https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:50:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1863040 Mon, 15 Sep 2014 12:03:03 +0000 galore5 1863040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>At that age my guess would be that you have a strong letdown that is frustrating him. We had the same problem with my first. I would have to start feeding until letdown then pop him off and express milk into a spit-up rag until the flow slowed. He would get mad, but would latch back on and finish the feed. We outgrew it once my supply regulated. If he was older, I would wonder if the flow was actually too slow since it sounds like you also give bottles. Sometimes they get used to a faster flow nipple and then get frustrated when the milk isn't coming quickly enough at the beginning of the feed. Make sure you are using the slowest flow nipple available. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862947 Mon, 15 Sep 2014 11:11:40 +0000 Giulia1977 1862947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi! When my son acted like that was usually either he had to burp or my flow was too fast so i would try and burp him and handexpress a lit bit! Goid luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862332 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 20:17:28 +0000 Mrs. Milk 1862332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>this is a big part of what DS has been doing the past 4-5 days. not at every nursing, but frequently enough. i agree with previous posters, i have found he does it when he needs to burp (related to his reflux, i think- and mine is one zantac already) and/or is tired and actually just needs to sleep.</p> <p>i also used to always push his head back and still do sometimes. mostly though, pulling him off and burping him and calming him works. if that doesn't, leaning back with him falling on the nipple and then compressing my breast usually gets him to latch and stop. if it doesn't, then i really do just take him off and have DH distract/calm him for a minute (because i'm usually worked up by then too and need a minute!)</p> <p>i also think it's relate to growth spurt because he did this at 2 weeks when he went through one for about 4 days ,and i think we've been going through one for the last few days (and he has been doing this more as well!)</p> <p>i hadn't thought of tongue tie, but now of course i'm concerned. being a first time mom to a newborn is full of second-guessing, lol! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862321 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 20:00:33 +0000 regberadaisy 1862321@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO 2 screams at the boob when she's over tired and particularly during her witching hour. Also when she needs to burp.</p> <p>If he's not typically a screamer I wouldn't think tongue tie, reflux or dietary reasons. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862312 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 19:50:34 +0000 skipra 1862312@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My lo used to do this and I believe it was food intolerances. He would pull of, scream, and arch but was still hungry. Within 3 weeks of cutting dairy, soy, and wheat from my diet he stopped except for when he has to burp - but after he gets it out he happily continues to eat whereas before he would just refuse to eat more. The doctor thought it was reflux but the only changes I've made are in my diet so I think otherwise. How are his poops? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862306 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 19:45:03 +0000 artsyfartsy 1862306@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>T did this during growth spurts/cluster feeding. Also when he had to burp! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862184 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 17:51:21 +0000 immabeetoo 1862184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chibee: another thought is if you're switching to bottle right away he might be getting too much fore milk if he's only nursing for a few minutes each time? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862180 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 17:47:13 +0000 immabeetoo 1862180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chibee: might just be "babies being babies". I know my son did this and we ebf and he grew out of it. I wouldn't stress too much honestly! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862146 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 16:42:49 +0000 gilmoregirl 1862146@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO would act like this if my milk was coming too fast for him. Then once he got used to the fast letdown, he would scream if it was too slow. When it's too slow, I can usually burp him and swith sides to fix. For the too fast, I used positioning tips from the Kellymom article on overs give letdown. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862133 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 16:21:31 +0000 chibee 1862133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinpye: actually the lactation consultant I saw while he was in nicu thought he might have a slight tongue tie but after examining him she thought he had good movement but asked me to check with his ped. Of course I was obsessed with this so I asked both drs at his peds office and they both said he was fine. Should I still seek a specialist? </p> <p>Of course after I posted this he's doing just fine again with nursing. He drives me crazy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862104 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 15:13:40 +0000 jedeve 1862104@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO does this. Half the time it's a burp. He really holds on tight to them. </p> <p>The rest of the time, he is just done. DONE done. I give him a paci and he conks out. He is a little odd - strong suck reflex, but he is not a comfort nurser. I don't know if it's because he has torticollis, and nursing can be uncomfortable for him or if he just wants to suck but is full. My first definitely didn't scream at the end of his feedings. But this one does. But he is doing fine! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862093 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 15:04:18 +0000 tororojo 1862093@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly, I think that can be pretty normal- sometimes breastfeeding just sucks and you go through crappy phases. I would just try to push through it and take a break when you're borth super upset even though I know it's really hard, especially in the early days. Sometimes reading about fussiness on kellymom helped me calm down a little. For the record, LO was a champion eater- 9 lb 5 oz at birth, back to birth weight 4 days in, no feeding or supply issues or reflux but still she would pull off angrily like that in phases and I remember how frustrating that can be. Just wanted to say that b/c sometimes there's no good solution other than time. And it definitely helps grow and maintain your supply when you push through it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862070 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:36:47 +0000 T.H.O.U. 1862070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would first think a burp. </p> <p>Second thought would be that he's frustrated the milk is either coming too fast or too slow. If you've introduced a bottle he could be used to not having to work hard and be frustrated it doesn't flow like a bottle. </p> <p>My guess it's probably more one of those two things before looking like a lip/tongue tie or reflux. If it was reflux it wouldn't just be when he's nursing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862064 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:26:03 +0000 erinpye 1862064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chibee: my first baby arched like that and hated nursing, starting around 4/5 weeks. She had a posterior tongue tie and upper lip tie. I can't type it all out right now, but you can search tongue tie on here if you're curious. Long story short: LO was dx with reflux, put on meds, still screamed, I had her assessed for tongue tie, was told she was fine, took her to a specialist, she was in fact tied, had her ties corrected with laser at 6 months old, and she was instantly a different baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862060 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:23:31 +0000 gotkimchi 1862060@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Kellymom says common growth spurts are 3,6,12 weeks so could be that! My lo would eat,scream switch sides repeat for hours. My butt hurt from sitting on the couch! But that's how they tell your body to make more! Keep nursing as much as possible! You're doing a good job! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862059 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:20:37 +0000 chibee 1862059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: he is 3 1/2 weeks old - he was doing fine until this week! he does arch his back and goes kind of stiff with a wide mouth scream - and only does it a little bit when i switch him to the bottle whether it contains pumped milk or formula (gerber gentle)</p> <p>@gotkimchi: i have no idea - is 3 weeks too early for a growth spurt?? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862057 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:16:10 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 1862057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO does this for two reasons - either the boob is empty or she just wants to be put down in her crib. I hope you find an answer soon </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862055 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:11:15 +0000 Little Misters Mom 1862055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son does this sometimes, most often at bedtime. I find that pushing his head back just makes it worse, so I let him latch off and try to calm him and keep the nipple visible to allow him to relatch when he is ready. If he won't calm down or just won't eat I try changing locations which tends to work for whatever reason. I think he is maybe frustrated by over active letdown or the time delay so going to a new room distracts him for the few seconds it takes for te milk to regulate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862054 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:08:04 +0000 gotkimchi 1862054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How old? Any chance it's a growth spurt and he's trying to increase your supply? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862049 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:04:06 +0000 SleepyMonkey 1862049@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>hmm. sometimes when that used to happen to my LO, she had a burp. doesn't sound like it is that simple in your situation though. there was one week where she'd do that and it was totally random and unexplain-able though. then it stopped. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862048 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:03:58 +0000 spaniellove 1862048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That is so stressful! I'm sorry you're going through this. :sad: </p> <p>How old is he? And does his reaction change at all when you switch him to pumped milk or formula? Which formula are you using? Does he arch his back at all?</p> <p>ETA: Sorry for all the questions and no answers! J was 3 weeks when this happened to him, though he was bottle fed from the beginning. Before that we had almost never heard him cry so it was a shock. Our dr had us switch to a different formula first and we tried a few but ended up using Zantac. I've posted about it and it usually doesn't take as long to resolve as in our situation but the only crying he does during feeds now is to demand more food, faster! So you will find a way to resolve this though it's tough in the moment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/help-why-is-he-screaming#post-1862042 Sun, 14 Sep 2014 14:00:29 +0000 chibee 1862042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are BF and supplementing but every once in a while, he will pull off at the boob and start screaming bloody murder, latch back on if i push his head towards it, suck for a min then pop off and scream and cry again! After a couple minutes of this, we both get stressed so we go to the bottle - either pumped milk or formula. I actually went to the dr about this and she said it could be his reflux, and if it persists she will consider zantac for him - but he stopped and was doing fine until today, at his last feeding - he was screaming! He is not a screaming kind of baby either, he hardly cries like that, if ever, its like my milk is causing him pain, it's really hard to see him cry like that. Has this happened to anyone? should have the dr put him on zantac to see if it helps? </p>