Having stressful days here lately again...Laura is refusing to breastfeed :(
Tuesday we went grocery shopping and she ate at 11:30am. We got home shortly after at 12:30. She napped on and off through the afternoon and by 5 she still hadn't eaten. I'd tried a few times when she appeared hungry but she just screamed at me. Finally at 5:30, I gave her a 1/2 ounce bottle that I pumped off and then was able to switcher-oo her to the boob. She ate fine at 7. Ate fine at 10...and was fine for the rest of that overnight and all day yesterday too. Then last evening...same thing. She ate at 3:30 and at 5:30 she outright refused me! Screamed, arched her back, huge tears...but would take a bottle just fine. I only gave her a half ounce and figured it would settle her down and I'd try again next time she was hungry. Around 7ish she repeated that all over and got another 1/2 ounce by bottle. 9pm hit and she was still out of sorts... not screaming all the time...actually very happy lying on the floor or in the swing, during her bath, but if she was held or if she was hungry she just screamed at me. At 9, I gave her a 2 ounce bottle and put her to bed. She did fine for her 2am feeding...and was fine for her 6am feeding too. But then at 8am today... back to the screaming arching back thing :( I was able to give her a bit from the bottle and switch her over. Then we napped and when she was up at 10:30 she did it again :( After a few sucks on the bottle I was able to get her on though... REALLY not sure what's going on.
My theories are:
Teething...but why is it only happening in the evening (until today?) She's chewing her fists, blowing spit bubbles, and chews on my finger if I put it in her mouth...
Nipple confusion... she's started loving her pacifier this past week, but we really only give it to her to help get her to sleep - she she can go all day without it.
Overtired... She didn't nap really well Tuesday and then yesterday we were gone from 12:30-4:30, but I made sure she got a really good morning nap in before we left. And when we got home at 4:30 she took quite a few cat naps during the evening. ...and would she really be overtired this early in the morning? She went from really happy and smiling when her daddy was home this morning to just screaming when she wanted to eat.
I did call the doctor's office this morning. Was hoping Kit was there... but she wasn't. Another lactation consultant called me back and we discussed it. Doesn't appear to be any illness. Laura's wetting and pooing just fine. She is happy and content the rest of the time - just refusing the breast. I'm worried that she'll start wanting the bottle more becuase it's easier... so Jenn (the LC) suggested that next time I try to get her started with a dropper of milk instead of the bottle - so I've got that ready just in case. BUT - if that is the case - I hope this isn't the end of our breastfeeding relationship... starting Monday she'll be getting bottles all day when I'm back to work... We both worked so hard for the first month of her life to get this breastfeeding thing down that I'd hate to have it end sooner rather than later. Jenn told me to definitely call back if Laura keeps refusing the breast.
She's napping now... I wonder if she'll want me when she wakes up ?
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