Help! Baby Keeps Pulling Off Breast And Relatching!

Ever found yourself in a breastfeeding battle with your little one, who's squirming, crying, and treating your boob like a yo-yo?

It's like a comedy of errors where your baby acts like they're both hungry and not hungry at the same time, leaving you scratching your head and wondering, "Do you want the boob or not!?" 😄

Babies can switch from latch to unlatch for various reasons, and it might change from one feeding to the next. 

So, welcome to the world of baby boob confusion – it's a wild ride! 🎢🍼

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The many reasons why baby keeps pulling of the breast and relatching

Fast letdown

If your baby gets fussy when your milk is letting down or right after,, it might be because your milk is coming out like a waterfall! One possibility is that you have a fast let-down. Here's what you can do:

• Try pumping a bit before feeding to express the foremilk, which might not fill her up as much as the hindmilk would.

• Experiment with a laid-back nursing position. Think nearly flat on a bed or couch. Gravity can help your baby manage that speedy milk flow.

• Stick to one breast for a full feeding to regulate the milk flow and prevent overstimulation.

• Take breaks to burp your baby during feeds to release excess air and avoid choking.

• Make sure one breast is emptied before switching sides to regulate the milk flow.

Your Baby Wants To Switch Breasts or they prefer one side

Guess what? Your baby might be playing favorites! It's possible they're just picky about which breast they prefer. So, if your little one gets fussy, it might mean they want to switch sides.

It could be that one breast produces more milk, or they've had their fill on one side and are still hungry. It might sound a bit silly, but some babies have their preferred "go-to" side.

As long as you can keep your other side comfortable and pumped if needed, there's usually no harm in letting them have their way. Babies can be quite the connoisseurs! 😄🍼

New baby learning to latch

If your newborn keeps unlatching and crying during feeding, don't worry! You can try a handy trick: hand expression and spoon feeding. This nifty technique can help "reset" your baby, encourage them to position their tongue forward, and make them feel more settled before giving breastfeeding another shot. Just cuddle up with your little one skin-to-skin, take a deep breath together, and try again. You've got this! 😊🥄👶

Nipple confusion from bottle feeding

Let's talk about "nipple confusion" during bottle feeding. See, with a bottle, milk flows instantly and continuously, and the baby doesn't have to put in much effort. So, after having lots of bottles, your baby might start preferring the easy route of bottle-feeding.

This can lead to frustration at the breast, especially when the milk flow slows down after the first let-down. If your baby's getting bottles, you might want to consider giving them a break, at least for a while. When you do use a bottle, stick to a newborn nipple for as long as your baby can handle it. This way, they have to put in a bit more work to get the milk, which can help maintain their breastfeeding skills. 😊🍼

Allergy or food sensitivity

You know, some babies can get a bit fussy during nursing if they have allergies or food sensitivities. It's like they come to the breast all hungry and excited, but then they taste or smell something in the milk that doesn't agree with their tummy. So, they might start pulling away, shaking their head, or acting a bit off.

But don't worry, sensitivity to stuff in mom's diet isn't super common. If it is the issue, you'd probably notice other signs like lots of spitting up, colicky behavior, diarrhea, a rash, a stuffy or runny nose, or extra gassy moments. So, keep an eye out for those too! 😕🍼

Reflux

You might notice that your sweet bundle of joy gets a bit fussy at the breast because of reflux. 

Reflux is basically when that sneaky stomach acid makes its way back up the pipes, creating an unpleasant sensation. And who can blame the baby for getting a tad fussy when this happens during their mealtime, right?  So, if you suspect reflux is crashing your breastfeeding gathering, it might be time to have a chat with your pediatrician to figure out the best game plan.

Tongue-Tie

A tongue-tie is basically when the strip of skin beneath the baby's tongue is a tad shorter than usual, which can limit their tongue's range of motion. This can make latching on and breastfeeding a bit challenging and sometimes uncomfortable for your little one.

So, it's no surprise that they might get a bit fussy during feeds. It's like trying to sip a milkshake through a straw with a kink in it – not the smoothest experience, right?

If you suspect that your baby's fussiness at the breast might be due to a tongue-tie, it's a good idea to chat with a healthcare professional. They can help you figure out if this little hitch is indeed the culprit and offer guidance on what steps to take next. 🍼👶🎉

Distractions

As your baby grows and starts noticing the big, exciting world around them, they might become the ultimate latching and unlatching pros at the breast. It can be a tad frustrating, but here's the silver lining – it means your baby's mind is blooming with curiosity.

So, if your munchkin seems to pop off the breast every time a leaf rustles or a butterfly flits by, you've got yourself a distracted nurser.

Here's the game plan: Find a peaceful, distraction-free zone for nursing. Think quiet rooms, sans the TV, playful siblings, or blinding lights. And here's a clever trick – attach a stroller toy or a teether to your shirt. It might just be the perfect distraction to keep your little one focused on the meal at hand without those frequent unlatching escapades. Happy nursing in peace!

Fussy evenings

Ah, the evening breast-time battles – a classic tale in the parenting playbook! You see, many young babies have this uncanny knack for pulling off and fussing at the breast when the sun starts to set.

It's like they're saying, "Hey, it's evening, and I've got some fussing to do!" But here's the thing, there's often a reason behind this little drama.

As the day winds down, your baby might be a tad more tired or irritable. After all, they've been soaking in the world, learning, growing, and taking in all sorts of new experiences. So, when evening rolls around, they might just need a little extra comfort, and the breast is like a warm, familiar hug.

It's not uncommon for babies to get a bit finicky during this time, especially when they're still trying to figure out this whole breastfeeding gig. Plus, evenings can be when your milk supply might be a bit lower than earlier in the day, which could make them a bit impatient.

So, if you find your little one staging a mini protest at the breast in the evenings, know that you're not alone. It's all part of the adventure of parenting. Just snuggle up, offer that comforting breast, and let them fuss it out as they settle into the night. 🌙🍼👶

Slow flow

Sometimes the milk might be flowing too slowly, and that can lead to frustration and unlatching. It could even happen on one breast while the other is doing just fine.

Here's a neat trick: if your little one's getting annoyed by slow milk flow on one side, try switching to the other breast and then circle back – sometimes that helps.

Now, slow milk flow isn't something you can control, and it doesn't mean your milk supply is lacking. It's more like your baby isn't getting as much milk as they want in that moment.

When they do that funny thing of burying their head in, yanking back with your nipple still in their mouth, and then crying – it's like they're trying to DIY the milk flow, much like kittens or puppies.

You can give breast compression a shot – gently compress from the top of your breast toward the nipple while your baby is sucking, then pause while they swallow. It's kind of like hand expressing milk but should feel painless.

This can help speed up the milk flow and keep your baby from getting frustrated. So, you'll both be back in the breastfeeding groove in no time! 🍼👶✨

Low Milk Supply

If your baby always seems hungry after a feed, gets frustrated at the breast, and isn't gaining weight as expected, you might be dealing with a low milk supply.

A low supply can often be boosted. The key is to pay attention to your baby's signals and consult your pediatrician and an IBCLC to ensure your baby is getting enough to eat.

Gas 

Gas trouble, oh, the drama it can bring during nursing! If your little one's got a case of the gassies, it can really put a damper on your feeding sessions. They might need to burp, let out some gas, or even take care of business in the diaper department, making things a bit uncomfortable.

Here's the game plan: Don't wait until the end of the feed to burp your baby. Try burping them frequently throughout the session, especially when they decide to unlatch – that's your cue to check for a burp. Give it another go when you switch sides and, of course, after they've had their fill.

Teething

Oh, those tiny toothy surprises lurking beneath your baby's adorable gums! Yep, there's a teething adventure waiting to happen in there, and it might be causing some discomfort.

But don't worry, teething pain usually doesn't stick around for long, just a few days per tooth. Phew!

Here's a nifty trick: give your baby a cold breast milk-soaked washcloth or a teether toy to nibble on before nursing. It can work like a pre-latching gum massage to soothe those sore little gums and make feeding time a bit more bearable for both of you. 😁🦷🍼

Growth Spurt

Buckle up, because your baby's in for a rollercoaster of growth and brainpower upgrades!  As your little one's noggin gets all wired up with new connections, they might go through some pretty cranky and unsettled phases. It's like they're having a brainy growth spurt of their own!

During these times, babies often pull off and fuss at the breast. These growth spurts, also known as frequency days, tend to happen during the first few days at home, around 7-10 days, 2-3 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 3 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 9 months (give or take a bit).

It's completely normal, and your baby's just getting used to all those new feelings and sensations.

Tiredness

Most babies love nursing to sleep, but some give you the "thanks but no thanks" vibe when they’re super tired.

So, here's your game plan: always keep an eye out for their cues. If they're giving the "I'm not thrilled about this" signal, no worries! There are other routes to the land of ZZZs.

Thrush

You might notice something unusual on your baby’s tongue – it looks like milk residue, but it just won't wipe away. Well, that might be a sign of something called candida albicans, also known as thrush.

Now, thrush isn't just a tongue issue; it can also make your nipples feel pretty rough if they get infected. Ouch!

If you've got any worries that either you or your baby might have thrush, it's time for a little professional checkup. Your trusty doctor or healthcare expert can give you the lowdown and help you figure out what's going on.

Menstruation

Did you know your breast milk can actually change when you go through ovulation or when Aunt Flo pays a visit?

And here's the plot twist – these changes might be the reason your little one's getting a tad fussy at the breast or giving nursing the cold shoulder. 

Pregnancy

When you become pregnant, your breast milk can do a bit of a shape-shift, just like when your period's in town. And you know what's amazing? Babies, even these tiny little bundles of joy, are like little detectives. They can totally pick up on these changes.

Stuffy nose

If your baby's got a case of nasal congestion, it's like trying to sip through a straw when the straw's all clogged up – not fun.

So, here's the game plan: when you're feeding, try giving your baby a little boost, like a small incline using the cradle hold. This helps her keep her tiny head somewhat upright, making it easier to breathe.

Next up, grab some nasal saline drops or a suction tool to clear her nose. It's like giving her a little highway to breathe better.

And for the grand finale, run a humidifier or vaporizer in the room. It's like adding a touch of moisture to the air, which can really help ease that stuffiness.

Bad positioning

Get comfy, bring baby close, make sure their feet are secure, and let them explore with their hands. To defy gravity, lean back a bit and get in the “laid back breastfeeding” position.

2 tips to help when baby gets fussy at the breast

PRO-TIP #1: Alternate with a pacifier

Here's a neat trick to ease those baby twists and turns: grab a pacifier! After your baby’s given it about 10 or 20 good sucks, see if they’ll then cozy up to your breast more calmly. It can be like a little relaxation break, especially if they’re a fan of pacifier time during the day. Plus, it's a way for them to figure out that the pacifier isn't delivering the breast milk goodness, making them more likely to give nursing a shot. Pacifier power! 🍼👶😄

PRO-TIP #2: Don’t stress

Feeling confident and in control right from the start is key. Babies are incredibly tuned in to their moms, so if you're stressed, they can sense it. On the flip side, when you're confident, your baby feels safe and secure. So, rock that confidence, Mom! 💪👶💕

What can I do if I can’t figure out why my baby is fussing at the breast?

If you’re worried and nothing you do seems to work, then reach out for help. 

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