You can also try dropping a bit of formula on to your nipples and on to your DC lips to start the process. Also, there's nothing wrong with taking the back of your DC's head and holding it firmly to your nipple. I was afraid to do that, but my lactation consultant (who also successfully nursed her 2 DC) said it was fine to do and would not hurt my DS.

Good luck!

Re: newborn always hungry, but have hard time with BFing. WWYD??

Thank you ladies. My ped had me BF in front of her, she said it looks like he is latching well. But I don't think she is a LC. I will check the kellymom site, and get in contact w a LC. Off hand, anyone know about how much that would cost? I remember someone saying insurance doesn't cover that.

Re: newborn always hungry, but have hard time with BFing. WWYD??

I think a LC runs in the $200 range approx.

Re: newborn always hungry, but have hard time with BFing. WWYD??

My guess would be nipple confusion. It is much easier to suck formula out of a bttle than to breastfeed and many babies can't go from both easily. I had that issue with my son because in the nursery they gave him a bottle- it took me a day to get him to nurse without issues again. I just did skin to skin with him and I did not give him a bottle, even when he would cry and not take the boob. He is three weeks old now and is a nursing champ. Maybe look at kellymom.com for suggestions on dealing with nipple confusion.

Re: newborn always hungry, but have hard time with BFing. WWYD??