Some babies do not sit still during breastfeeding. They either cry, fuss or simply pull away from their mother. It is actually common enough to see such type of behavior, particularly during the first 2-3 months of birth. Mothers usually worry about that situation and they may even think that something is terribly wrong. However, there are actually many reasons that justify why a baby keeps pulling away while breastfeeding.
If a baby has a hard time trying to burp, it is only natural that it starts to cry and tries to pull off its mother’s breast. Particularly during the first weeks of breastfeeding, a baby needs to burp more often, since it cannot take in the necessary amount of air all by itself. Once the baby starts to move more freely, it will be able to burp more easily and the whole feeding procedure will become easier.
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Growth spurts
During the first year after birth babies go through a couple of growth spurts. That makes them more active and fussier than usual. During such a situation, babies increase the intake of milk and feel agitated. For this reason, they can pull away from their mother’s breast without even realizing it.
Let-down procedure
Quick or slow milk let-down can result in an agitated baby that tries to pull off the breast. If a mother has a forceful let-down, for example, the baby may become frustrated. A quick let-down can also, result in excessive spitting and even vomiting. A slow let-down, on the other hand, can make a baby impatient and this can have a similar reaction when it comes to breastfeeding.
Milk flow
It is true that when a baby pulls away from the mother’s breast just for a moment, some additional let-down will occur, even if we talk about a few drops of milk. That alone, makes the baby realize the importance of pulling away during breastfeeding and going back to work after a second or two. Another important fact concerning the whole process is the fact that when a baby pulls away for a moment, the milk flow will increase a bit when he continues to nurse afterward.
The baby has had enough milk
A sudden effort to pull away during the process of breastfeeding may signify that the baby has had enough for now. The baby may even be in the process of changing its eating habits and wishes to inform you of the fact immediately. As the baby grows older, it will be easier for him to milk the breast more quickly and get done with the whole process sooner than before.
If you see that your baby keeps pulling away while breastfeeding, you can rest assured that nothing so worrying happens. Most babies have an identical behavior concerning breastfeeding once in a while and there are many reasons that justify this situation. Mothers just need to be patient, calm and ready to cope with any kind of change they may observe. After all, every baby has its own special preferences that distinguish it from other newborns.