Ok, so I've been trying to keep up with breastfeeding my baby boy. I wasn't able to breastfeed my first and don't want to give up on this one. He stayed in the nursery for three days after I was released home and never latched on to my breast. I have tried the nipple shields and still he will only latch on for a few minutes. If I try without the nipple shield he gets frustrated and starts to kick and push me away. Does anyone know of any tips....
Hello! I am a breastfeeding Mommy 3x. My second had trouble latching on so the lactation recommended the nipple shield, I would use the nipple shield and while latching on my daughter the lactation consultant used a syringe with formula and squeezed the formula into the nipple shield and my daughter latched on after a couple of times and eventually I was able to breastfeed. Hope this helps!
It may be that your breasts are too full. When you try to nurse him. Have you tried pumping first? Another issue could be poor latch on his part. Make sure you present your nipple to the top lip to force him to open up wide and get a good latch so perhaps he won't slip off. Another common issue is a lazy or overly relaxed nurser. Does he drift off or get really relaxed while nursing? Sometimes they need to be nudged, rubbed, tickled, undressed so they are cooler, etc. This helps keep them on task! If you are bottle feeding, try not giving a bottle for a couple of days. Many times they prefer the bottle over the nipple due to the immediate gratification. If you must bottle feed, make sure you have a slow flow nipple, the slowest flow you can find that makes them work at getting the milk out! But the best option is to take away the bottle until breastfeeding is worked out.
Good for you. I have been told, as I was learning about breastfeeding, that mothers who bottle-feed try over and over and over again to get their baby to drink from the bottle. You shouldn't try any less many times!
The other thing to think about is, remembering that every baby responds differently, trying different positions might help a good deal. It is much too hard to describe this sort of thing in an email or post like this.
You could contact a local lactation consultant (I'm sure Corpus Christi has one or more). I have had wonderful advice and practical guidelines for me about breastfeeding my three boys (now ages 15, 10, and 8).
Good luck!
My first was in the NICU for 8 days and I couldn't breast feed right away. But he seemed to latch on after practicing. My second child couldn't latch on at all. She'd get so frustrated trying every single time I tried for about 2-3 months... no joke. But I stayed persistent and kept at it and FINALLY she caught on. I ended up nursing her for 2 years. I'm not sure if that is helpful but I never tried any shields or supplemental milk... A lactation consultant might be helpful. Good luck to you and congratulations on breastfeeding!
I tried the nipple shields with my first child, at the urging of the hospital's lactation consultant, but my daughter and I found it so much easier once we abandoned them. Also, if your little one is frustrated, try dissolving a little sugar in water, and putting a drop of that on your nipple. Repeat as necessary throughout the session, until he gets into the habit of nursing.
Insist that he get a good latch on a bottle, too. He doesn't technically need a good latch, but he'll get into a better sucking habit.
It is much easier to drink from a bottle than the breast. Make sure you are using the lowest-flow nipples when you bottle-feed.
I was frustrated to the point of tears several times with my first child. I'm now 8 months into nursing my second. Hang in there, mom - you'll be okay!
Definitely consult a lactation consultant or your local la leche league. They will be able to see exactly what's happening while you are trying to feed and offer suggestions based on what they see. I know it's hard but try to stick with it. I had to pump for 12 weeks solid until I taught my 32 week preemie to nurse after he came home from the hospital.
I would contact Cheryl at Special Addition. She is a LC and can watch and give you good advice.
I had a lot of trouble with breastfeeding my first son. His latch was bad (my nipples were so sore!) for about a month, I'd say. I also had trouble with overfull breasts and I think that only made him come off because the milk was too fast. It was a VERY frustrating 3 months. Hardest thing I've ever done in my life. Thankfully, things got better around the end of his 3rd month. After that it was smooth sailing and so easy for us. I was so grateful. I ended up nursing for 14 months. I would definitely recommend seeing a lactation consultant. I wish I had seen one when I was having trouble. The website kellymom.com was also very helpful to me to show me latch positions, etc. I encourage you to keep at it if you really want to do it. But get some help from a lactation consultant (then at least you know you explored all your options). I was able to see one with my second son, and things went soooo much better. Best wishes to you.
Contact your local La Leche League for some nursing support. Don't give up!
Try using a breast pump for a few minutes..to get the milk flowing and your nipple out. Then immediately try to latch on.
My baby #4 refused to latch..even after TWELVE lactation consultations and a nipple shield. I tried this and it worked.
Hang in there!
Others have given great advise on consulting a lactation consultant, shields, pump a little before feeding...
I just wanted to let you know that if you have to go to pumping don't let that be discouraging. I pumped for my son from the time he was 6 weeks until he was 1 year old. It was very taxing but well worth it in the end.
Good luck!
Great advice on the slow flow nipples. Definitely contact the maternity ward and/or a lactation consultant at the hospital. Our hospital also offered a weekly drop-in group led by a lactation group where moms could get help and weigh their baby on the hospital scale. The woman I bought my Medela breast pump from was a lactation consultant as well.
La Leche League should also be of great help. Contrary to popular belief, I never found that they had a culture which tried to force a mom to breastfeed longer than she wanted.
Don't beat yourself up, though, if you have to abandon your goal after working with a lactation specialist. You'll know in your heart that you tried everything possible. Just think--you could always go for baby #3! Best wishes!
I agree with Denise P.
Also, try maple syrup on your nipple to help him gravitate to your nipple. Just a thought
A.,
I can't advise you specifically on your breastfeeding dilemma but wanted to remind you that feeding your baby is the most important thing here, NOT how you do it. It's not a crime if you need to pump/supplement and/or use formula. Don't let the idea of breastfeeding torment you. Do whatever you have to do. I would consult the hospital where you delivered and see a lactation consultant.
Sounds like nibble confusion. Have you been giving bottles? If so THERE is your problem. My youngest was in the NICU for one week and NEVER had anything but a bottle. He came home and it took about 36 hours before he would latch. I NEVER gave a bottle during that time.
IF your son has nipple confusion, you HAVE TO STOP BOTTLES and do breast ONLY. If not then you will probably be pumping and giving breastmilk in a bottle or giving formula.
STOP ALL BOTTLES AND PUT HIM TO THE BREAST EVERY 2 HOURS.
