Need Help Breastfeeding

Dear M.,
How difficult this must be for you! There is no mention of where you live, but if you are close enough to attend a breastfeeding clinic (generally provided free of charge) it would be helpful to seek the advice of an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.)Riverside Community hospital has a clinic open to any who need services - free of charge - on Monday mornings 9 - noon every week but holidays. You can call the Director of Education at the hospital, Vivian Henderson, at ###-###-#### for directions and more information. There may be services available at other sites closer to you. This is NOT as hard as it seems if you get good information. Good luck!

G. Andrews, IBCLC

I want to encourage you to keep going on breastfeeding your baby.
I am training in lactation education and can give you some help.

J.
###-###-####

For starters:

1) Notice the baby's hunger cues -- just awakened, and just searching for milk with his mouth or sucking his fingers, but long before he cries.
2) Rest the baby on your chest between your breasts
(bare chest) Let the baby have skin to skin contact with you.
As the baby nuzzles for milk, guide him slowly to your breast.

Bottle feeding is easier, breastfeeding is harder, but so much better in a thousand ways.

I'd be happy to talk to you on the phone or come in person.

J.

M.,

Yes, there is hope but the first thing you need to do is get your milk supply up. You need to start double pumping every 2-3 hours around the clock with a hospital grade pump and pump for 20-30 minutes. You basically need to mimic what a baby does naturally to get yourself producing milk. With a super low milk supply there is no incentive for your baby to nurse. I would really recommend that you join this yahoo group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/PumpMoms/ because you are likely going to be doing a lot of pumping. Pumping is much easier to do if you have some sort of a hands free system for doing it. I have one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/HANDS-FREE-Pumping-Bra-Bustier-Easy-E...

and one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/HANDS-FREE-Pumping-Bra-HALTER-Easy-Ex...

the only real difference is that the bustier has a zipper where the halter you have to pull over your head. Both are super easy to use and reasonably priced.

here is a cheap to no-cost hands free pumping method:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/hands-free-pumping.html

It isn't fabulous but it works.

I would recommend that you spend some time browsing www.kellymom.com and look at articles like
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/pumping_decrease.html
and
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/low-supply.html

there is tons of good info on this site about breastfeeding and increasing your milk supply.

So the basic answer is that it isn't too late, you can get your supply back and you can still breastfeed but it will take a little work to pull it off. The longer you wait and the lower your supply gets, the harder it is going to be.

Good luck!
T.

I just wanted to make sure you had the link to the le lache league website you can search for a leader in your area.
http://www.llli.org/

M., try pumping with your baby at the breast. It is awkward at first, but the baby on one breast will stimulate a stronger letdown on the pumping side and you will get more milk pumped in less time. It sounds like you need to declare a breastfeeding emergency. Get in bed with your baby and stay there all weekend and do nothing but nurse. Also check out
http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/index.asp for some great advice. Join the forum and talk to Cheryl. She is an internationally board certified lacatation consultant, and she's been doing this for years. She helped me so much when I was nursing my twins. Good luck!

I would definatlly go to a lactation clinic, or your pediatrician. Get their advice. Don't give up, get help!

I had trouble too and had to pump and use bottles the first month with my lil one (she's 5.5 months, still nursing and does bottles too). try going to a healthfood (henry's, whole foods) store and pick up fenugreek capsules it helps with milk supply (i went to 2 lactation consultants who recommended fenugreek and i still take them). also try mothers milk tea. keep pumping - uugh i still do!! my milk supply really dwindled at first but came back. another trick they had me do was to pump an additional 10 minutes after you aren't getting any milk - law of supply and demand - your body thinks you need more milk so produces more.

good luck! I know it's tough physically and emotionally. get support from peeps who love you and support your desire to nurse but also know sometimes it's impossible and your baby will still thrive and you're still a great mom.

It is common to have trouble breastfeeding. It can be painful, and it may take work, but it is worth it. Contact La Leche League, and tell them it is urgent that they find a Lactation consultant that will help you. They are not hard to find. The longer you wait the harder it will be, don't give up, just go to the right source, and that would be through La Leche.

When you offer a newborn a bottle instead of the breast they can get nipple confusion. Think of it like this. It is much harder for a baby to suck the milk out of your breast. When using a bottle the milk will pour out much easier into the babies mouth. Babies are lazy and they want to eat the easiest route if given a choice, breast or bottle. This is why most lactation consultants encourage mothers not to introduce a bottle to your baby for at least 5-6 weeks after breast feeding is established. Do not give up. Always offer the breast first and then if you are worried that your baby did not get enough top off with a bottle. The amount of wet or soiled diapers is the best indicator if your baby is eating enough. The baby should have at least 6-8 wet or soiled diapers per day. As for pumping the amount of milk that you see is not always the amount that you have or the amount the baby is getting to eat. A baby is much more efficient at emptying the breast thant a breast pump will ever be. Just remember that your breasts work like this. It is supply and demand. If you do not stimulate your breast by breast feeding or pumping you will not make any milk. Continue to pump every 2 hours and save that milk to give to your baby when toping off with the bottle. If you are still having problems contact your local La Leche League or if you have insurance contact your Lactation Consultant and make an appointment.

Yes! There is hope! I wasn't able to breastfeed my first baby until about 3.5 wks. I pumped and then bottled feed. Once we were able to breastfeed, she refused a bottle and I ended up breastfeeding her until she was 16 months old.

Everyone is different, but here is what I did:

Each time it was feeding time, I would try to get her to latch on. We both would get frustrated and it didn't help that my nippled were SO SORE! I would give up and offer her the bottle. I think because I always offered her my breast she was used to taking it and it wasn't foreign to her. Anyway... One day I decided to wait a little longer to feed her, I didn't make a bottle, and I went into a different room than where we would normally be for feeding time. I just kept offering her my breast and she finally took it.

Now, I know this isn't a special technique I am sharing with you but more of encouragement. It can happen - just keep trying. Try to breastfeed each time and provide a bottle after to make sure she is staying hydrated.

If you are having pain like I did (I had pain with my second baby too - she is now 5.5 mos. I think it was more painful with the second too.), here is what several moms told me: If you can just get through the pain you will be glad you did. It won't last forever even though it may seem so now. Also, my OB and the hospital told me to take Motrin during the time I was in pain. I typically don't like to take any type of drug at all, but that was the only way I was going to be able to get through the pain and continue to breastfeed. I took it for the first 3-4 weeks and then quit once I could tolerate the pain on my own.

I also talked to a La Leche League representative who helped as well. Most of the people I talked to gave me encouragement more than actual advice on getting my baby to latch on. But it really helped knowing I wasn't the only one having problems and that IT CAN HAPPEN!

Keep trying!! Good luck!

Contact La Leche League. They will help you. Good luck!

My daughter was in the NICU for 2 weeks when she was born so she was given bottles of my pumped breast milk when i wasnt there. She was very comfortable with the bottle and a horrible breastfeeder when she came home. I was afraid she wouldnt take the breast but you just have to work at it. i was sort of lazy sometimes and when she would have trouble i would just whip out her bottle and give up. but you have to stick to it, make sure you are in a quiet place, relax. Also, for both of my children, i ended up using a nipple shield to nurse. its a thin, clear, rubber nipple that sits over your own to help the baby get a good latch. my babies had such hard times latching on and keeping the latch (milk everywhere!!!). the lactation nurse gave me that shield but you can buy them at most baby stores. That little thing saved my life! now baby nurses like a champ and still takes a bottle also. dont give up--breast milk is the best! just keep pumping in the meantime. good luck

Dear M.,
The good news is, there is a lot of help out there if you need it! Your hospital, the LeLeche League, ect... Every woman needs to find her own way with her own child. Because of medical complications, I was not able to breast feed my daughter immediately after birth. She was bottle fed by the nurses instead. I am not laying blame but as a result, my daughter perfered the bottle after that because it was so much easier for her. I struggled with breast feeding and finally ended up pumping breast milk and bottle feeding it to my daughter for 6 months. After that, I weaned her on to formula. The pumping was tedious and difficult and I struggled with feelings of guilt and rejection. I wish someone had just come along and given me a hug and let me know that it was OK to give formula. If the road to breast feeding is too difficult for you, remember that your child will thrive, yes thrive, on formula and you will still be his mom no matter what. He will still be looking into your eyes with love whether from your breast or from the bottle in your warm hand. So, don't pressure yourself unnecessairly, find your way with your son and God Bless you both!

you may want to check with the hospital where you gave birth.. many hositals offer free lactation classes. good luck.

Healthy beginings ###-###-####
24 hr breastfeeding hotline 1-888-451-2499

Healthy beginings is in Palm Springs and you need to make an appointment and it's free. The breastfeeding specialist works with you and your baby hands on until they teach you and him how to latch on. They helped me with my son I highly recommend you make an appointment
Good Luck
God Bless

T. H

M.,

I was in the same situation as you when I had my son and he was about 2 weeks old. I couldn't get him to latch on and was so frustrated and ended up giving him bottles of formula. That ended up causing my milk supply to decrease. You need to offer the breast as often as possible. In order for b/f to work for me with my son I had to nurse him almost every 30 minutes and try and get him to latch on in order to get my milk supply up. After about a week of doing this breastfeeding was very sucessful and I nursed my son until he was 13 months. The problem I had was I wasn't putting enough of my nipple into his mouth too latch on. M. there is hope and it can be exhausting, but breastfeeding is wonderful once you have everything figured out. Good luck!

I forgot to mention no formula. The more formula you feed the less milk you produce.

L.

Call or go to either Bright Beginnings in Redondo Beach or Beach Cities Health District. Both have breastfeeding support groups and great lactation consultants who will help you with this problem.

M.,

There is a great Breastfeeding support group that meets every Tuesday at 2pm at the Scripps Well Being center near the UTC mall. It is a great group of mom's that are probably having similar issues and plenty of mom's that can offer advice on what they did to solve those issues. I met a lot of great mom's who I still keep in touch with today (son is 9 months old). You can get more information at:
http://www.scripps.org/Locations.asp?ID=148

There is a lactation consultant/modurator that manages the discussion and offers advice but they encourage the mom's in the group to offer suggestions as well. It is a comfortable environment to share issues and get help with latch issues while you are there. Let me know if I can help with more information.

J. S.

yes...I had similar problems. Try to get one feeding off the boob the first day and then 2 the second, then three etc. Try not to think too much about the amount you pump - I still to this day have never pumped more than 4 oz and I have a 1 year old. If in the end if it doesn't happen - try not to be too distressed. And if you have to give supplement throughout - you and your baby will be okay. I was so freaked out about the whole thing in the beginning and it caused some postpartum issues. Hang in there - you will get through this.

just keep giving him the boob squeeze some milk into his lips and move nipple around his mouth. Keep doing it about a minute then change sides do a minute then change positions(legs on side behind you with him more upright like when giving bottle. Maybe even try using the nipple of bottle, while nursing ready, without the bottle then switch him to boob. The stimulation from the baby increases the milk much more than the pumping. Try just nursing one day without pumping so there is more milk in you. My son and I had the same dilemma when I had to give him the bottle in the hospital because of jaundice. I still supplemented with formula the first two weeks at home but always after nursing first because he did not get enough. Then I kept nursing like I said above and did not give him the bottle anymore and fed more often. It took two weeks for my milk to come in strong and develop an easier on me feeding schedule. Now at six weeks we are happy as can be without the bottles. It might have been the thought of how much we'd have to pay for formula(a second rate sub) that kept me going despite the many frustrations and sometimes pain. You can do it.

Hi M., find a lactation consultant as soon as possible. They can work with you and your baby. Babies are not born knowing how to latch on, they need to be taught, just as us mom's need to learn how to have them latch on. My son has a receding chin and a short lingual frenulum and it was difficult for him to latch on. The consultant was amazing and supportive and a Godsend. Mine was through Kaiser Baldwin Park, but there are many out there. My son also was bottle fed from the beginning because of losing too much weight after he was born. We needed to supplement with formula for a little while. He had no problem going from breast to bottle. I mostly breastfed and he only got the bottle when someone else was watching him. Pumping did nothing for me, I would barely get 1-2 oz. Don't give up, it will be worth it. Good luck! ;-)

I had a similar problem with my son. He had many feeding problems at birth and would only take the bottle. After numerous consultation with various lactation consultants - he was still having problems. I even had to supplement feedings with formula because my milk was low. They had me use a syringe of milk up to my nipple and try to get him to stay latched on that way. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. But after several weeks of persistence, and constant pumping, he started latching on consistently and my milk supply increased. By 9 weeks it started going really smooth. He is now almost 6 months and has been exclusively breastfeeding ever since. There is hope! Good luck.

So far we are all on the same page...Contact help! Get in touch with a specialist at the hospital you gave birth at, or your babies DR. might also have a contact, or perhaps your obgyn. Anyway, DO NOT GIVE UP! Keep trying and let us know how it goes. Good luck!!

I experienced the exact same problem with my son now 13 months old.

From the very beginning I breastfed in the hospital and my milk came in right away. A pacifier was introduced to my son in the hospital from my daughter without my approval. Thereafter, his latch was not strong and my milk was not packed with calories for son to re-gain his birth weight. Per doctor's request, we placed him on formula. I was determined to breastfeed, so I was doing a combination of breastmilk and formula. Baby was still not gaining steady weight at about 3 weeks. Fourth week, feed him formula only, but I still felt a yearning desire to breastfeed my baby. Week 5 - baby visit to doctor he gained weight significantly, at that point I decided to re-introduce breastfeeding again. Since baby got used to the bottle nipple it was a little difficult for him to latch and suckle correctly, as it takes more work from baby to breastfeed. I never gave up and he finally took it. I never worried too much about how much milk I was able to pump or not. When your baby suckles and latches on correctly they will extract as much milk as needed (my milk was not full of calories). As long as you continue to combo feed your milk supply will adjust on it's own. When I returned to work 5 months after I was still able to pump approx 4-6 oz per session.

Please don't give up on breastfeeding, it's the best experience for you and your baby.

For soreness, use Lanohlin ointment to sooth sore and cracked nipples.

I hope this encourages you not to give up and best of luck!

You can get a nipple shield. It looks a lot likt the nipple on a bottle but you place it over your nipple and and as you feed your son, get the milk flowing and offer the breast . Keep going back and forth. Just keep giving the breast because the sucking on the nipple shild will get the milk flowing. babies have to work a little harder to start breast milk flowing, and they don't want to work so hrd. Just be patient and if he's hungry enough he'll go for it. Good luck and many blessings.

There is a wonderful free clinic at San Antonio Hos. I've seen the nurses there help tons of people. My son didn't latch on for the first month! But he was a preemie, and finally gave in. If this clinic is not near you I would try another. Some time the solution is very simple. As far as milk supply. Most infants take around 4oz. So it sounds like you have plenty of milk. Especially since you pump less, than you would nursing.
Good Luck! J.

Hi M.,
There is hope, my son was not solely breastfed until about two months after his birth. I use a nipple shield, which seemed to ease his transition from the bottle to my breast. My pumping didn't go so good at the beginning and it is not quite there yet. But somehow we've managed, even after I went to work. I take "milk plus" tea from Henry's. So just keep trying and your milk supply will come in. You can also call your hospital and make an appointment with the lactation consultant.
good luck and don't give up. my sonn is now six months he is solely eats breast milk.
Hope i helped,
ceci

As long as your baby is eating that's what's most important, and at the age og 39, to breast feed now, you would probably loose a lot of your breast mass, thats what happened to a friend of mine, but she was only 29 but due to much breast feeding her breast hung down he waist. Also it is easier to wing a child off the bottl than the breast, the bottle you can thriow away the breast is always there. I have seen children, ages 1-3 in public trying to get into their mothers shirt, got to tell you not a pretty sight. All 3 of my kids were bottled fed all grew up healthy and happy. J. L

You may want to talk to a lactation consultant. Eve at Milkmade at Home is supposed to be great. (I took her childbirth prep classes) She also offers a free breastfeeding support group every MWF 11am-12pm where you can go and talk with consultants and other moms about what you're going through. Here's their website: www.breastpumpsandiego.com.

Try going to a breastfeeding support group. They have free meetings at Sharp Grossmont and Mary Birch. The ones at Mary Birch are Mondays and Fridays at 10:30 AM.

Good luck.

Not sure where you are located but there is a WONDERFUL lactaction consultant in the Torrance and Long Beach area. She helped me SOOOOO much. Her name is Susan Orr. Her contact information is:
Breastfeeding Clinic at Columbia Pediatrics
2840 Long Beach Blvd. #425
Long Beach, CA 90806
(Tuesday and Thursday at 9am)
Susan Orr, PT, CLC, IBCLC
3757 Falcon Ave.
Long Beach, CA 90807
Tel: ###-###-####
Email: ____@____.com

I cannot say enough about how helpful she is. Good luck and don't give up. I wanted to give up and I can say that I was so glad that I didn't. It gets easier!

I was forced to give my the daughter the bottle at first, not by choice. But you can still breast feed. Trying using the nipple shield by Medela. The baby might just be used to the texture of a bottle nipple and this nipple shield will give him that texture he needs. But first start off by offering your breast without the nipple. For milk production try, Mothers milk tea, you can find it at Henry's market. I also recomend you see a lactation consultant. They are marvelous...if it was for them I would have stop breastfeeding really early on. Try La Leche league, the can help you a lot as well. Stick with it...it's not easy but worth it for you and your baby. i will keep you in my prayers.

see if you can get a nipple shield. that will help your brest feel more like a bottle. then you can try to feed him without it. take your time and dont get dissouraged if you dont breast feed him because pumping your milk is still great!

You need a lactation consultant, fast. The hospital you delivered at should have a clinic, try there first.

If they don't have one, find the closest La Leche League and get someone who can help. Another resource is The Pump Station in Santa Monica (http://www.pumpstation.com/pumpstation/). If you call them they can probably recommend someone in your area.

Good luck hon and hang in there! You're doing the right thing, and you're doing the best that you can. Be proud of yourself, whatever the outcome.

P.S. I had a girlfriend whose daughter was in NICU for a month, and never did take the breast. Luckily she was able to continue pumping, and was able to "breast feed" her daughter. It's not ideal, but it's doable.

Contact La Leche League because they will send someone to your home if you need it. I think that would be more comfortable than trying to feed in a surrounding you're not used to.

Hey M.
When your pumping try having the baby next to you. Your body has a bond with him so if your able to see and feel him, it will help the breast "let down" easier with milk. And hang in there it's only been 3 weeks, your milk might still be coming in fully.
Hope this helps
C.

Hi M.,
I had a similar problem. Fenugreek (as recommended by others) is a good herbal supplement. Tell your pediatrician because he/she can prescribe an over the counter medication that can also boost your milk supply. I forget the name, but I believe it was originally intended for asthma patients.

Our lactation consultant recommended the BreastFlow bottles because it requires the same sucking motion as used on the breast. Works for me because the baby does not have any confusion switching from breast to bottle.

Hope this helps and hang in there!

M.,

There is hope for you. Your baby is just used to a bottle but you can get him back to breast. First off, don't let what you pump be an indicator of what you are making. Babies are the best indicator and can get more than a pump (for most people). I breastfed both and could never get more than one oz when I tried to pump. www.kellymom.com and www.askdrsears.com are two places you can go online for help on getting your baby to breastfeed. However, if possible, can you visit a Lactation specialist?

I'm sure you'll get some great recommendations here. You can do it!
Congrats on your new baby!
M.

M.,

Hang in there. There is definitely hope to get you and your baby breastfeeding. My first child did not latch on until she was 11 weeks old. In the meantime, I pumped and bottle fed all that time. My second child didn't figure it out until 5 weeks old, so we bottle fed until she learned to latch on. If you can find a good lactation specialist, that would help. You need to keep up your milk supply - that's a big key. As you build up your milk supply and your baby gets stronger, then it won't be as much work for them to get milk from you. The bonding experience is something you don't want to miss, so keep at it. It'll be worth it.

Yes, there is hope for your baby. I am not an expert, but will tell who is... get ahold of your local La Leche League! Go online and look up La Leche League, and on the web site it should tell you where you can go locally for a meeting, get real live help for your personal situation - don't give up - nursing your baby is not only good for his body and brain, it's good for his heart too.... and yours!

Yes, you can get your child used to your nipple and increase your milk supply. Call your hosptial and ask about their Mommy & Me/lactation program. Apple Valley has an excellent program, you just need someone to sit with you for a min and you'll be fine. I'd try to help via email, but a lot is visual. Look in your phone book for La Leche Legue if your hospital doesn't offer anything.
EAT and DRINK a lot, nurse/offer to nurse frequently, try to get your baby off the nipple guard, if the hospital gave them one, offer both sides, offer a variety of positions, don't feel bad opening their mouth by touching their jaw and putting your nipple inside, they may cry while getting used to it, but be persistant...
Good luck, keep it up, you can do it!

My #1 bit of advice would be, don't give up...eventually everybody learns, but don't give up if you really want to nurse. Just practice/try a few times every day...if twice a day is too much, try once a day, but don't stop trying. I've "taught" 2 preemies to nurse by using this system. It took my daughter, now 8 mo.s old, 8 weeks of daily practicing to learn but we finally got it. Seek help, support groups, lactation consultants, women who have successfully nursed, etc. Good luck!

Contact a lactation consultant in your area. Try going on www.breastfeeding.com and see if you can find someone in your area -- Or call the hospital where you had your baby and see if they can give you some numbers. It's not too late and there is still hope. These lactation consultants specialize in this. Good Luck I really hope it works out for you!

M., I am so happy that i checked todays "postings". I have a 5 1/2 month baby & we breastfeed too. I would strongly suggest contacting a lactation consultant, asap. If you get this message before Thursday morning then you should know that there is a lactation consultant group that meets on Thursdays, from 9:30-11:00am. It's in the ARU Dining Room in the Pavilllion (the big building next to Henry Mayo hospital) The phone number is ###-###-####. I don't know if you're in santa Clarita but if so, the lactation consultants will help you, they are great! It does cost $10 but it's well worth it. I went weekly for a few months.. it's a nice place to talk to other mom's too. If that's not possible, contact La Leche League (look up the phone number in any baby book or the phone book) and they will help, too. In the event that your baby doesn't latch on.. they'll be able to make sure your pump is a good one & offer other advice.. but don't give up yet! It's very rewarding & worth it.. I hope this helps you.. good luck! S.

Definitely go see a good lactation consultant. The same thing happened to me when my daughter was born (she was given a bottle of sugar water w/o my consent) and we had a horrible time trying to latch properly. I waited 2 stubborn weeks, with torn nipples, before seeking help from a LC. She helped tremendously and got us back on track.

Good luck mama!
M.

you have to eat more to produce more milk. and sometimes you have to bottle feed if you dont have enough. but if you bottle feed (sub) sometimes ... make sure you pump. It takes time for you milk to come in. but you dont want to make your baby starve either. so dont feel bad by substituting.

Hi M. -

I had the same problem with my 4 month old. As soon as we got home from the hospital, my daughter screamed every time I tried to nurse her. I also felt like I was torturing her. It was heartwrenching. When my milk came in, I just pumped it and gave her my expressed milk because I wanted to keep up my supply. I was VERY worried that after that she wouldn't nurse. I figured if she wasn't going to catch on to nursing at least she was getting my milk. But, with A LOT of patience and persistance and help from a consultant I was able to get through it and she finally started to latch on. Don't worry, you'll both get it. I would recommend contacting the local San Diego breastfeeding helpline at ####-###-#### and also having a consultant come out to your house to 'show' you the right and wrong way. That will give you peace of mind. GOOD LUCK!

M., keep pumping and trying to nurse. You can always contact the Le Leche League in your area, google them. They will have a woman that can come out to your home if you want, and help you and give you more advice then I could. I know it has to be hard, but hang in there and give the League a call, they can help. Good luck!

Hi M.,

It looks like you have already gotten lots of good advice to contact a Lactation consultant and La Leche League for support and advice. You can do it! and I promise you that you won't regret breastfeeding your son.

-J.

Hi,

The same thing happened to me. First ask your nurse for the 800- help line phone number for breastfeeding. They are very helpful. The same thing happened to me with my son. This really stinks but they told me you have to take a full day and ONLY give your baby your breast and nothing else. It will seem like forever until your baby will start drinking. BUT, when they are hungry they will eat. I felt horrible that I was torturing my son. But by the end of the day it worked and I felt so relieved. I hated that he didn't want my breast anymore. You are not supposed to start bottlefeeding until they are 3 weeks, so I was told. Be strong and try not to let it get to you. Good Luck!!

Stephanie

Please see a Lactation consultant immediatley. Your son can very well still breastfeed, but you need some help. Check with your local hospital for one or look up the La Leche League. You can do it, and give your son the best thing you can give him.

Of course there is hope. Immediately consult a lactation consultant. You should be eligible for a consult through the hospital where you gave birth. Your baby doesn't already prefer the bottle, he just needs to learn how to breastfeed.

M.,
Stick with it! It can be hard even if the bottle is not introduced first. Most important thing is to stay calm and get some advise from La Leche League or a consultant they can help lower frustration levels for you and your baby when learning the teamwork it takes to nurse your baby. Good luck!!!!

We have a natural need to eat when hungry. He won't starve himself. Everytime he needs to eat just keep trying, don't give in to the bottle. It could take an hour, don't give up. He will soon know that there is no other choice. Good luck mama!

If it is something you strongly believe in doing, keep trying to breastfeed. Give him you & keep trying until he will latch on. Tease his mouth when he is hungry - with your finger and then with your nipple. He is probably only nipple confused and basically by forcing your nipple to him, when he finds milk, he will want more. I know it is frustrating but it is what it is. I know some women do both formula and breastfeeding. Good luck & God Bless You!

It can be done, but you have some hurdles ahead of you since your baby is already used to bottle nipples, and the sucking technique is completely different than breastfeeding. I highly recommend seeking out a lactation consultant and your local LLL (Le Leche League) chapter - they can both be of great help. Best of luck!

M.,
Please see a lacatation specialist at either the hospital where you gave birth, or you can contact Mama's Pump in Carlsbad. I struggled with breastfeeding at first too. My first daughter was unable to nurse due to GERD. A good friend of mine was struggling as well until she went to Mama's Pump. She found out she had inverted nipples and the baby wasn't getting a good latch. Don't give up! It will be worth the effort in the end. Also, try your pediatricin. I'm sure they can put you in touch with someone. GOod luck!!

yes there is hope! I had a similar situation. pumping, going to NICU, sleeping for little time, i had blood in my milk at about 8 days old, so i couldn't feed my son off of me. I was exhaused and at my wits end ready to just give in to the bottle & formula. but one day, after solely giving a bottle for 2 weeks, i said i have to try one more time. and i did, it took a lot patience & a lot of time at the breast with him falling asleep, but i guess i just committed to what i wanted to try one more time. i also visited a lactation counsler who was at her wits end with ways to get him to stay awake feeding. it took about 5 days and then he finally got it. It was well worth the exhausted days because he is now 1 1/2 week away from his 1st birthday and is still breastfeeding! no bottles or pump parts to clean anymore!!! my simple advice is, if breastfeeding is what you would like to do for you & your son, give it a go and with a little patience he'll get it & your milk will come in as you progress with it. i truly wish you all the best with this!

God bless & good luck!

Try a nipple shield. You can buy them at babies r us. by the madela breast pumps and stuff. It is a plastic sheild that is placed over the nipple and my help it feel like a bottle to him, and will even help with the soreness. Just be consistant and keep trying. It takes a lot of work!
Good Luck!!

i am a firm believer in breastfeeding so i applaud you!!!! there is definately hope. it took my son almost 2 months to get it completely right. you just keep trying. it may be all sorts of things that he's not quite getting it. i recommend trying La Leche League or a supportive lactation consultant who can give you tips. have patience with your little guy. he'll get it just like mine did and then never want to stop!!!! : )

hi M.,
this happens to almost all moms with first baby i guess, but you have kids before.. i went through this with my first one the only hope that i recommend is nipple shield, i know the lactaion consultant will say that it will decreasethe ammount of milk they take by 20% but i tell you that will also help them to know how to latch on, as they grow they will learn how to latch and your nmipple will be more bigger by then,just keep it on the breat and let him suck ,its easier for them to get a grip of the shield and you can see the milk going through that.
the shield will also help you with nipple cracking and pain..
and the amount of milk that a baby can get suck in 10 minutes or so is way more than the pump, so dont worry your milk is not going down the more the baby is gona suck the more the amount of milk, but if you just keep on pumping and giving him bottles the supply will go down its neccessary for a baby to latch on to develop the supply through hormonal response.
later aftera few weeks start removing the shield for sometimes and keep increasing the time without shield you ll see that theyll be fine

M., call a local hospital, ask for the maternity ward, and get a phone number for the Le Leche League, they will help you get all this straightned out. Really!
E. H