My 3 1/2 month old is fussing at the breast...

Renu - posted on 09/15/2012

I have a 3 1/2 month old daughter and since the last three days she has been really fussy at the breast. As soon as she gets to the breast she starts howling and screaming. When I take her off she is fine. I am not sure what the problem is but it is really frustrating and stressful. She also used to sleep through the night but now is waking up often. Need help!!!

Amy - posted on 04/22/2009

i agree about the teething, mine would howl on the breast from about 3mths - v embarrassing in public and would take a while to get into feeding when we were quiet (i'd read a book first whilst him sitting on me, or sing, or talk softly). teeth has come through and he's back to no tear feeding. although when we are out and about there is ALWAYS something more stimulating to his brain than eating... so i just make sure i can go somewhere quiet with little action around us to feed. patience, patience and some more patience.

Chrissy - posted on 04/22/2009

I don't know if you have taken her to her doctor, but my baby was very fussy at the breast when he had thrush. He wouldn't eat as often and when he did nurse it wasn't for long. Just something to consider.

Arlene - posted on 04/22/2009

I like to feed every 2-3 hours max...and still do, my LO is 4.5months. I have read that as they get older, the time it take for them to feed shortens. Like form when they were 2 weeks, it took 30-45 min. at 2 month it may take 15-20.

My LO now feeds, both breasts for around ten minutes. then he is done. i dont force him to take more, i just feed him often. I let him tell me when he is done. As our LO get older, the get better and more efficient at breastfeeding,,thank god...lol :) remember, you cant overfeed a BF baby!!

Geralyn - posted on 04/22/2009

If she is fidgety because she is full, then you as mom can read that best. I agree with Leilani that waiting 'til she's hungry again, even if its 4 hours, is okay.

I just know with my son, he'd get fidgety, but he still wanted to nurse. I came to figure out that he would get fidgety in between letdowns, so I would let him nurse til at least the second letdown, which usually followed in about 10-20 minutes after the first. Then, he'd relax and nurse through that letdown and then he'd be content and full... Just food for thought (no pun intended!)....

I am BFing my first child, and when he was 3 months, I was very anal about feeding and making sure that he was getting the hindmilk, and there was some stress around BFing. As I have breastfed, it becomes the easiest thing in the world, and I learned to trust my son that he will nurse when he's hungry and/or needs comfort, and when he doesn't, he doesn't, just like Leilani described. After BFing for a while, I could even tell by my son's cries whether it was a hunger cry or not, because I would tingle when he was hungry... Trust your mom instincts!

Rachel - posted on 04/21/2009

Personally, I wouldn't go four hours between feedings at that young an age, as it's difficult to keep up your milk supply. Is it possible your daughter may be teething? Both my children got teeth at about 3 1/2 months and they were both extremely fussy while nursing. As soon as the tooth broke, everything went back to normal. And sometimes babies just want to do their own thing! Whatever it is, if you watch her cues for when she wants to eat, everything will probably go back to normal before you know it.

Molly - posted on 04/21/2009

First, talk to your pediatrician. When you take her in, they'll chart her weight. You just want to be sure she's gaining weight. I always feel like my baby isn't getting enough. He is. My 5 month old only nurses for MAYBE 7 minutes, if that. He's gaining weight and is fine. otherwise, just make sure she's outgrowing clothes. every baby is different, maybe you just have a baby that can go a while longer in between feedings. it's normal :)

Leilani - posted on 04/21/2009

YES it's ok... :o) I have nursed 3 children and still nursing my 17mo. old boy. We are weening now and it's killing me..lol...NOT MY BREAST...MY HEART...he's our last baby!

I have never went by the book!!! My babies have always let me know when they are hungry. Girl I couldn't even tell you what the clock said..My boobs let me know. You all will become on a schedule without the ticking clock. I promise. :o) If she's fidgety she doesn't want to eat. You have to think...her jaws are stronger now and she's taking in more at each feeding than she was when she was a wee little thing. So her belly is fuller and your milk is getting heavier. My babies never let me down..lol..I knew when they wanted to eat before they new it...Next thing you know, when I felt it..it was less than 15min. later they did too.. You will get to that once you stop paying attention to the clock. Anyother questions... ;O) Let me know!...Good luck, and Im so jealous! I wish it was just the begining stages with me and my little one still. :o( Congrats to your new one! ~Leilani