I have been breastfeeding my four-month with success although he tends to get bothered with tummy issues. Recently he has been crying and arching his back while feeding just during a certain time of the day only but it's enough for me to want to understand what the cause is. He's always been a good burper and sometimes his distress is an indication he's about to have a bowel movement. What I want to know, do most babies get really fussy and pull off the breast when they need to empty their bowels? Is there is something I need to avoid eating/drinking to alleviate his fussiness? What have you successfully taken away from your diet? A little more about our feeding is that I have decided I have a "slow flow" as he was eating for an hour every two hours up until a few weeks ago. His 4-month appointment is next week and we are guessing he'll be in the 90 something percentile with his weight/height.
If you baby is arching his back he may have acid reflux! Back arching while eating is the main sign. My son had it and it's so sad. You should go and see the pediatrician...you will probably get a Zantac prescription which worked wonders for us!! Your son will probably grow out of it at 5-6 months. Good Lick!
It is normal for some babies to get fussy and pull off for a bowel movement...the sensation is still uncomfortable for them...even though they do it sooo many times a day. I find my almost 3 month old does better with tummy issues when I limit my dairy intake. Little ones don't have the enzymes to properly digest cows milk, which can upset their tummies and create the arched back issue, also make sure you are burping often enough...especially if he nurses for that long.
Hope his tummy stays happy...
E
My daughter does this too, and sometimes its that she needs to empty her bowels but sometimes its because she is not hungry. She wants to keep sucking I think because she likes it but doesn't understand that she is full and that is why she isn't enjoying it. I think she gets frustrated that she is full and can't continue nursing. Hearing that your baby is nursing for an hour and in the 90th percentile makes me wonder if you are experiencing the same thing. :)
A., all little ones are different when it comes to moving their bowels. That said I remember recently watching my little niece (now 4 months old) feeding when her mama new she had to go... she did a bit of squirming too. But, if you think that the uncomfortable tummy could be related to your diet, I'd first cut out dairy from your diet. kellymom.com has information in the section called "Life with Baby" about eliminating foods to help with possible allergies. They also have great info on increasing your supply under "Breastfeeding", just in case the slow flow is supply related.
I was a low supply mama and found that www.herblore.com had a wonderful tincture that helped increase my supply so that I could breastfeed my dd for almost a year. (Other health issues stopped me from going for the whole year.)
I hope you find out the reason for your little one's fussiness soon. Good luck
A.,
Are you still taking any vitamins? I do know that sometimes vitamin supplements also irritate babies for some reason-
Hi. I would suggest not eating dairy. I would suggest starting there and if after a few days there is no improvement then look at your diet and see what would be a possibly cause. I had to refrain from peanut butter with my 1st child and chocolate wiht my 2nd. When I ate the above and then breasfed later the baby would be very upset during and then really upset after.
Also maybe try burbing in the middle, maybe that will help.
Something else I did that many ppl have different opinions on is, I used Gripe Water for my 2nd baby. She was so fussy with digestiion that I would give her Gripe Water before a feeding and sometime after. It was a life saver for us.
Best of luck!
