1) When I breast-feed my DD, she pushes away with her hands while simultaneously pulling hard on my nipple with her mouth and it hurts so much it can actually prevent me from relaxing enough to have my milk let down! I have plenty of milk, and she's continued to gain weight, but her behavior hurts me so much I'm thinking about weaning her even though I was planning on breast-feeding until she turns 1. Why is she doing this, and is there anything I can do to make her stop?
2) Just recently I've noticed that my DD sweats a lot while she's breast-feeding. I don't remember it being so noticeable before. I'm not sure if this is related to question #1 at all, but why do you think she's sweating?
Thanks for your thoughts! :)
Thanks everyone of the ideas/advice! Things are getting better. I take some of her layers off and she doesn't seem to sweat much that way (she isn't short of breath or pale). As for the bad pulling, I'm trying a few of the tricks you suggested and we'll see how things go over the next few weeks. Thanks again Mamas you're WONDERFUL! :)
It sounds like she is weaning herself. Babies sometimes choose to do this a little earlier than we would like. You could try pumping. The only reason I could imagine she is sweating is that she is getting hot. Good Luck!
She is probably teething. My DD went through this at 9 mos. and it drove me nuts! Turns out she was distracted (learning to walk) and teething at the same time. Try to push through if you can. I went through nursing strikes, biting, pumping, etc. We made it work until she was 11.5 mos. old. Good luck mama! Great job so far and if you have quit, know that you did your best to provide 6 great months in!
I would give my daughter something to hold while she nursed, that seemed to help with the push, pull, scratching, thing... As for the sweating, no Idea...
Good luck!
R.
This too shall pass. As babies grow and develop they go through many different phases at the breast and some of these behaviors are really hard to handle. Sometimes you can just ingnore them. You need to stop this behavior because it is causing you pain and to reconsider breastfeeding! Each and every time she starts this, stop the feeding lovingly and gently. Do not scream or over react as this will delight her and she will continue it like a game...make mommy scream....Haha
But if you stop the feeding sweetly and calmly over and over she will quickly get the idea and stop. Also explain it in words and praise her when she breastfeeds politely. Reward the soft gentle nursing. Sometimes these behaviors are related to teething pain, so make sure that she has baby tylenol if she needs it. Also the hot sweaty baby is very common at this age and just means that your body which is programmed to warm her up is still doing it's job. Remove some clothing or fan her a bit to help her cool down when she is close to you. I have a very clear and sweet picture of a ruddy angelic face with and chubby hands holding on to my breast with beads of sweat on the upper lip and forehead of my last baby to breastfeed 18 years ago. It goes by too fast, so cherish every moment and help your baby behave in a way that makes it an enjoyable experience for both of you. Your baby is just a baby and needs your guidance to behave. Even if you do nothing it will probably change in a few weeks, but you can help her change more quickly with calm and patience.
Hi Bonni-Jean,
Does your daughter seem short of breath when she nurses? If so, this can be why she's pulling away and also why she's sweating when nursing. How's her color in general, especially around her lips and fingernails? If it's pale or dusky blue, you need to make an appointment with your pediatrician.
i dont think the sweating is really related. some babies do sweat more than others, the close contact with skin obviously makes us all hotter. have her wear less clothes when she is feeding for her to be comfortable. nothing is hotter than skin to skin contact.
for the breastfeeding, i know sometimes babies do this when they are hungry right now!!! she may have hit a growth spurt or just may be more aware and impatient. she probaly is just mad that she wants the milk NOW, and its just not coming out fast enough. she is getting frustrated by a lighter trickle than what she wants. it would be kinda like the difference between level 1 and level 2 nipples. she wants it faster.
also, she could be teething and is biting since her teeth hurt while she is trying to eat. that could be very frustrating. or she may just be biting as some babies do that, not realizing it hurts.
i would take her off each time, sternly say no, and reattach her. do not let her remain on after causing pain. she really doesnt know whats going on, but its completely normal behavior, and most babies do it at one time or another for one reason or another. just make her aware when she does it, she gets taken off.
i would completely disagree this has anything to do with weaning. what you describe is completely normal stage alot of babies go through. good luck, im sure you can adjust to help. also, make sure you arent waiting until she is super hungry, try to get to her before that so she isnt too anxious.
Her behavior is normal. Some babies do this to "pull" the milk when they are hungry, some do this when teething and the tension feels good on the gums, some do it out of habit (much like some will pinch, squeeze, massage, scratch at the breast). You can grab the hands, put something else in her hands to play with while nursing or wear a nursing necklace, remove her from the breast everytime she does it and tell her firmly that it hurts or say no. Be consistent and know that it can take a couple weeks to break a habit.
As for sweating, she is using more energy when nursing, she also is getting better at regulating her body temperature and if you are both skin on skin, that will create sweat. Remove some clothing layers, or use a burp cloth, receiving blanket or a towel to layer between you and the baby to help.
She sounds fine and normal. And you are doing great! Just realize she may not be aware of her behavior, so you need to make her aware and break the habit. It will get better!
Probably teething - the best option is to use orajel before she nurses and see if it stops. They pull because it feels good on their gums - of course, your toes will curl! Forget the teething tablets - they are sugar pills and made my son HIGH and no pain relief.
I always used a little orajel and tylenol. The orajel give instant relief and the tylenol lasts long term.
IF you find she is still pulling, she is doing it to get your milk to flow faster. Try pumping or hand expressing for about 30 seconds before she nurses to get your flow going, then nurse her. This should fix it.
If you need anything, give me a shout. I am a peer counselor for breastfeeding moms and run the 100+ member Cape Cod Breastfeeding Moms club.
