Is your baby fussy every time you offer the breast? Do they cry, making it hard to breastfeed? Show
I’ve been there and know how it can be distressing when your baby is irritable while breastfeeding. It can make you question whether you’re doing something wrong and why the experience isn’t turning out how you imagined. To help set your mind at ease and offer you some hope, we’ll share everything we know about what makes a baby upset during breastfeeding. We’ll help you determine the cause of your baby’s fussiness. We’ll also offer our solutions so your breastfeeding sessions can return to being a peaceful experience you both enjoy. Causes of Baby Crying During FeedingHalf the battle is finding out why your baby is crying and fussing when they should be enjoying their time at the breast. You want to know your baby is getting enough milk and thriving. But it’s hard to be sure when they always latch on and off, crying in between. Let’s discuss some possible causes. 1. Baby Isn’t Latching OnIf your baby is fussing or crying, getting them to latch on to feed can be challenging. Whether overtired, overstimulated, or just plain hungry, a crying baby is unlikely to latch. The SolutionBegin breastfeeding while your baby is calm and awake, before they get too hungry. Watch for early hunger cues such as rooting, smacking their lips, sucking their hands, sticking their tongue out, or waking from sleeping. Crying is a late sign of hunger. Swaddling your baby and holding them close, dimming the lights, or moving somewhere peaceful and quiet might also help. Another thing you can try is squeezing a few drops of milk onto your breast to entice your baby to latch on. The taste and smell of the milk might stimulate them to feed. Changing position or changing breasts can also work sometimes (1). 2. The Milk Flow Is Too Fast or Too SlowPaying attention to when your baby starts to cry might shed some light on the reason. If your baby is fussier in the morning, it could be that your overly full breasts release too much milk too quickly. Your breasts may have become engorged with milk during the night and your baby can’t cope with this forceful let-down. Conversely, if they are fussier in the evenings, maybe the milk release is too slow and they get frustrated. They become impatient, waiting for the flow of milk that comes with the let-down, and start crying. The Solution for Fast Milk FlowA strong release of milk, or overactive let-down, can make your little one choke, gag, or cough when they’re feeding. They might unlatch from the breast because they don’t like or can’t cope with the fast flow. They could also be gulping a lot of air with the milk and getting gassy, which causes more upset. These are some of the things you can do to counteract this:
The Solution for Slow Milk FlowYour baby is hungry, but your milk is not coming quick enough. Just as we can get “hangry” when we need food or drink and aren’t getting it, our babies can too! Luckily, we have some things you can try to combat a slow flow or delayed let-down:
3. Baby Is Going Through a Growth SpurtThere are times during a baby’s first year of life when they go through growth spurts. Their weight and length will increase, as will their head circumference. Your baby may want to feed more often during a growth spurt and can become fussy. It’s not uncommon for a baby to suddenly feed up to 18 times in 24 hours. While one does not necessarily lead to the other, it makes sense that a growth spurt and sudden, frequent feeding go hand in hand. Your baby will need more milk to support the growth spurt, and nursing more will naturally boost your supply. During this time, babies can also become fussier than usual. They might appear unsettled and clingy, and they may not sleep as well as usual. Growth spurts generally happen several times during the first year. These are the ages when they are likely to occur:
Not all babies will follow this timetable; some might have more growth spurts or they may be at different times. For some babies, there might be no change in their behavior when they have a growth spurt. The SolutionDuring this time, follow your baby’s lead. Respond to their needs, whether it’s more feeds, extra cuddles, or just quiet time and a nap. Your baby might get fussy if you aren’t producing as much milk as they want. It can take a day or so for your supply to catch up with the demand. The more you let your baby feed, the more milk your breasts will produce. Your baby may seem hungry after normal feeding time, so don’t be afraid to nurse again. Keep yourself feeling good during this time by staying hydrated and eating balanced meals. Remember, you are not Superwoman; let family and friends help with chores and shopping while you spend time with your baby. 4. Baby Is Going Through a Developmental StageYour baby is constantly developing mentally and learning new skills as they go along. It can be a bit overwhelming and confusing for them, and there might be weeks when they are fussier than usual. Sometimes called the “Wonder Weeks,” it can explain mood changes in your baby (3). You might find that during these periods, your baby becomes more curious and distracted while feeding. They might want to feed more or, conversely, not stay latched on long enough for a good feed. They can be cranky and fussy and cry a lot when you’re trying to breastfeed. The good news is that these periods generally only last a few days before your baby returns to normal behavioral patterns. Not all babies will fit into the pattern of wonder weeks and develop at different times. The SolutionFeed your baby in a quiet room where there are likely to be fewer distractions. There’s nothing worse than having a situation where your little one latches on, then hears their dad or sees the dog and stops feeding (or worse yet, turns their head with your nipple still in their mouth!). Trying to get your baby to pay attention can make them fussier and be a constant battle. You might also find that your baby is fussier and wants to feed more often during these periods. Again, take your cue from them, and give them the extra time and attention they need. 5. Baby Needs to BurpBabies often fuss, cry, or pull away from the breast when they need to burp. A fast flow of milk can exacerbate this. They can also swallow more air when they’re fussy or gulp down milk faster than usual if they’re over-hungry. The SolutionBreastfed babies tend not to need burping as often as bottle-fed ones. However, there are times when gas can make them uncomfortable and they need to get it out. If your baby is fussing, stop the feed and try and burp them. If you let them carry on feeding while they’re crying, then they can take in more air and make the problem worse. Eventually, it can end up with them spitting up. It’s a good idea to burp your little one mid-feed, even if they don’t appear to be in too much discomfort. Try to do it when switching breasts or when your baby latches off the nipple. Other Reasons for Crying During BreastfeedingWe’ve looked at some of the main reasons your baby might cry while breastfeeding. There are a few other things that can cause this, including:
Feedback: Was This Article Helpful? Thank You For Your Feedback! Thank You For Your Feedback! Why does my baby pull away and cry while breastfeeding 3 months?Some babies pull off the breast crying due a fast or slow flow of breastmilk. If your baby pulls off your breast soon after your let-down (when milk begins to flow from your breast) and is coughing or gagging, you may have an overactive let-down reflex.
Why is my 3 month old fussing at the breast?Sometimes, your milk lets down so fast that your baby can have trouble swallowing the amount of milk that's being released. Because of this, your baby may act fussy at breast or choke and sputter at the breast, and he or she may be quite gassy.
Why is my baby suddenly fussy while breastfeeding?Some babies fuss when they're having a growth spurt, or when they're struggling with a fast milk flow. When babies are really upset, it can be hard for them to calm down enough to breastfeed. Of course, breastfeeding fussiness can sometimes be cause for concern.
Why does my baby keep crying while breastfeeding?When your baby is having trouble managing your flow, they will often cry in protest. The milk may be coming out so quickly and abundantly — sometimes spraying down their throat — and they may not be able to coordinate breathing and suckling, which can make them quite upset.
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