Why does my baby fight me when breastfeeding?

Understanding Your Baby’s Behavior During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a natural and essential part of nurturing your baby, but it can sometimes come with its challenges. One common issue many mothers face is their baby fighting them during breastfeeding. This behavior can manifest in various ways, including fidgeting, pulling away, or even hitting. Understanding the reasons behind this can help alleviate frustration and improve the breastfeeding experience.
Normal Developmental Behaviors
It’s important to recognize that fidgeting and pulling away are normal behaviors for breastfeeding babies. As infants grow, they become more aware of their surroundings and may get easily distracted. This newfound curiosity can lead to them flailing or turning their heads away while nursing. Such actions are often not a rejection of breastfeeding but rather a natural part of their developmental stage.
Distraction and Overstimulation
Babies are particularly sensitive to their environment. If there are loud noises, bright lights, or even the presence of other people, your baby might become distracted. This distraction can lead to them pulling away or fighting against the breast. Creating a calm and quiet environment during feeding times can help your baby focus better on nursing.
Hunger and Frustration
Another reason your baby might fight during breastfeeding is hunger frustration. If they are very hungry and not getting enough milk quickly enough, they may become agitated. This can manifest as pulling away or fussing. Ensuring that your baby is latched properly and that you are comfortable can help facilitate a smoother feeding experience.
Teething and Discomfort
Teething can also play a significant role in your baby’s behavior while breastfeeding. The discomfort associated with teething can make babies irritable, leading them to bite or pull away during feeds. If you suspect teething is the issue, offering a teething toy before breastfeeding might help soothe their gums and make them more comfortable during feeding.
Seeking Comfort and Bonding
Lastly, it’s essential to remember that breastfeeding is not just about nutrition; it’s also a time for bonding. Sometimes, babies may fight against breastfeeding as they seek to assert their independence or explore their surroundings. This behavior can be a way for them to express their growing personality and desire for autonomy.
Conclusion
In summary, if your baby is fighting you during breastfeeding, it could be due to a variety of factors, including normal developmental behaviors, distractions, hunger frustration, teething discomfort, or a desire for independence. Understanding these reasons can help you respond with patience and adapt your approach to create a more positive breastfeeding experience for both you and your baby.

Why is my baby so frantic when bottle feeding?

The nipple needs to be the right size and speed for your baby’s size, age and sucking ability. If the nipple is too long, too short, too fast or too slow for your baby, she may experience feeding difficulties and express her frustration by fuss or crying.

Why does my baby fight while feeding?

Your Baby Has Gas or Reflux
Another reason your baby may be twisting and pulling while breastfeeding is that they may have gas or reflux. Reflux occurs when a baby’s tummy contents come back up into the esophagus. It’s very common in babies, and the most notable symptom is spitting up.

What is the 3 month breastfeeding crisis?

The third crisis occurs after three months, at this stage the baby has much greater suction strength and will take faster feedings as he is able to empty the breasts with greater speed, that is to say, take more in less time, this period coincides with the development of their hearing and vision, that makes everything …

Why does my baby get so angry when breastfeeding?

Sometimes, your milk lets down so fast that your baby can have trouble swallowing the amount of milk that’s being released. Because of this, your baby may act fussy at breast or choke and sputter at the breast, and he or she may be quite gassy.

Why is my baby thrashing around while breastfeeding?

Oversupply or forceful flow
When a mother is producing too much milk, her baby may often bring up milk, be very windy and want to nurse a lot. He may suffer with colic, and be fussy at the breast, arching away when the milk starts flowing.

Why does my baby get frantic while breastfeeding?

Breastmilk flow could be too fast or too slow
Or do you have so much milk that the baby pulls off and screams as soon as your let-down starts? Your baby likes his milk to flow at a pace that’s comfortable for him. Too fast can be uncomfortable and frightening, and too slow can be frustrating.

Why does my baby look angry when breastfeeding?

Baby’s fussing could mean “I’m not ready yet”. Perhaps the baby needs to burp or fill its nappy (or needs a nappy change) before he can relax and enjoy breastfeeding. Discomfort will distract him from feeding, and you may not realise what he needs to do until after the event!

Why does my baby fight me while breastfeeding?

If you are about to feed and visitors arrive, or your phone is not next to you, or you are anticipating pain or a struggle feeding, you don’t release the hormone oxytocin as quickly so the let-down is slower and the baby can get frustrated and pull away. This often leads to an upset baby and it can upset you too.

How to tell if baby is comfort nursing?

Your baby is only nursing for comfort nursing when you see these signs:

1. Flutter sucking, slowing down, stop sucking, or making little sucks.
2. Still and looking into space while nursing.
3. Holding the nipple in their mouth but not sucking for milk.
4. Rooting and sucking lightly at the breast.
5. Arching and grabbing ears.

Why does my baby hit me while breastfeeding?

Baby Hitting You While Nursing? That’s Actually A Great Sign Of Development At one point or another, fidgeting, pulling, getting distracted, and even flailing are all fairly normal behaviors for breastfeeding babies.