My five month old has stopped wanting to nurse the past couple days. He'll act hungry, then suck for two seconds and pull off. And then cry because he's hungry! I gave him a bottle today, he polished off 8oz in no time, so he was hungry, but he refused to nurse.
He has two teeth coming in and his gums are swollen, do you think it has anything to do with that? Or a slow let down? I'm just trying to think of anything I can hopefully fix to get him back to nursing, I do NOT want to wean him already.
colin-mylilguy
05-29-2011, 02:08 PM
My LO did that, too. It lasted 2-3 days and then went back to normal like nothing happened. I don't use bottles, though, so he kinda had to nurse, KWIM? I was super full all the time and had to pump 2-3 times a day because he just wasn't taking as much. Like I said, though, after the third day, he was fine. He still doesn't have any teeth, though. Maybe LO has a virus?? My Pedi said it could be that, too. Does he have a fever, even a low-grade one? Mucous in his poop? Extra drooling? Chewing/Biting? From what you describe, it really does sound like teething, though. Try something cold to let him knaw on before he nurses. That was what helped my LO to be able to eat. I'd hand him a cold teether, he suck and bite on it for a few minutes then toss it and open his mouth and I'd BF him. That seemed to really help him.
Either way, though, I'm sure it will pass. If he goes more than 3 days or spikes a temp over 100.4 I'd call the Pedi. Otherwise, I'd stick to BFing and wait it out. ;)
rachelandtyke
05-29-2011, 02:12 PM
Yes, teething discomfort can make little ones not want to nurse. I try teething tablets and teething gel (but NOT oragel that numbs, something like Hylands). When it's really bad, we also do motrin. You can try giving something cold to chew on before nursing, like a damp washcloth that is slightly frozen. Sometimes that helps relieve the pain enough for the little one to nurse. Often with teething, the baby will either nurse a lot more or a lot less due to discomfort.
colin-mylilguy
05-29-2011, 02:30 PM
Yes, teething discomfort can make little ones not want to nurse. I try teething tablets and teething gel (but NOT oragel that numbs, something like Hylands). When it's really bad, we also do motrin. You can try giving something cold to chew on before nursing, like a damp washcloth that is slightly frozen. Sometimes that helps relieve the pain enough for the little one to nurse. Often with teething, the baby will either nurse a lot more or a lot less due to discomfort.
ooooh, careful with hylands and other teething relief tablets.... I'd stay away from those. Hylands was recalled because it contains an ingredient called "bella donna" which wasn't being regulated well by the company and children were showing up at Pedi offices and ERs with signs of Bella Donna toxicity and Poisoning.... Very scary. ETA: Bella Donna is a known neurotoxin - google it. In the Roman days, people used it as a food poison to kill someone.... I know there are arguments that "in safe doses its okay" but I wouldn't mess with it. I wouldn't want my LO exposed to a known neurotoxin even in "small doses" especially when you can't be sure what the dose even is in these products... they don't have to declare that info and it isn't regulated.
Sorry, I don't mean to "finger wag" but as a nurse, that teething remedy just makes me cringe.
The FDA doesn't regulate these "herbal remedies" so you must be cautious in using them. Read labels. Always, Always read labels before you give LO anything - even "safe" medications. Its very easy to overdoes, too.
I'd stick to natural teething remedies. :2cents: Cold wash cloth, chilled teething toys, mom's clean finger, if older than 6 months and taking solids, try chilled or frozen fruits in a mesh feeder. Nuby makes a great one, so does Sassy - easier to clean than Munchkin brand. Bananas frozen are great. If younger than 6 months, try pouring fresh breastmilk into an ice cube tray, half way up, and make "momsicles" for baby to suck on from a mesh feeder.
Teething symptoms usually pass after a few days. :hugs:
amazon_jane21
05-29-2011, 02:33 PM
Search "nursing strike" on kellymom.com. She has lots of info on how to deal and potential causes. GL!
Also, Hyland's were recalled voluntarily bc they found inconsistent dosing of Bella Donna, not bc they contained it. You would have had to give your child an entire bottle of tabs before you got close to dangerous doses. They have fixed the problem and will be re-releasing on the market soon. In the meantime, Little Teethers tabs have the same compound and work well.
MandeeTheGreat
05-29-2011, 02:39 PM
ooooh, careful with hylands and other teething relief tablets.... I'd stay away from those. Hylands was recalled because it contains an ingredient called "bella donna" which wasn't being regulated well by the company and children were showing up at Pedi offices and ERs with signs of Bella Donna toxicity and Poisoning.... Very scary.
The FDA doesn't regulate these "herbal remedies" so you must be cautious in using them. Read labels. Always, Always read labels before you give LO anything - even "safe" medications. Its very easy to overdoes, too.
I
They are not "herbal remedies." Hylands products are Homeopathic Remedies. There is a huge difference. Homeopathic medicines are 100% safe and do not cause reactions. They have been used for centuries and are many countries main source of medicine. Just wanted to clear that up. :)
Anyway...
you could try icing the gums before nursing. Sometimes this happens because nursing is more work and might hurt more and taking a bottle is easier to suck down. A great way to restablish breastfeeding after a strike is to get in the bath with the baby both of you naked and cuddle and try to nurse. The warm water and the calm usually helps them reconnect. You could try this after the icing of the gums. It will pass and things will get easier, just make sure that you are pumping if baby goes a long time without nursing..partly for supply reasons and partly for your comfort (engorgment) and to prevent a plugged duct or mastitis. Good luck mama, I am sorry its so frustrating right now :hugs:
colin-mylilguy
05-29-2011, 03:47 PM
Search "nursing strike" on kellymom.com. She has lots of info on how to deal and potential causes. GL!
Also, Hyland's were recalled voluntarily bc they found inconsistent dosing of Bella Donna, not bc they contained it. You would have had to give your child an entire bottle of tabs before you got close to dangerous doses. They have fixed the problem and will be re-releasing on the market soon. In the meantime, Little Teethers tabs have the same compound and work well.
Great advice on the "nursing strike" info on Kellymom.com! :thumbsup:
You are absolutely right that the FDA recalled (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm230764.htm) hyland's teething tabs, not because they contain bella donna but because it was not being regulated consistently. Doesn't that concern you? Hyland's also didn't have a child-tamper proof lid on the container, either. And while ingesting an entire bottle may not kill a baby, the lesser effects are not necessarily favorable either. See this link: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/531.html#Safety
Do we really want our infants having hallucinations? Even in small doses, bella donna effects the brain/nervous system. "Belladonna has chemicals that can block functions of the body's nervous system. Some of the bodily functions regulated by the nervous system include salivation, sweating, pupil size, urination, digestive functions, and others." I'm an RN and very aware of the immaturity of an infant's ability to regulate homeostasis. It is very dangerous to inhibit their ability to regulate sweating because this can lead to poor temperature regulation, over heating (especially as we come into the summer months) and the dangers of heat stroke, etc... Very Very Dangerous. It is also harmful to disrupt normal functions of the urinary system and digestive system... I'd be especially worried about a child under 4 months ingesting this drug, due to the higher risk of SIDS. There isn't research to show that it is safe or even effective. Why take the risk?
Also, the FDA does not regulate homeopathic products, which this is, so the fact that they did step in to intervene really says something. I'm not saying homeopathic remedies are "bad" - I use many myself. I am only saying be very cautious, especially when giving these unregulated substances to babies/children.
This is a direct quote from the FDA on the matter of the Hyland's teething tablets recall: "FDA notified consumers that Hyland’s Teething Tablets is being recalled because the tablets may pose a risk to children."
The FDA also says: "The FDA has not evaluated Hyland’s Teething Tablets for safety or efficacy, and is not aware of any proven clinical benefit offered by the product... [the] FDA recommends that consumers not use this product and dispose of any in their possession. FDA advises consumers to consult their health care professional if their child experiences symptoms such as seizures, difficulty breathing, lethargy, excessive sleepiness, muscle weakness, skin flushing, constipation, difficulty urinating, or agitation (these are all signs of bella donna toxicity - a known neurotoxin; think of your baby's rapidly developing brain) after using Hyland’s Teething Tablets."
With every drug, there are risks versus benefits. IMO, the risks far out-weigh the benefits when there are plenty of safe options for teething babies, such as cold wash cloth, chilled teethers, "momsicles" and chilled fruit. Motrin and Tylenol, when followed correctly are also helpful when other options aren't as effective. These drugs are regulated by the FDA and research has shown them to be both safe and effective.
I'm just saying be careful. Be careful and be educated. :goodvibes:
ETA: Nothing is 100% safe. That is a myth and a dangerous one because it makes people complacent and less cautious. I am not saying homeopathic in general is dangerous. I'm just saying be careful. Do your homework and make sure you are comfortable with the risks. Everything has risks. Everything.
rachelandtyke
05-29-2011, 03:56 PM
We actually use Humphrey's not Hyland's as Hyland's has lactose and Humphrey's doesn't (at least for tablets, the Hyland's gel is different). Ours was not recalled. I have done my research and am comfortable with my choice.
Truckerswife
05-29-2011, 05:22 PM
i have used the Humphrey's and the Hylands teething tablets they both work well and are safe when used as directed my mom has used the hylands on all 8 of her kids and never had a problem with them in my opinion baby orajel is more dangerous than any homeopathic teething remedy
