Fussy baby, is it yeast?

At a couple of feedings every day (usually in the afternoon and early evening), my baby will suck for a few seconds, pull back his head and let go of the nipple, and cry. Sometimes I can get him to go back on he'll repeat the pulling and crying a couple of times and then eventually settle down and eat), and sometimes I can't. If he doesn't finish eating, he's hungry and we have a lot of fussing and crying, so for a while we were giving him a bottle whenever he wouldn't nurse. I would prefer that he nurse as much as possible, though, and only get bottles when I'm not around. Our pediatrician says it sounds like he gets frustrated because the milk isn't letting down fast enough for him, and that I should stop giving him bottles so he understands that if he's hungry (and I'm there) he has to nurse and just stick with it until the milk lets down. I've been sticking to her advice for a few days but haven't seen any improvement.

The baby has been crying and fussing a LOT more than is normal for him. He's very unhappy, and so am I. I feel like he's rejecting me and I'm taking it very personally. I don't know what to do.






Dear Nancy,

Your sons behavior sounds very suggestive of yeast. Is his tongue white? Does he have a diaper rash? Are your nipples pink, or do they burn? When a child has thrush, they are fussy, gassy, they are on and off the breast a lot. I would eliminate the bottles right now until things are better. Don't take it personally, your son is not rejecting you. If you or your son have yeast (thrush) you must BOTH be treated or you will pass it back and forth. Check with your health care provider for treatment.

Good Luck,

Denise G Hewson RN IBCLC





 

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