Child not Latching

[sigmasailor]

I have a 3 1/2 week old son that is not satisfied with the fastness of the milk supply my breasts make. He latches on but then gets very frustrated with it and begins screaming. I have tried for the last 3 weeks at least once a day to get him to latch and go with it. What else can I do to help him want to latch on.

Secondly, because my son is not latching on I am pumping. But I only pump about 7.0 ounces a day at most. What can I do to increase milk supply to allow him to get more breast milk rather than so much formula per feeding?

Thanks.

[annieversteeg]

Check to make sure the flanges of the pump are fitting properly. Very few women need the size the pump comes with.
Pump AROUND the clock. Every three hours. Put your baby to the breast when he is full and happy not when he is stressed and hungry. He is still very young and may need more time to get to the breast. Supplementing at the breast really helps too. You can see how to do it at my web site beachareabreastfeeding.com or drjacknewman.com

[sigmasailor]

Are their any pics anywhere where I can see how much of my nipple should be in the cups when pumping. Thanks.

[sigmasailor]

I also see that you asked a lady if her 2 week old baby was a 37 weeker. My son was. Does this have anything to do with him not wanting the nipple. I will go back to supplementing 1/2 of his bottle at the end of his feeding when he is happy and then having him try to latch on at the end. If this doesn't work then should I go with the shield, or should I go ahead and try to get that going now?

[annieversteeg]

I don't know of any pumping photos.. good idea though! If it feels rough and uncomfortable you may need a bigger size.
37 weekers are EARLY!! We call them 'late pre-term babies' and they come with their own set of issues. Mostly they are fully 'cooked' but not quite ready to full breastfeed. They somehow know they should still be getting 'free womb and board'! I like to give these babies as much leeway as possible and have no expectations of them to full nurse unti well into their due date week!
Lots of these guys do the best with a). nipple shield and then b). going to the breast after their feed so there is NO stress associated with feeding.

I fully understand that it is common to induce women at 37 weeks and all I can say is, "I don't know why we are trying to make gestation 37 weeks instead of the tried and true 40 weeks".

Be patient.. You will be happy in the end!

Happy Mothers Day!!!!