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.
A: If nursing is not the blissful bonding you were expecting, don't worry. Some squirming is normal, but if your baby is especially thrashy, she could be frustrated. One possibility is that your milk is coming out like gangbusters, making it hard for her to keep up.
They're going through a growth spurt
Little ones go through many developmental steps during the first weeks and months of their life. These can sometimes make them a little fussy and unsettled during feeds. Similarly, teething and feeling unwell can also disturb their feeds.
If your newborn baby is particularly squirmy and grunts while breastfeeding, it might be simply that she needs to burp. It could also be a warning that she's about to give you an extra job to do. Watch out for a 'pooplosion'! Babies soon let you know what is bothering them.
If your baby's kicking legs and flailing arms are accompanied by crying, or they seem agitated, it could be that they are gassy. Try winding them after a feed. If this is not a one-off occurrence, your baby could have symptoms of colic. Speak to your doctor or health visitor for advice.
Some babies have symptoms from gastroesophageal reflux (GER), and the fussiness can be confused with colic. Contact your child's doctor if your baby is fussy after feeding, has excessive spitting or vomiting, and is losing or not gaining weight. Sick (has a fever or other illness). Check your baby's temperature.
Your baby might be unlatching repeatedly for many reasons—including gas, illness, teething, or being distracted. Determine if you have an issue with poor latching, low milk flow, or too much milk supply, which can contribute to your baby latching and unlatching repeatedly.
Sometimes babies make grunting noises or have raspy or squeaky breathing. These sounds may be fine but you should discuss with your healthcare provider or International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). The most important thing to remember is that breastfeeding should not be painful.
One of the most common reasons for a baby kicking while breastfeeding is because of an oversupply of milk. This is when your breasts expel more milk, especially in the beginning, than your baby can take in. He kicks and cries because he's trying to slow the flow and take a breath.
Your baby may be ready to change sides; when you can no longer see or hear him swallowing and he also starts to squirm and wiggle. However, this can also occur if he wants to burp. So try to burp him first and return him to the same breast. If he continues to fuss, then offer him your other breast.
While smaller babies may simply nurse without many distractions, older ones may start “playing” with your breasts, grabbing your nose, pulling at your shirt, twirling your hair, or performing acrobatics when breastfeeding. All of these behaviors are completely normal for more mobile babies.
A baby will unlatch naturally when she's finished breastfeeding. You shouldn't ever have to take your baby off your breast. Whether she falls asleep or just pulls away, she'll know when to unlatch when she's ready.
If your baby's swallowing has slowed, they have started to fall asleep, and/or they seem frustrated at the breast, it's time to switch sides. Sometimes switching breasts multiple times per feeding can be useful, especially in cases of sleepy babies or low milk supply.
Offer both breasts at every feeding—but don't worry if your baby seems content after just one breast. Each breast can provide a full meal. Try to feed him again sooner rather than later (as soon as you see those early signs of hunger).
You may only need to use a breast hold for a short time. As your baby gets older, breastfeeding becomes more established, and you become more confident, you might find that you no longer need to hold your breast when your baby latches on to breastfeed.
Breastfeeding creates a bonding experience between mother and child because it promotes skin-to-skin contact, more holding and stroking. Many experts say that affectionate bonding during the first years of life helps lessen social and behavioral problems in both children and adults.
Myth: Babies who have been breastfed are clingy.
All babies are different. Some are clingy and some are not, no matter how they are fed. Breastfeeding provides not only the best nutrition for infants, but is also important for their developing brain.
If your baby is not satisfied with the first breast, offer the second breast. Try nursing on only one breast at each feeding, if possible. Over time, you may notice your milk supply and "let-down reflex" (the milk ejection reflex) get easier to handle.
15 minutes or less should get you empty. Most milk comes out in the first 8 minutes (whether pumping or nursing). The automatic LET DOWN feature on high-end machines pump quickly for 2 minutes and then switch to a slower cycle to mimic how babies nurse for the let-down.
Despite views to the contrary, breasts are never truly empty. Milk is actually produced nonstop—before, during, and after feedings—so there's no need to wait between feedings for your breasts to refill.