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Breastfeeding/8 week old fussing at breast

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Expert: - 8/8/2008


Question
Hi, I have a concern regarding my 8 week old daughter who has been exclusively b/fed since birth.  We have both struggled with a very over active let down, causing her to choke and gag at times and get awful wind.  This seems to have slowed down now, and she has started pulling off the breast constantly and screaming after the let down has occurred and she has been sucking for about 3 or 4 mins.  She has only ever fed for about 10 mins in total - my fast let down combined with her vigorous suck means it's all over pretty quick, but she has never fussed up until about a week ago.  I am confused, wondering whether it's a supply problem as she seems to be sucking frantically but not swallowing, or if she needs to burp, or is just finished.  When I take her off, she cries and is really frustrated but if I distract her then she is mostly happy and content until the next feed - about 1 1/2 to 2 hours later.  She is also sleeping 8 hours straight at night and never fusses at morning or night feeds - only during the day.  Any advice you could give me would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Anna

Answer
Dear Anna,

First, congratulations for giving your daughter the best start in life by breastfeeding her!

It's hard to tell what's going on with her now. You say your let-down has slowed down, so I'm assuming she's not choking and gagging. As far as her passing wind: If she doesn't seem uncomfortable when she does this, it's probably nothing to worry about.

However, I would suggest that you ask her doctor if your baby might be experiencing GER (gastroesophageal reflux) which sometimes causes wind, stomachache, and general discomfort. It's like heartburn in adults.

As far as its being a supply problem: you need to monitor her weight gain, her diaper output, and her general behavior. If she's sleeping 8 hours at night and never fusses morning of evening it doesn't sound as if she's hungry. Is there anything different about the daytime feedings -- too much noise or light or other people? You might try nursing her in another place or in another position and see if that helps. It might also be a good idea to see a lactation consultant who can watch your baby nursing and see whether anything should be changed.

I'll ask Dr. Marks about your situation, and if she has any suggestions I'll pass them on.

Good luck!

Sally
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Sally Wendkos Olds
Author, THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BREASTFEEDING: Eiger & Olds, 3rd edition 1999, published by Workman Publishing & Bantam Books, and available in most public libraries, bookstores & La Leche League chapters. Now in revision for a fourth edition, with Laura M. Marks, M.D.  

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Sally Wendkos Olds

Expertise

What do you want to know about breastfeeding? I can tell you what`s good for the baby, what`s good for the mother -- and the father, how it`s related to a woman`s sexuality, how working moms can nurse, how to overcome obstacles, and lots more. As the author of THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BREASTFEEDING and author or coauthor of 8 other books and more than 200 articles about child and adult development, I can offer sound, sensible advice on breastfeeding, child care and family issues.

Experience

I nursed my 3 daughters and am the grandmother of 5 breastfed children. My book THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BREASTFEEDING (written in consultation with pediatrician Marvin S. Eiger, M.D.) was first published in 1972, and in 1999 came out in an updated 3rd Edition by Workman Publishing & Bantam Books. It is now a classic, with over 2 million copies in print. I am now revising this book for a fourth edition, consulting with pediatrician Laura M. Marks, M.D. This new edition will be published September 2009. I welcome any and all suggestions for the new edition. I coauthored college textbooks A CHILD'S WORLD: INFANCY THROUGH ADOLESCENCE, and HUMAN DEVELOPMENT; both are leading texts in their fields and have been read by 2 million students. I am the coauthor of HELPING YOUR CHILD FIND VALUES TO LIVE BY and RAISING A HYPERACTIVE CHILD, and author of THE WORKING PARENTS' SURVIVAL GUIDE & THE ETERNAL GARDEN: SEASONS OF OUR SEXUALITY. My newest book, A BALCONY IN NEPAL: GLIMPSES OF A HIMALAYAN VILLAGE, published in 2002, tells the story of the way of life in a remote village in Nepal, where all the women breastfeed! My book, SUPER GRANNY: COOL PROJECTS, ACTIVITIES, AND OTHER GREAT STUFF TO DO WITH YOUR GRANDKIDS, will be published March 2009. I speak often to professional, parent and general audiences and make many radio and TV appearances.

Credentials I received my B.A. in English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania, where I minored in Psychology, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and graduated summa cum laude.

Other points of interest I have received national awards for my writing, and am a former president of the American Society of Journalists & Authors. I am listed in the World Who's Who of Women, International Authors & Writers Who's Who, and Contemporary Authors, and am a member of several professional and civic organizations. I believe: that all parents are working parents; that parents employed outside the home need special support; that mothers' well-being is crucial to their children's welfare; and that the family is the best institution in the world and the one for which we are least prepared. My thrills come when parents or kids tell me they were helped by my writing or speaking or just understanding. To find out more about me, go to

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