4days old, alrdy used to artifcl nipples

[rastamomma]

I have a 4day old son and at this point i can't get him to even just try to latch on. I tried bringing him to my breast since i gave birth but has only tried sucking a few times then releases my nipple right away. this happened when i didn't have much milk yet. but now that i do have a lot of milk he doesn't want to latch on anymore. ofcourse since he doesn't latch on well the only way i had to feed him was through a bottle. so i pumped milk and that's how he breastfed. now i think he's so used to the artificial nipple that he doesn't want to even try to suck on mine anymore. :( is there still hope for me to convert him into a natural breastfeeder? help please.. :(

[hotlama]

Repost this on the general board. It will get more attention. Sorry, I can't help. I'm still a new nurser.

[maabell]

Welcome to the boards...
I think you should post on the general breastfeeding board, there are a lot of veteran nursers there.

I used both bottle and breast from about day 3 and baby is fine. I had to for health reasons.

Anyway, yes, you can get your baby back on the breast.

First off, you need to offer breast more than bottle. Try holding the breast in a c-hold or sandwich hold. This make it easier for the baby to latch on. If you are really full or engorged, you may want to hand pump some milk out to make the breast easier for the babe, as well.

baby crying,..I will post links later...In the meantime checkout kelllymom.com

[juliekathleen2]

Keep trying! do NOT let anyone tell you it doesn't matter or there is no difference, because it DOES and there IS - my daughter was forced to give bottles to her baby when he landed in the hospital at 5 days of age. He is now almost 3 months old and she is struggling to produce enough breast milk for him, and THEN she will have to struggle to get him back on the breast instead of the bottle... I suggest you educate yourself and go with your instincts. Don't feel guilty if you DO choose bottles over breast, but if you want to solely breastfeed your baby and are getting conflicting information from your health care providers, or getting information that doesn't feel right to you; then GO WITH WHAT YOU THINK IS BEST!
Good luck,
juliekathleen2 (the grandma half)

[veteranmom]

does your hospital have a lactation consultant that you can call? Can your ped recommend one? it is definitely worth the money. they can help you out

[Tufftitty]

It does sound like nipple confusion. Check out this link for some help: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html

[mommyofjadyn]

I had the same problem. But after bottle feeding and pumping for two weeks, I really wanted to get her to breastfeed. I just kept offering the breast and feeding her a bottle after I offered (whether she ate some or not to make sure she was getting enough) Eventually she just took it when she was about 6 weeks old. I think it was because by then she was more awake and alert so she was more willing (since breast feeding is more work for babies than bottle feeding.)
Just keep at it, it's never too late.
Try doing skin to skin when you bottle-feed, so he'll associate that with eating. Sometimes I get her sucking on a paci and then quick pull it out and get her on the breast (sometimes they need tricking).
Or maybe consider a nipple shield. Although I did that and I still had to pump anyways because I was told that it won't stimulate the milk supply.
Just keep at it! Good luck!

[intokermit]

All of the above it great advice. I would also recommend switching your bottles to Breastflow. You can find them at Babies R Us. They not only feel more like a breast, it teaches them to suck properly. Be warned, they will not like the bottle for the first couple of days. I had to EP only for the first 2 months, and am just now getting him to solely breast feed. You can do it. He's 4 days old, which is alot better to get him used to you. Keep at it, and you'll make it. You also have some great women here who can guide you every step of the way!

[Rieckah]

Google La Leche League in your area and give them a call. They have been tremendous help for me.

[pumpkinhead7]

IF you have tried and tried and your baby simply will not latch onto your breast, you might consider trying something called a nipple shield. It is best used under the supervision of an internationally certified lactation consultant, and should only be used as a last resort, but it sounds like you're reaching that place.

They're available at many drug stores, ToysRUs and any LC should be able to provide you with one. It's basically a little film of silicone that fits over your nipple and areola and makes you feel more like a bottle nipple. If he starts latching with the sheild, you can gradually start trying to get him to latch without it. It's not something that is meant to be used long term, but with any luck, it'll do the trick.

Your baby is still so young. Anything is possible for you both if you get the proper help. I wish you luck!

[tbird027]

I had almost the same problem. I was also pumping and giving it to him through a bottle. What helped get him back on my was a nipple shield. He is now 10 weeks old and takes my breast. I would rather him take me with a nipple shield than have to pump for every feeding. Its worth trying and if you do want to try this method I purchased my nipple shield at Target for not even $5.

[klynnw]

I had exactly the same problem!!! My lo still prefers his bottle (he's 11 weeks) but he will latch consistently now, I think the first time he latched was when he was 4 or 5 weeks old, unfortunately, his latch is not ideal and we are still working on that. We tried a nipple shield, but what I ended up doing after reading how that could affect supply, I just offered him the breast at least 3-4 times per day, usually when he had had some bottle already to calm him. Then, we he started latching a little more, I would offer him the breast before the bottle and let him suck until he got a let down, then when he cried because the milk stopped flowing as fast, I took him off and finished him off with a bottle. Currently, he takes his bottles only after the breast or if I need a break. This is a SLOW process, but those days where I only have to pump 3 or 4 times are wonderful. Good luck! Feel free to pm me if you want to talk more!