BFing is NOT going well.

[TrudyCampbell]

I feel so torn. On the one hand, I just sobbed reading KDrake's article about weaning and I do not want to wean her, ever. On the other hand, almost every single time I nurse her now it is a nightmare. She completely resists it at first and acts like I'm trying to torture her. If I can get her to actually latch she will bite me (very hard) after just a few minutes. We haven't had a relaxing, sweet, snuggly nursing session in a very long time.

I just want her to want to nurse! It's making me miserable.

[lookafteryou]

Maybe it's just a phase. But do what's best for you!

[eav2c]

Could you try side lay nursing? Colin won't do anything but at this point and when I do it's a nightmare and he doesn't care to really either. When we side lay it's a whole other story. I am really sorry you are struggling with this. It's an emotional thing for sure and the thought of weaning makes me feel so sad.

[TrudyCampbell]

Jan 12, 2013 18:37:45 GMT -5 eav2c said:

Could you try side lay nursing? Colin won't do anything but at this point and when I do it's a nightmare and he doesn't care to really either. When we side lay it's a whole other story. I am really sorry you are struggling with this. It's an emotional thing for sure and the thought of weaning makes me feel so sad.

I haven't tried side lying in a really long time. It's worth a shot. You're right, it is SO emotional! It's so hard to have our normal routine changed.

[charlielove]

I'm sorry you are dealing with this! It's more than likely a phase (we are going through a difficult one here too). Have you done anything specifically to deture the biting?

[mikehoncho]

First of all, I'm so sorry you are feeling so torn with this. You're doing an amazing job and breastfeeding is not an easy one! Are you thinking about weaning to formula? If so, there are plenty of positives to switching (just trying to find the silver lining here!)

I'm sorry you are having a hard time, hopefully like PP said this is just a phase.

[Deleted]

Aww Trudy that sucks!! I really feel for you, esp. as I just read that article too I agree with the others, side lying can be more relaxing for them. Let us know if it makes a difference?

[TrudyCampbell]

As crazy as it may sound, I'm really not considering stopping. I really just want it to go back to going well and then I can re-consider weaning when she turns 1. I hope it's just a phase!

As far as the biting, all I've done is tell her "no" firmly and ending the feeding. She seems to think it's hilarious. One time I raised my voice as I said it because she hurt me so much and I felt so bad that I had scared her but it turns out she was hysterically laughing and all smiles. Soooo maybe she likes torturing me?

[kdrake8]

Trudy - our best nurses right now are always side lying! I hope this helps you!!!

I hope I didn't make you extra sad

[carawestt]

I'm sorry. I know sometimes Lincoln doesn't want to settle down enough to nurse because he'd rather be playing/exploring. Do you actually sit her down to eat because it has been a certain number of hours since her last feeding or is she showing you signs that she's hungry?

[lauranicole91]

7.5-8 months was when Pey started her nursing strike. I swear for about 3 weeks she was too wiggly and too distracted to nurse. The only time I got letdown a was in the MOTN when she was half asleep. I watches my supply tank and it was killing me. But then I remembered dahlia's post about how that was about when H started striking and she still went on successfully. So I kept telling myself it was a phase.

What helped was trying new positions. Different surroundings. I'd have to take her in her room with the white noise on to get her to latch and stay latched.

I am afraid I have no input on the biting though. Ugh I am so sorry that's still going on!!

[TrudyCampbell]

Jan 12, 2013 19:02:08 GMT -5 carawestt said:

I'm sorry. I know sometimes Lincoln doesn't want to settle down enough to nurse because he'd rather be playing/exploring. Do you actually sit her down to eat because it has been a certain number of hours since her last feeding or is she showing you signs that she's hungry?

Hm, this could be a good point because I'm just going by the clock and not by any actual hunger signs. I don't even know if she has hunger signs these days!? I have just been so concerned with getting in enough nursing sessions per day. Maybe I'm offering it to her too often?

[sunshineluv]

We have to Side lay nurse in a dark room sometimes for him not to get distracted. But I wanted to ask, do you think your diet effected your supply? Could that make it more work for her and she gets frustrated? Or your period? My supply tanks during my period.

[carawestt]

Jan 12, 2013 19:10:53 GMT -5 TrudyCampbell said:

Jan 12, 2013 19:02:08 GMT -5 carawestt said:

I'm sorry. I know sometimes Lincoln doesn't want to settle down enough to nurse because he'd rather be playing/exploring. Do you actually sit her down to eat because it has been a certain number of hours since her last feeding or is she showing you signs that she's hungry?

Hm, this could be a good point because I'm just going by the clock and not by any actual hunger signs. I don't even know if she has hunger signs these days!? I have just been so concerned with getting in enough nursing sessions per day. Maybe I'm offering it to her too often?

That might be it. I know Lincoln usually bites if he's not quite hungry yet. He'll latch and suck a couple times but then he'll start biting and, like Violet, smiling and laughing. They don't realize it hurts, they just think they're playing. I've noticed that when Lincoln is hungry, he will crawl to me and mouth my shirt or pull it down. But not all babies have obvious hunger signs that like. I would say if it has been 3-4 hours, wait before offering it and see if she gets fussy or shows signs that she's ready to eat. Hope things get better!

[cat19]

I feed on demand - we've had no real biting issues except when she falls asleep nursing and slips off. But there are times like right now where it's clearly a snack - she's on and off for a couple of minuets. But she still has high quantity feeds before nap times and the such. But she snacks through out the day. So if you don't mind being available like that all the time, on demand may work for you!

[bebeetmoi]

Oh Trudy I am so very sorry After reading all the comments it very well may be that she is being fed due to the time, and not her hunger. Maybe try one afternoon where you ignore the clock (or try to!) and try to detect and make out her hunger signs? Then see if she resists the way she has been lately? Are you back using the nipple shield? That may have something to do with it also.
I hope it's just a phase and will pass VERY soon!

[TrudyCampbell]

Jan 12, 2013 19:14:37 GMT -5 sunshineluv said:

We have to Side lay nurse in a dark room sometimes for him not to get distracted. But I wanted to ask, do you think your diet effected your supply? Could that make it more work for her and she gets frustrated? Or your period? My supply tanks during my period.

I know the last time I dieted my supply tanked which is why I quit dieting. As far as I can tell my supply is okay this time. I'm sure it's gone down a bit but she's eating lots of solids so it doesn't seem to be as drastic. I pump once a day and I've been getting the usual amount.

[thedahliharpa]

Sorry Trudy! Nursing in pitch black for a week or so is how we survived H's 8mos strike. The whole thing was horrible! But after that it was much better. I feel for you.

[vthokie]

Ansley has definitely cut back her milk intake, or at least the number of sessions. The only time I get bitten is if she isn't hungry and she's just hanging out on the boob. Hopefully it's just a little phase. She's probably too interested in all her new skills to be bothered by food.

[jenbelle]

Jan 12, 2013 19:00:45 GMT -5 kdrake8 said:

Trudy - our best nurses right now are always side lying! I hope this helps you!!!

I hope I didn't make you extra sad

Ours too. I hope things get better.

[Deleted]

I have to go in a dark room with white noise and cuddle on the chair for a few minutes before I try to nurse her. Unless she's starving then its a little easier..

[joyhart02]

I can only suggest what everyone else has. I am sorry you are going through a rough patch.

My only suggestion is try changing your surroundings and feed her I'm a dark room with little distraction. Dd2 can not nurse at all with anyone else in the room she turns her head and my nip goes with her.

[claralou]

I'm sorry Trudy- this sounds so frustrating. One thing that might help is to give her another hour between feeds. (I needed C on a schedule because of work, so had to make one up based on her on demand feedings on weekends. Luckily, she's like a little clock and pretty predictable) We went through something similar a month or so ago- I bumped her up to every four hours for nursing and she finally started eating again. Some days are better than others with length of feeds, but this was huge for us. Worth a shot? Big Hugs.

[Deleted]

I am sorry Trudy!! I don't BF, but we are going through the same thing with FF. He gets sooo mad and will not take it. I've come to realize I can't force it, and he's at the point where if he's hungry, he'll drink it. Its harder for me, becaues formula costs money and I waste a LOT, but I notice a distinct difference in waiting until he's actually hungry (and he really doesnt have hungry cues either. I just 'know' because its been a loong time and he's super fussy), and just making a bottle because its been 3 hours. I second everything Cara said!

[creamsiclechica]

Trudy, A bites too, a lot. Broke the skin even a week or so ago, so it was positively miserable here too. I was going by the clock too, and I think that was contributing to it, because she was spacing herself out and I wasn't. I also take her into my bed without lights and the shades drawn to get away from the dogs, the noise, and give her less to notice. She started giving me hunger cues she didn't before now that I've started to wait some. She's also biting less. I think V might be saying the same things, just judging by how when you were out last week, she wasn't interested in eating for a longer than usual time. I think everyone's advice is good, and I'm hoping you can work right through it, but man is it tough! Also, A thinks me stopping a feed, saying no, or even yelping in pain as an absolute reaction is the funniest thing on the planet.

[devotchka]

Jan 12, 2013 18:33:20 GMT -5 TrudyCampbell said:

I feel so torn. On the one hand, I just sobbed reading KDrake's article about weaning and I do not want to wean her, ever. On the other hand, almost every single time I nurse her now it is a nightmare. She completely resists it at first and acts like I'm trying to torture her. If I can get her to actually latch she will bite me (very hard) after just a few minutes. We haven't had a relaxing, sweet, snuggly nursing session in a very long time.

I just want her to want to nurse! It's making me miserable.

Wow! Poor thing, I wonder what this is all about. Have you tried nursing in bed/in the dark? I've heard that ear infections can affect nursing and babies can go on strike because it hurts to nurse.

Also, not sure how helpful this is for you, I think it depends on wether you have the time or energy to do this but I read about doing "nurse-ins" or basically stay in bed and nurse for as long as possible (they say all day but how is that possible for anyone!?) - that will bring your supply back up and it may help w/ a strike. I did this w/ M a few times when he seemed uninterested during the day and would nurse all night and I couldn't sleep as a result. Hugs! Hope you figure it out soon + you can get back to your normal nursing relationship!

[spaghetticat]

I'm sorry it's not going well. I think everyone has had great suggestions so far. I just wanted to tell you that I can relate to not quitting even though it seems a little crazy to want to keep going. Hang in there!

[Deleted]

Jan 12, 2013 20:25:53 GMT -5 @tambcat said:

Yes, ugh, I've wasted so much formula.

I know. Sometimes I want to cry when I watch it go down the drain...

[silverjm]

I'm so sorry Trudy. Like others have said, we have trouble getting L to take bottles too. I kind of resort to waiting 'til he's overly hungry and fussy. I hope it gets better for you soon.

[mamasaurus]

Aw, Trudy. I am sad for you. ({)