My Son Wants to Nurse but Wont. Help?

Updated on October 12, 2006
R.B. asks from San Antonio, TX
6 answers

hi, i have a 4 month old son, who i breast fed for the first 3 months straight. at which point i introduced bottles, while still breast feeding so i could leave him with my husband for more than an hour. he was doing great between the two, the playtex nurser, and the breast. i would breastfeed still about 6 times a day and at night, and he only had maybe 4 or so bottles during the day, but always prefered the breast. about 3 weeks ago i had to be away from him for all day saterday and then sunday again cuz of a family affiar. so he had bottles all both those 2 days. then on monday i tried to nurse him and he would eagerly latch right on, so i know he didnt forget how, or is refusing. but then right after he would latch on he would start to suck and about 4 sucks into it, he would gag. and then cough. and then turn his head back on to it and gag again. he did this about 6 times in a row on one feeding than he got mad and i finally just gave him a bottle. i kept up with it, and still tried to breastfeed him every feeding. but the same result would happen. so after 2 weeks of my poor son just gagging, and my milk starting to dry up. i quit. its now been a week since i tried, but i feel were both not ready to stop nursing, and he still turns and tries to suckle on things, thinking its me. ive talked to a lactation nurse and shes never heard of this heppening like this with the gaging. and i feel bad cuz he still wants to nurse. im not one for pumps, since the only ones i can get my hands on are manual, and i hate them, so now im losing my milk. has this happen to any of you? and is there anything i can do or medication i can take to get my milk back up? other than pumping, cuz that just doesnt work well for me. please help. i want to nurse my son.

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S.R.

answers from San Antonio on

My sister had problems with producing enough milk and she went to a nutrition store, like GNC and they have vitamins that can help with it. I know there are certain foods that help too, the only one I can think of off hand is oatmeal, because that is what I used. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water too, that is a huge one. I am not a fan of water, but I drank a ton while I was nursing and I could tell the difference when I didn't drink very much in a day. I hope that helps.

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S.B.

answers from San Antonio on

eat oatmeal and lots of it

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L.S.

answers from San Antonio on

My youngest daughter would do that when she was really hungry and she nursed until she was about 16 months. I would just let her take her time and try not to rush her. Sometimes baby are tuned in to how your feeeling. I need to take my daughter to school, fold the clothes, make dinnner, so on. Your son is feeling your stress. I have three little one and nursed all of them. To increase your milk supply I would try massage your breast or hot showers. You know all the things you shouldn't do. I actually like the manual breast pumps vs the other kind. As for not liking it I don't think their is a single one of us that like pumping but we must do want we have to do for our little one. Hope this helps. Another idead before offering the breast give him a little bottle so he's not starving and to eager. Don't give up. Hope this helps.
L.

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K.

answers from San Antonio on

perhaps your milk is letting down very fast and shooting into the back of his throat? (You can usually tell when its letting down because it often feels very tingly or like pins and needles). Try pumping to get through the initial letdown and then try nursing so the flow isn't quite so strong and fast. Maybe that's what was making him gag?

Also, if its not against your beliefs or tastes, drinking a beer often gives the milk production a boost and it won't affect your milk enough for you to have to worry about pumping and dumping after the beer (unless you really want to)

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M.M.

answers from San Antonio on

Hi. I breast feed M. son too for the first year and I hated the manual pump also. It was horrible, took waaaay too long and never seemed to get very much out. I rented an electric pump from the Lactation Center. It was a little over one hundred dollars the first time because of the deposit and all, but it was very worth while. M. son wanted to nurse all the time but I couldn't do it as often as he wished. With that pump I was able to give him the bottle all the time. I would recommend renting if you can't buy.

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P.

answers from San Antonio on

Hi R.. I would suggest contacting a La Leche League leader in your area. They are more than happy to help you with any nursing problems and they will do it at no charge. To find someone in your area, check out their website http://www.lalecheleague.org/

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