Newborn Latches On, No Sucking, Hysterical For 15-60 Min.

[NManegold]

My wife and I have been working with our baby girl who is now 5 days old. Each time she feeds, she latches quickly, but cries on and off, and is extremely fussy. She will not start sucking as well. This can be anywhere from 10 min. to 60 min. of time before actual feeding takes place. She is currently using a nipple shield. Has anyone else experienced this? I know she would appreciate any advice or tips, tricks, etc. Thank you! I can provide more details if necessary.

[Amy_G_]

At the first peep, is baby put to the breast, or do you change diaper and get baby settled, and then baby explodes with cries of frustration? crying is a late indicator of hunger, and it's much better to look for rooting, grunting or sucking on hand/fingers as signs of hunger, often before baby is completely awake.

what is baby's weight, loss after birth? any chance she's regained weight or not?
has latch been evaluated by anyone in person? why is she using a nipple shield?
often it makes it harder for baby to express the milk.

[ima062002]

What happens between her first attempts and the actual feeding? Do you have a letdown? Could it be that your milk comes fast and furious (i.e. are you spraying all over the place if you take her off, is she choking, sputtering?)?

I too wonder why you guys are using a nipple shield.

Has she gotten bottles in her five days of life?

This is a very good link which enumerates reasons for babies being fussy at the breast. Let us know if anything fits.

[Amy_G_]

you forgot your link ima.

[crissyy]

My initial thought was over-active-letdown also. Is baby gassy? How about stool color/appearance?

[ima062002]

Oops, http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/fussy-while-nursing.html