Nursing Supplimenter

I got some feeding tubes from the hospital and put the milk in a bottle and force the tube through the nipple of the bottle, then it didn't leak. Attached it to my breast and let them drink from the breast and get supplemented at the same time. Ask at the NICU for some feeding tubes to get you started so that you can hopefully stop the bottles, but if he is not getting enough through the tube you will still need to supplement another way. It worked for me though.

Your doctor should have known better:( Find a lactation consultant or a new breastfeeding-advocating doctor who can help. You attach a tube next to your nipple so that when he latches, you can push extra pumped milk through the tube with a syringe. The sooner you drop the bottle, the better.

First off, I'd stop ALL bottles cold turkey.
Secondly I'd go to a IBCLC, CLC or Le Leche League Leader about help with latching.

If these two options don't work... look into this:
http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/breastfeedi...

I had a similar problem and tried the SNS and went to lactation consultant. Nothing worked. I ended up pumping and bottle feeding the breast milk. It was very emotional and difficult to give up nursing, but it simply wasn't working. I wish you the best of luck!

I had to take a tube and tape it to my breast and put it in my babies mouths (I had twins) while they nursed so that they were still nursing and getting breast milk, and they were getting supplemented at the same time. It helped them to start gaining weight again.

The Medela SNS is the one I used and it was great. If you also need to supplement him with a bottle so he is healthy and not losing weight, I recommend using a BreastFlow bottle by the first years. They are designed to require both compression and suction in order for your baby to get milk, which makes them less lazy and more likely to continue to nurse. They really worked for me when I had to supplement my son when I had supply issues. They can be purchased at Target in the store or online. Good luck and be persistent! But please don't feel bad if you have to use some bottles. Your babies health is important above all!

Ditto Sarah D.

A 'bottle' is only by gravity... thus it is 'easier' for a baby to drink from... and they get used to that.
A breast, requires mouth/tongue coordination and the baby getting the let-down of milk... and newborns can get 'nipple confusion', thusly.

You NEED to see a Lactation Consultant... to help him latch on, properly. He may or may not, go back to breast....

BUT, your baby is losing weight... and may get dehydrated if he does not get adequate intake... ON-demand.

Seek a Lactation specialist... but also make SURE your newborn is getting adequate intake... because, dehydration in an infant, is dangerous.... and they need to feed on-demand.... no matter what the apparatus....

I went through that with my son too. I would recommend a lactation consultant if you have access to one but i would also go out and buy a 'Medela Nipple Shield'. It turns your breast into a bottle nipple, my son was able to latch on easier and nurse better, they are under $10 and can find them at Target and Babies R Us. I was able to eventually wean him off of it.

Also, if your going to supplement offer him both breasts first then supplement with a bottle and pump, you want to make sure you totally empty your breasts to keep your supply up.

Good luck!

#1 Spend every bit of time you can with your baby next to your chest - skin to skin. This will help reawaken his instinct to go back to the breast.
#2 Medela is the only nursing supplementer I have seen locally. They have a starter under $20 (temporary use, 1-7 days) and the regular under $60. http://www.bosombuddies.com/index.php?main_page=product_i...
The regular one may be out of stock because Medela has been backordered on them for a while.
#3 a nipple shield may help. Even though they are available from BrUs, etc. Medela recommends they be used under the guidance of a lactation consultant.
#4 See a lactation consultant. It is definitely possible to get your baby back on track at the breast. An LC can help you put together steps to do that. There are LC's at Bosom Buddies who have had experience with this specific problem.
I need to disclose I am one of the lactation consultants at Bosom Buddies. Many moms go back to their hospital LC. Some of those LC's have had experience with supplemeters, some have not.
suep