Breastfeeding Problems for Babies

Babies all feed differently, and their personality, temperament and maturity will affect the way they take to breastfeeding. Once you begin to understand and accept your own baby’s foibles, the difficulties seem to diminish. Here are some of the more obvious types:

The Clockwatcher

This baby has a Quartz mechanism and wakes every three to four hours for a feed, sleeps regularly and for longer periods at night and is generally totally predictable. He also tends to be someone else’s baby!

The Dreamer

This baby likes to sleep and forgets to wake for meals. As long as he has at least six wet nappies a day, don’t worry, but dry nappies between feeds may mean he is not getting enough fluids – seek advice and check he is gaining weight by getting him weighed weekly. Some babies will suck in their sleep but, if not, loosen his clothes, bathe his face and talk and play with him to wake him up. If he falls asleep after one breast, change his nappy and try again. If he still sleeps, don’t worry and offer the other breast next feed.

The ‘I Want It Now’ Baby

Such a baby comes to the breast in a panic; roots frantically for the nipple; sucks vigorously and then chokes and splutters when the milk lets down. He screams with frustration and gets more upset the more you try to feed him. Recognise this baby? The answer may be feeding in a quiet place – he is not the sort to latch on happily when you are chatting to friends around the kitchen table. A little water before the feed may stem his immediate thirst and help him to start feeding more calmly. If he still panics let him suck your finger until he establishes a rhythm; then slip the nipple in his mouth. He often appreciates rocking or movement while feeding, so try a rocking chair or walking around. Best feeding times are when he is half asleep at night in the dark or riding in the back of a car.

The Anarchist

This baby wakes less than an hour after his last feed and seems ravenous, at other times hours pass and he is still uninterested. No two sleeps, feeds or days are alike and he is innocently driving you to distraction with his unpredictability. Demand feed at first, but gradually impose some sort of routine by feeding him when you are ready and distracting him with small drinks, pram rides, spells in a bouncing chair, baths and lengthy nappy changes with lots of exercise and chat when you are not ready. Keeping a diary helps because you can lose track of just when he was last fed – persevere and gradually a pattern will emerge.

The Piranha

Some babies bite frequently, clamping down on the nipple with their gums towards the end of a feed. Take it as a sign he has had enough because he cannot bite and suck at the same time, so sucking can no longer be very important. Older babies may try it experimentally when teething – withdraw the nipple and say ‘No’ firmly each time. He will sense your disapproval. Between feeds provide teething toys, and if he is old enough a rusk or a crust of bread to satisfy the chewing urge.

The Choosy Feeder

This baby will take only from one breast and leave you lop-sided. Offer the less favoured breast when he is most hungry at the beginning of each feed so that his sucking will stimulate the milk supply. Try a different feeding position, more upright or lying down. Some babies can be fooled if they are fed tucked under the arm with head towards the front: the change of angle seems to help.