My baby is crying while feeding
20 Reasons Why Baby Fusses Or Cries While Breastfeeding
From letdown issues to teething, identifying the cause can make breastfeeding easier for you and your baby.
Research-backed
MomJunction believes in providing reliable, research-backed information to you. As per our strong editorial policy requirements, we base our health articles on references (citations) taken from authority sites, international journals, and research studies. However, if you find any incongruencies, feel free to write to us.
Image: iStock
You may often notice that your baby cries while breastfeeding. Babies may cry when breastfed for various reasons, ranging from simple distractions to a significant feeding problem.
While occasional weeping during nursing is normal, persistent crying and reluctance to breastfeed may necessitate medical treatment or a consultation with a lactation consultant-IBCLC (International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners).
Read on to learn why newborns cry during breastfeeding and ways to avoid it.
Causes Of Crying In Babies While Breastfeeding
The following factors or situations may make babies fussy or cry during breastfeeding (1).
1. Overactive letdown
Sometimes, if the mother has an overactive or forceful letdown of breast milk, the baby may tend to bite the breast or cry since they cannot swallow too much milk. An overactive letdown may cause colic symptoms for the baby. Hyperactive milk ejection reflex and oversupply may cause gagging or choking while breastfeeding, making your baby cry while nursing.
Quick tip
When your baby is having a colic episode while breastfeeding, you can calm them by holding them close to your heart so they can hear your heartbeat (2).
2. Slow letdown
Slow letdown reflex could cause a slower or inadequate milk supply. Babies may become irritated or cry if they do not get enough milk while breastfeeding.
Related: 5 Helpful Ways To Increase Breastmilk Supply
3. Slow milk flow
Babies can be impatient while waiting for the milk to flow while feeding. Slow milk flow can be due to various reasons, including a slow letdown reflex. Sometimes, a fast milk flow due to overactive letdown followed by a slower flow could make your baby cry since they become frustrated by the changes in the milk flow.
4. Done with feeding
Babies should be the ones ending a feeding. If you continue to feed even when they are refusing, it is normal for babies to cry.
5. Want to burp
Image: Shutterstock
Babies may cry or pull off the breast if they want to burp while nursing, especially during the first few months. Most babies do this while changing the breast or after feeding, and a few may not burp without the assistance of the parent. Older babies can relieve gas while they move, and it is rare for them to burp while nursing.
Bottle-fed infants may burp more than breastfed infants as they are fed too fast.
Paced bottle feeding method should be used to help the baby get what he/she needs at that feeding not more.
6. Not hungry
Babies who are not hungry may cry while feeding since they do not want to be fed. Crying can be a means of communication for the baby.
Related: 11 Reasons Why Baby Refuses To Eat And How To Help Them
7. GERD or acid reflux
Regurgitation of stomach acid to the food pipe could make babies gag or throw up often. Acid reflux may cause irritation or cough and often make babies cry while feeding due to the discomfort.
8. Unusual body odor
Babies may refuse feeding and often cry when they smell a new perfume, soap, or lotion on the breast while feeding since it is unusual for them.
9. Changes in the taste of breast milk
Babies may cry or refuse feeding if the taste or texture of the breast milk changes. Maternal diet, periods, high lipase levels in the milk or second pregnancy may cause changes in the milk.
10. Growth spurt
Growth spurts or frequency days are times when your baby has more intense growth. Babies can have many growth spurts during infancy, usually during two to three weeks, six weeks, three months, and six months.
The duration of growth spurts may vary in babies, and it may last for a few days. Babies may appear hungrier and feed more during this time. The baby can be fussy and may cry when feeding while experiencing a growth spurt.
11. Preference for bottle-feeding
Image: iStock
Babies who are mostly fed from a bottle may prefer bottle-feeding to breastfeeding due to the bottle’s instant and continuous milk flow. They may also find it is easy to feed from a bottle since it involves minimal effort than feeding from the breasts.
12. Preference feeding from one side
Some babies tend to prefer one-sided feeding due to various reasons, and they may cry if you offer the other breast or change the breast during nursing sessions.
Related: Breastfeeding From One Breast: Causes, Side Effects And Tips
13. Cluster feeding in the evening
Babies may feed more before sleeping in the evening hours, and they can become fussy and cry if you end feeding before they feed enough. A slow letdown of milk during cluster feeding may also irritate the baby and make them cry.
14. Teething
Teething may cause swelling and pain in the gums. It can make the baby cry while nursing due to the discomfort in the gums.
15. Thrush
Image: Shutterstock
Thrush, also known as oral candidiasis, is a fungal infection caused by the yeast Candida albicans. You may notice whitish coating of the tongue and oral cavity in this condition. Babies with oral thrush may have difficulty breastfeeding due to mouth dryness, burning, or lack of appetite.
They may cry or become fussy due to thrush while feeding, and often the candida infection can spread to the mothers’ breasts while nursing if it is left untreated.
16. Stuffy nose
Babies may cry while breastfeeding due to breathing difficulties caused by nasal congestion. Common cold or flu can be the reason for congested or stuffy noses in many babies. Blocked nose due to an inappropriate breastfeeding position may also cause feeding problems.
Expert says
According to Naser Danan, MD, Pediatrics, UH Rainbow Northeast Pediatrics, Willoughby, using saline nose drops before each feeding can help babies with nasal congestion breathe better while eating (3).
17. Food sensitivity or allergy
Babies with food sensitivities or allergies may cry during breastfeeding due to gastrointestinal discomforts. Colic, vomiting, gagging, excessive gas, diarrhea, or skin rashes can be symptoms of sensitivity to foods in mom’s diet.
18. Ankyloglossia or tongue-tie
Tongue-tie is a condition wherein a tight and thick band of tissue tethers the tip or any part of the tongue to the mouth’s floor. Lip and buccal ties can also cause feeding challenges.
This condition could affect babies’ ability to suck, and they may turn fussy or cry while breastfeeding.
19. Stress
Image: Shutterstock
Babies may feel stressed for various reasons, such as teething, physical illnesses, or even psychological problems, such as fear of being away from the caregiver or parent (separation anxiety). Stress may cause the baby to be irritated and often cry more than usual, including during the nursing sessions.
20. Tiredness
Illnesses or lack of sleep could make babies cry while feeding, and you may also notice them being more irritable in such situations.
Babies may become fussy or cry while breastfeeding due to various reasons. Some babies may go into a nursing strike or breastfeeding strike due to these factors. Breastfeeding strike is a sudden refusal of breastfeeding for several days. It is essential to identify the exact reason behind crying while nursing since adequate feeding is required for your baby’s growth and development.
Related: 8 Signs Of Overtired Baby And Tips To Put Them To Sleep
How To Prevent Crying While Nursing?
Sometimes, it can be difficult for parents to find and resolve the cause of crying while nursing. If your baby frequently cries while breastfeeding or if you are unable to identify the cause, seek help from a pediatrician or a lactation consultant.
The following ways may help calm a crying baby while nursing (1).
- Nurse when the baby is relaxed. You may choose before their sleeping time since babies are less likely to be fussy during this time.
- Take the baby outdoors and feed afterward.
- If the mother is stressed or depressed, the other family member or caregiver may carry the baby until the mom relaxes since babies can often sense emotions.
- Find a calm and dark feeding room or area to reduce distraction.
- Express and bottle-feed breast milk if the baby refuses to feed from the breast.
Shift to formula milk only when there is not enough milk supply and after seeking advice from a lactation consultant or pediatrician.
Image: iStock
- Do not force the baby to feed if they refuse to feed.
- Feed from both breasts, and switch the breasts if they cry.
- Maintain an appropriate feeding position and change if required.
Quick tip
Make sure your baby sits as straight as possible when breast or bottle feeding to reduce the amount of air they swallow and so, to prevent them from crying (2).
- Burp the baby in between breasts and at the end of each feeding.
- Opt for surgical repair of tongue-tie after consulting a doctor.
- Treat stuffy nose, thrush, etc. to avoid feeding difficulties.
- Use comfort measures to calm and soothe the baby before continuing feeding.
- Maintain a healthy diet and drink enough water if you are a lactating mother.
The maternal diet could be linked to food sensitivity in breastfed infants. Speak to a doctor if you suspect your baby is reacting to the maternal diet.
Related: Baby Crying: Types, Reasons And Tips To Cope With It
1. Is it normal if a baby cries while breastfeeding?
Babies may cry when breastfeeding if they feel uncomfortable. Improper airflow, acid reflux, satiety, and altered breast milk taste could result in a baby crying during nursing.
2. What should I not do when my baby cries while breastfeeding?
Do not stop breastfeeding immediately after the baby starts crying. Instead, offer them the other breast or try a different feeding position to see if it subsides the crying. In many cases, a change in breast or feeding position may work. If your baby continues to cry, express breast milk and offer them the bottle.
If your baby cries while breastfeeding, look for the causes such as acid reflux, overactive letdown, slow letdown, or not hungry. Some babies may also cry and fuss after they are done feeding.
Teething, thrush, growth spurts, and preference for bottle-feeding or one breast can also be the reason for crying while nursing. You may feed the baby when they are hungry and relaxed. Seek suggestions from lactation consultants to manage overactive or slow letdowns with various feeding techniques. You may express and feed using bottles if the baby prefers to be bottle-fed.
Key Pointers
- A baby can cry or become fussy while breastfeeding for various reasons such as overactive or slow letdown, not hungry, or acid reflux.
- Stuffy nose and teething can cause babies to fuss or cry while feeding due to nasal congestion or pain in the gums.
- You may feed on demand and address health issues to prevent cry or fussiness. Expressing and giving bottled breast milk can also help some babies.
References:
MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields.
You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
1. Crying and feeding issues; The Children and Young People Urgent Care Advisory Group
2. Breastfeeding challenges; Better Health Start for Life; NHS
3. What to Do For Your Baby’s Stuffy Nose; University Hospitals
The following two tabs change content below.
- Reviewer
- Author
Baby Neck Rash: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
Baby Neck Rash: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
Weight Gain in First Trimester: How Much Is Normal And Risks
Weight Gain in First Trimester: How Much Is Normal And Risks
First Trimester Of Pregnancy: Changes, Symptoms & Baby Growth
First Trimester Of Pregnancy: Changes, Symptoms & Baby Growth
Pregnancy Gingivitis (Bleeding Gums): Signs, Causes And Treatment
Pregnancy Gingivitis (Bleeding Gums): Signs, Causes And Treatment
Bleeding During Pregnancy: Causes, Diagnosis And Treatment
Bleeding During Pregnancy: Causes, Diagnosis And Treatment
Hypothyroidism In Babies: Causes, Diagnosis And Treatment
Hypothyroidism In Babies: Causes, Diagnosis And Treatment
Second Trimester Of Pregnancy: Body Changes & What to Expect
Second Trimester Of Pregnancy: Body Changes & What to Expect
Metformin In Pregnancy: Safety, Dosage, Side Effects And Alternatives
Metformin In Pregnancy: Safety, Dosage, Side Effects And Alternatives
Does Abortion Hurt And How To Cope With The Pain?
Does Abortion Hurt And How To Cope With The Pain?
Baby Fusses or Cries During Feeding: Causes & Solutions
Is your baby fussy every time you offer the breast? Do they cry, making it hard to breastfeed?
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 Feeding
Half 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 On
If 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 Solution
Begin 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 Slow
Paying 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 Flow
A 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:
- Express before feeding: Pumping some of your milk before feeding, or expressing by hand, can help slow down the flow. After you feel the first let-down pass and you see the flow is slowing, put your baby to your breast.
- Lie back when nursing: Adopting a laid-back feeding position with your baby lying on top of you can slow the flow. You could latch your baby on and then lie back against some cushions or pillows. Milk will flow against gravity and won’t pour down your baby’s throat.
- Burp regularly: When your milk is flowing fast, your baby may gulp lots of air while feeding. A gassy baby is a fussy baby, so burp them regularly, during and after the feed.
- Feed one side at a time: Alternate your breasts at each feed. That way, once the flow slows down on the breast your baby is feeding on, they might stop fussing.
- Take a feeding break: If your flow is too much for your little one to cope with, remove them from the breast for a few seconds. Let the excess milk leak onto a towel, and offer the breast again when it stops. This might make your baby fussier for a while, but it will pay off in the long run.
The Solution for Slow Milk Flow
Your 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:
- Stimulate the flow: Either pumping or hand expressing a little milk before latching can kick-start your let-down reflex. Once you have a steady flow, then you can put your baby to your breast.
- Warm compress: Use a warm towel or compress for a few minutes to stimulate letdown. Place it on your breasts just before each feed.
- Massage: Massaging your breasts before and during a feed can help the milk flow faster.
- Try breast compressions: If you notice your baby is about to start fussing and might unlatch, squeeze your breast. This will give your baby a burst of milk, keeping them actively feeding.
- Get comfortable: Breastfeeding a fussy baby can be frustrating for you as well.
Try and feed in a relaxing position, away from distractions. It’s a perfect time to just concentrate on your baby. - Make sure your baby gets enough milk: All that fussing and crying might make your little one tired, and they may fall asleep at the breast before they’ve eaten enough. Try and stimulate them to continue feeding by tickling their foot or stroking their cheek. The more your baby feeds, the more milk you will produce.
- Some dos and don’ts: When breastfeeding, avoid smoking and alcohol. Also, try and steer clear of soda and coffee. All these could affect your milk production. Ensure you eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated, too (2).
3. Baby Is Going Through a Growth Spurt
There 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:
- Two weeks old.
- Three weeks old.
- Six weeks old.
- Three months old.
- Six months old.
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 Solution
During 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 Stage
Your 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 Solution
Feed 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 Burp
Babies 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 Solution
Breastfed 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 Breastfeeding
We’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:
- Baby prefers one side: Your milk supply might be better on one breast than the other. This may be apparent if your baby only fusses when fed on one side.
- Teething: This can be a painful and uncomfortable time for your baby, and they might fuss more when feeding. You might first realize it’s happening when they clamp down on your nipple and you feel the teeth through the gums. I’m all too familiar with that pain! But trust me, your baby isn’t trying to hurt you; they just want to relieve their pain (4).
- Baby has eaten enough: If your little one starts fussing toward the end of a feed, this might be a sign they’ve had enough. Try offering the breast again a few times. If they don’t want it, move on.
If you have ruled out any other causes for their crying, their little tummy might be full. - Baby wants to be pacified: Your little one might be full but still wants to suckle. However, it can be frustrating for them when milk is still flowing. This could be an excellent time to offer a pacifier for them to suckle.
- Thrush: This fungal infection can affect your nipples or a baby’s mouth. If your baby has oral thrush, feeding will be uncomfortable, and they can get fussy. If you suspect this, contact your health care provider (5).
- Baby has a cold: Trying to feed and breathe through a stuffy nose simultaneously can be challenging for a little one. They will become fussy and break away from the breast a lot. Use a nasal aspirator to try to clear their nose, or ask your pediatrician for advice.
- Food sensitivity or allergy: While you might enjoy eating spicy food for dinner, your baby may not.
The flavor of the food you eat comes through in your milk, and your little one might not always like the taste or the smell. You might notice they are fussier when you have consumed certain foods they don’t like or are allergic to (6). - Reflux: Although it’s not very common in breastfed babies, sometimes food comes back up from a baby’s stomach. This can make them cry and feel uncomfortable when feeding (7). Speak with your baby’s doctor if you suspect this is causing your baby to be fussy or cry during breastfeeding.
Feedback: Was This Article Helpful?
Thank You For Your Feedback!
Thank You For Your Feedback!
What Did You Like?
What Went Wrong?
Why does the baby cry during breastfeeding
Yakovleva Ekaterina Andreevna
pediatrician, breastfeeding consultant
Why does baby cry while breastfeeding? The answer may lie on the surface and depend on the situation.
Some mothers themselves begin to put forward theories that are often incorrect - “I don’t have milk”, “I ate something wrong”, “The milk became tasteless and bitter”, “I shouldn’t have bought silicone pads” ... Consider the most frequent causes of crying at the breast and options for helping the baby together with Ekaterina Andreevna Yakovleva, pediatrician, breastfeeding consultant and mother of two babies. She knows about the tears of babies not only from professional, but also from maternal experience. nine0003
WHY A CHILD CRYS DURING FOOD
— Ekaterina Andreevna, is crying during feeding dangerous?
— Crying during feeding is a normal way for a baby to communicate with the outside world. So he calls his mother, shows that he wants to eat or something bothers him. The only thing that crying can affect is that the baby will come off the chest and take in air. This will lead to more abundant regurgitation, increased pain in the tummy.
Table.
Newborn cries during feeding - 9 reasons0018 — Can a change in priorities of a child affect his behavior at the breast?
- Up to three months, babies have one priority - they need to either eat and sleep or change a wet diaper. After the children become more active, they are already interested in the world around them. Therefore, when feeding in public places, and also when the mother combines the process with talking on the phone or watching TV, the child can be distracted: suck - turn away - suck, ask for different breasts in turn, indulge. nine0003
After three or four months, the baby should not be on the breast very often, but mothers find it difficult to readjust and continue to breastfeed constantly to soothe him. But in fact, the child’s needs are already different - he wants to be vilified on the handles, paid attention to him, played with him, showed him toys.
- Let's discuss misattachment in more detail. What can a mother do wrong if the child does not eat well and cries?
- A very common symptom of improper attachment or refusal of the breast is trouble-free feeding only in sleep.
When the child sleeps, he eats calmly, and when he is awake, he begins to twist at the chest, cry. Mom can get tired of this, and in order to calm and feed the baby, during the day she gives him a bottle. In such a situation, it makes sense to talk about breastfeeding and work to restore normal feeding. nine0003
Problems may arise from awkward or repetitive posture during feeding. By trial and error, the mother should choose the position that will be most convenient for her and the child. However, if a baby is fed only lying down from birth, at an older age he may refuse to eat in his arms, break out and cry.
A CHILD CRYING WHEN FEEDING - HOW TO HELP
- Ekaterina Andreevna, everything is very individual for small children. How to understand why a child eats and cries? nine0012
— If the baby cries during feeding, the mother should examine the possible reasons for this behavior step by step and:
- Eliminate the reasons related to the child's well-being, which she can deal with herself.
- Work on breastfeeding techniques.
- Seek medical attention if all else fails - child continues to cry and has additional questionable symptoms.
A triad of symptoms that are always alarming
You should also consult a doctor if, during feeding, the child wriggles and cries from constant acute pain, cannot calm down, vomiting, blood and mucus in the stool, rashes in the mouth, stuffy nose are observed. Fever is an acute condition that is not associated with constant (for example, for a month) baby crying during feeding.
— What should I do if my baby refuses to breastfeed?
— The main thing for a mother is to remain calm and adequate. For a breastfed baby, one break can last an hour, and another five to six hours if the baby has slept long and well. Taking long breaks during the day, the child will still finish his daily allowance in order to develop normally. For example, if he has not eaten for six hours during the daytime, he will breastfeed more often at night.
Therefore, in feeding children in the first half of life during the day, it is better not to take breaks for more than 3-3.5 hours. With the introduction of complementary foods, the intervals may be slightly longer. nine0003
Night breaks are individual and depend only on the child - some children are born with a 6-8 hour interval, and some sleep at night for eight to twelve hours or eat every hour.
Read also
- About the reasons why a child refuses breast milk and whether it is necessary to switch to mixed or artificial feeding in such cases.
— Is it necessary to stop feeding if the baby is naughty?
- Depends on age. Mom should feel what exactly the child needs at this moment. If a newborn cries and refuses to breastfeed, you can calm him down, vilify him with a column, shake him, and then attach him to the breast again. If, having calmed down, the child turns away from the chest, then he has eaten.
An older child is distracted from the breast, becoming interested in something else.
Do not force feed him. We must try to remove all irritants - feed in isolation in a separate room, not be distracted by gadgets, sounds, or give the child the opportunity to satisfy his interests, and then offer the breast again. nine0003
— What else can help calm the baby?
- Since most causes of crying are not related to medical problems, medication is not needed. It is necessary to relax, set up the baby, pump him, try to competently organize breastfeeding - apply correctly, do not give a dummy, nipple, supplement from a cup or syringe without a needle. As a rule, this is how most feeding problems go away.
— In what situations can a breast be replaced with a bottle? nine0012
— It is not worth replacing breastfeeding with formula feeding without acute vital signs. When a baby is not accepting the breast well, it is worth removing all bottles, continuing to supplement with “non-sucking” items, and contacting a breastfeeding specialist to try to establish attachment and breastfeeding.
This is done by a lot of people.
- Does changing the feeding regimen help to get rid of crying?
- Rather, these are unrelated things. It is not worth forcibly adjusting the feeding regimen, you need to listen to the child - in the first three months, the children constantly hang on their chest, after they begin to form a regimen and the intervals between meals increase. It is important to feel the needs of the child, because not only hunger, but also other things can disturb him, and if he constantly poke his chest, he will not be very pleased. nine0003
Table. Mistakes during breastfeeding
The baby cries during breastfeeding for many reasons. It can be improper attachment to the breast, "tangled nipples", inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, runny nose, colic, teething, lactase deficiency, or a very nervous state of the mother. It is possible to understand what the problem is only by eliminating the organic and psychological causes of crying.
With prolonged ongoing anxiety, the child should be shown to a specialist. nine0003
* Breast milk is the best food for babies. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a child's life and continued breastfeeding after complementary foods are introduced until the age of 2 years. Before introducing new products into the baby's diet, you should consult with a specialist. The material is for informational purposes and cannot replace the advice of a healthcare professional. For feeding children from birth. The product is certified.
#advice for mom #breastfeeding
See also
The baby is not full of breast milk: how to determine it and what to do
#Food #breast-feeding #supplementing formula while breastfeeding
Shcherbakova Alla Anatolyevna
Candidate of Medical Sciences, pediatrician, gastroenterologist
Why does the baby not sleep after feeding?
#Tips for Mom #breast-feeding #colic #gaziki 7-12
Nikulina Anastasia Anatolyevna
pediatrician
Infant feeding patterns - what to choose
#Tips for Mom #breastfeeding
Kizino Polina Alexandrovna
pediatrician, perinatal psychologist
See all
View all
Why does the baby not sleep after feeding? nine0003
# Tips for mom # grudnoe-vskarmlivanie # breast-feeding # colic #koliki # gaziki 7-12
Nikulina Anastasia Anatolyevna
pediatrician
The baby is not full of breast milk: how to determine it and what to do
# Lure # breast-feeding # grudnoe-vskarmlivanie # formula supplementation while breastfeeding
Shcherbakova Alla Anatolyevna
Candidate of Medical Sciences, pediatrician, gastroenterologist
Infant feeding patterns - what to choose
# Tips for mom # breast-feeding #grudnoe-vskarmlivanie
Kizino Polina Alexandrovna
pediatrician, perinatal psychologist
See all
View all
View all
View all
Why is my baby crying while feeding?
Hunger causes almost physical suffering to the baby: the level of glucose in the blood drops, the cells of the body do not have enough energy for growth and development, and all this is very unpleasant.
That is why the baby is filled with loud, demanding crying with notes of disappointment and resentment. Well, how is it - they still haven't fed him - also to me, the parents are called! Previously, when babies were advised to feed strictly by the hour, hungry babies had time to cry almost before each feeding. There was even such a theory that crying is good for a baby - by doing so, he develops his lungs. In fact, his hungry cry does no more good for the respiratory system than your attempts to call a waiter in a crowded restaurant: you want to make an order, they don’t hear you, and sucks more and more in the stomach ... Feed the child as soon as possible, even if he is hungry before the allotted time. nine0003
Just colic
All babies go through a period of colic in the tummy. They arise due to the immaturity of the digestive system, which adapts to milk, formula, supplementary food and complementary foods. Enzymes are still lacking, beneficial bacteria have not yet properly populated the intestines, so it cannot cope with the food load, overflowing with gases: they burst its walls and cause paroxysmal pain.
At the same time, the baby screams quickly and piercingly and tenses up: he frowns, blushes, presses his legs to his tummy or twists them, clenches his fists. The screams follow each other for hours, exhausting both the child and the parents. Having warmed up on the handles, he calms down (warmth reduces pain), but as soon as the baby is put in the crib, the crying starts again. nine0003
Are you breastfeeding? Eliminate legumes, cabbage, soda, chocolate from the menu
Lay the baby on his tummy, apply a diaper or heating pad ironed (for warmth), massage around the navel in a clockwise direction.
Give pharmacy infant tea with chamomile, fennel or dill (dill water) - it reduces the formation of gases.
Do not overfeed! And make sure that the baby does not swallow air during feeding: this happens if he does not suckle well to the chest or if the mixture does not completely fill the hole in the bottle during feeding. 50-70% of the gases accumulated in an infant are swallowed air! nine0003
Brain scream
Headache is very hard to bear.
It seems that nature protected the baby from her, leaving the fontanelles uncovered. But if intracranial pressure rises quickly, and this system does not compensate for it, and also in the second half of life, when the fontanelles are almost closed, hypertension syndrome inevitably leads to headaches. She makes the baby cry in a special way: quietly, but continuously, monotonously, on one note. In such cases, you need to consult a neurologist. nine0196
Acute abdomen
Infants sometimes develop a very formidable condition - intestinal obstruction, in other words - volvulus (intussusception). It arises due to the inconsistency of the waves of peristalsis that move food through the intestines. If a wave is too strong, intussusception may occur. At the same time, the crying of the baby will change - there will no longer be screams, as with colic, but waves of a loud, desperate cry. The pain is repeated in attacks: between them the child calms down and even falls asleep, but then starts screaming and rushing about again.
nine0003
When introducing a new formula or product to an infant's diet, start with mini servings
Urgently call an ambulance! Even if it turns out that this is still not intestinal obstruction, but gases, the child’s tummy hurts very much: let the doctor help him by using a gas tube.
Food is like trouble
Does the baby take the breast or the bottle and then throws it away and starts screaming sharply and piercingly? Another option is a high-pitched cry immediately after feeding. Crying occurs due to a sharp pain in the abdomen, provoked by a lack of the lactase enzyme, which is involved in the breakdown of milk sugar - lactose. Upon receipt of the first portions of milk, the intestinal walls contract intensely, and it itself begins to ferment, causing flatulence with a sharp bloating of the abdomen. And it hurts a lot - hence the crying! In addition, the baby remains hungry: milk is not digested and absorbed. nine0003
Your doctor will give your baby lactase supplements or recommend a formula containing lactase.
In many children, the synthesis of this enzyme improves in the second half of life. Then the child can be fed dairy products without the risk of provoking colic and crying.
Teething?
Does the baby have wet eyes all the time: does he whine slowly, then sobs at the top of his voice? Look into his mouth: it looks like his first incisor is making his way below! At the time of the eruption of the next tooth, children's immunity weakens, and the child easily catches a cold. To alleviate the condition of the child, lubricate the gum in the place where the tooth pecks with a special tooth-cutting gel for babies (it has anesthetic properties). Let him gnaw on the gear-cutting rings with some water inside (having cooled first). nine0196
Otitis starts
The child literally takes a few sips and suddenly breaks into a piercing cry! Tries to suck again - and screams again. It hurts the kid to do this, because with every sip he shoots in the ear.
