Help, I don't want to stop bf

[tvp]

Baby girl: 9.5 weeks old
Birthwt: 6lb1oz
Current wt: 9.1lbs

Up until now I have been bf really well. All of the sudden during yesterday, my baby started to get real fussy everytime I tried to feed her. My husband gave her the bottle and she took it fine. (I'm working and taking the bottle away isn't an option for me) But at last night, she nursed fine, no fuss, both breast. Then this morning, same thing, she latched on sucked for about 5 mins, then let go and started crying. Then I tried just held her for a couple of mins, then tried again, same thing. I didn't know what to do, so i pumped and bottle fed her.

I really don't want to stop nursing. Please any help would be great. I just don't know what to do.

[singin_mama]

I don't have any advice I am sure someone here will be able to offer some
:hug:

[Sassafras]

Ask an LC is in the forum now

http://www.breastfeeding.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=20

[Amy_G_]

there is no one answer
start here
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/fussy-while-nursing.html


and nursing strike
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html#strike

and faster flow from a bottle
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/fussy-while-nursing.html#slow

and a bit of bottle nipple preference.

NIPPLE CONFUSION
There are some basic mechanical differences between how a baby gets milk from a bottle and how a baby gets milk out of the breast. Giving bottles or pacifiers to young, breastfeeding babies often leads to nipple confusion. Baby tries to use the bottle-feeding technique on the breast and has difficulty latching-on and sucking. Baby gets very frustrated, and so does mother. Nipple confusion can even lead to baby refusing the breast. Here's an explanation.

To get milk from the breast, baby must coordinate tongue and jaw movements in a sucking motion that's unique to breastfeeding.

When baby latches onto the breast, he opens his mouth wide and draws the very stretchable nipple and areolar tissue far back into his mouth.
The tongue holds the breast tissue against the roof of baby's mouth while forming a trough beneath the nipple and areola.
The gums compress the milk sinuses underneath the areola (the pigmented area around the nipple) while the tongue rhythmically "milks" the breast with a wave-like motion from front to back, drawing the milk from the areola and the nipple.
Since the nipple is far back in baby's mouth, it's not compressed by the gums, so it's less likely to get sore.
Babies suck from a bottle entirely differently. Thanks to gravity, milk flows from a bottle so easily that baby does not have to suck "correctly" to get milk.

He doesn't have to open his mouth as wide or correctly turn out the lips to form a tight seal.
The bottle nipple does not need to be far back into the mouth, nor is the milking action of the tongue necessary.
Baby can lazily gum the nubbin of the rubber and suck with only his lips.
When the milk comes out too fast, baby may thrust his tongue forward and upward, to stop the flow from the nipple.
Milk keeps on coming during feedings from bottles--whether or not baby sucks--so there are no pauses to rest during bottle-feedings.
Problems occur when babies apply the lessons learned from bottle-feeding to nursing at the breast. When you compare the illustration of sucking at an artificial nipple with the illustration of sucking at the breast, you will see that if baby sucks from the breast the same way he does the bottle, the tongue and the gums will traumatize mother's nipple.

Babies who get bottles soon after birth may thrust their tongue upward during sucking and push the breast nipple out of their mouth.
They don't open their mouths wide enough when latching-on, so they suck only the tip of the nipple. They don't get enough milk, and mother's nipples get sore.
Baby becomes accustomed to the immediate flow of milk that comes from the bottle; at the breast, babies have to suck for a minute or two to stimulate mother's milk ejection reflex and get the milk flowing.
Does this mean that bottle-feeding is easier than breastfeeding? Yes, and no. Bottles require less sucking finesse and less effort. However, studies comparing premature infants during bottle-feedings and during breastfeedings have shown that breastfeeding is actually less stressful.

Babies' breathing and heart rate are more stable during feedings at the breast.
Babies have more control over the milk flow and can establish a more regular rhythm of sucking, swallowing, and pausing.
Feeding at the breast also requires less energy.
PREVENTING NIPPLE CONFUSION
It is easier to prevent nipple confusion than to fix it--though it is a problem that can be solved, should it occur (see below). Breastfed babies should not be given artificial nipples during the first three to four weeks when they are learning and perfecting their breastfeeding skills. Avoiding artificial nipples means avoiding pacifiers as well as bottles. Supplements, if medically necessary, can be given in ways that don't involve artificial nipples. (See Alternatives to Bottles.)

Will it be more difficult to introduce the bottle later? Many mothers, because they are going back to work or because they eventually plan to get out for a few hours by themselves, want their breastfed babies to accept feedings from bottles. They have heard stories of babies who adamantly refused anything but the breast. Getting baby to accept a bottle at age two or three months may take some patience, but most babies will catch on after a few tries. (Babies can also be fed with alternatives to bottles when mother is gone.) While introducing the bottle at one or two weeks of age may insure that baby accepts the bottle later, you're taking a risk. Some babies easily go back and forth between breast and bottle, but many others do not. Don't jeopardize your breastfeeding relationship when it has barely begun.

UN-CONFUSING THE NIPPLE-CONFUSED BABY
When a baby who is getting bottles begins to balk at taking the breast, nipple confusion is probably at the heart of the problem. Here's how to re-teach a baby what to do at the breast:

Banish bottles and pacifiers. Even if your baby will eventually have to learn to use the bottle because you are returning to work, don't ask him to learn both skills at the same time.

If supplements are needed, they can be given in ways that don't use artificial nipples. (See Alternatives to bottles.)

Reacquaint baby with the pleasures of breastfeeding. Give her lots of skin-to-skin contact. Carry her in a sling near the breast between feedings.

Breastfeed when baby is calm, usually in the morning or upon awakening from a nap. Don't wait until baby is ravenously hungry--she'll be in no mood to try something new.

Review the latch-on basics. Be sure that baby is positioned properly in your arms. Wait until her mouth is wide open and her tongue is down before latching her on to the breast.

Show and tell. Open your mouth as you say "open" to baby during latch-on. Even newborns can imitate adult facial expressions.

Provide baby with instant gratification at the breast. Use a breast pump or manual expression to stimulate your milk ejection reflex and get the milk flowing before latching baby on. She'll be rewarded with a hearty flow of milk after the first few sucks.

Use an eyedropper or feeding syringe to drip milk into baby's mouth as she latches on to the breast. (Get some help with this one.) This may encourage baby to stay latched-on and to continue sucking.

For more suggestions and support, get help from a La Leche League Leader or a lactation consultant.
Babies often act puzzled or uncertain when they are re-introduced to the breast. Be patient. Praise your baby for every tiny step she takes back to breastfeeding. It may take a few days to woo baby back to the breast, but you can do it.

[HammBugga]

It could also be teething. Just keep offering the breast.

[cc1003]

Since it's in the morning it could be OALD. You can read about it more here (http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/fast-letdown.html).

[Nipple_nectar]

I am voting for nipple confusion:) www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_confusion.html

Please choose a BFing friendly feeding alternative www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/alternative-feeding.html

I used a finger feeder with ease, I could answer any questions you have.

[pumpkinhead7]

What type of nipple are you using? Is it the slowest flow, newborn nipple? If not, it should be. Will she take a pacifier? You might try having her caregiver giver her one before a bottle so that she learns that milk doesn't just pour out of every nipple offered to her.

[tvp]

She is using level one nipple (i'm using the bornfree bottles).
So last night went well again, she took both breasts. Then at her 3 am feeding, she wanted nothing, I mean nothing to do with the left breast. She took the right one fine. (the tends to prefer the right breast anyhow). I didn't want her to get upset and associate that with the left breast. So i just gave her the right one again. Just lying her in the postion to take the left breast seem to upset her.
I'm trying not to get frustrated, but I have no idea what's going on. I don't think its nipple confusion since she's fine with the right side.

[tvp]

Could she be teething already at 10 weeks?

[ima062002]

Unlikely re. the teething. It sounds like nipple preference. I'd make sure that you never give her a bottle and that whoever bottle feeds her does it this way: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/bottle-feeding.html

Other than that I would change the position and see if that helps (walking sometimes will do the trick, singing, dancing) - see here for more tips: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html

[Nipple_nectar]

I agree with Ima about position. Newborns can be strange, demanding little creatures! The next time, you can also offer the left firt, when she is hungrier, she may be more receptive.

The good news is that this is a very small phase, once you develop a strong nursing relationship, there isn't much you can do to effect the quality of it, so "no worries" are certainly ahead of you! Hang in there, nursin momma!

A great book recommendation would be The happiest baby on the block by Dr. Harvey Karp. In it, he explains infant communication very well, I think it is a must own:)

Learning the side lying position will be helpful because there is very little movement of baby to switch sides. I used to put my DD in the middle of the bed and just run around the bed when it was time to change;-)

My DD cried every time we switched because she thought I was taking her bewbie! She is 18 months now and only nurses to sleep, she still cries sometime, in her sleep, when I slip it out:)

[Amy_G_]

eh she's got nipple preference alright.
bottle nipples are good,
right nipple is pretty good
she doesn't prefer the left one ! Poor left nipple feeling all left out. :(

make sure the bottle nipples are slow flow, bottles are only given if the two of you are apart, and other hints above.

when she wants to nurse on the right side, and you want her to nurse on the left side, start on the right side and then MOVE YOURSELF, not her, so she can latch onto the left side in the same position. there is a slight chance of ear infection--which could cause her to want to keep the owie ear down and warm rather than up in the cold air. so if it continues you could ask for an ear check at the dr office.

don't worry, it will be ok.

[tvp]

Thanks everyone for the great advice...I'll try lying on my side next time. Hopefully that works. I'm a bit confused on how I would move myself and not hear to switch sides??
I was getting so upset think this was the end of our nursing relationship...drama queen in me i suppose.

[Amy_G_]

well I had a hard time nursing on the "top" breast when side lying, but it wasn't impossible. baby has to be a bit further away from you and you kind of lean over. I had better results with putting baby up on top of a couple of firm pillows to raie baby up to the height of the "top" breast. of course, be careful co-sleeping with baby and pillows.

[crisna120]

My son also has nipple confusion, and I too am stuck using bottles due to work. What is working for me is a nipple shield. It is like a thin silicone nipple that you place over your breast. DS refuses the breast without it, but nurses great with it. It can lower your milk supply, so you should use it under supervision of a LC. However, my milk supply has not been affected at all. They are kind of a pain, and you can't forget to take one with you when you leave the house, but for me, it has saved my BF relationship. The downside is that now, DS is attached to it, and I don't know if I will be able to wean him off of it. But again, I feel like if I didn't have it, I would have quit a while ago. Good Luck!

[Nipple_nectar]

Nipple shields are a quick fix and a good alternative under the care of a professional as long as it is short term. The danger of nipple confusion getting even worse is ever present. I used one to get my nipple confused preemie back to the breast. We used it for about four weeks with each session: I would attempt to go without until we experienced some resistance but not so much that baby is too worked up/upset to nurse.

I used the side lying position and put baby on her back, in the middle of the bed. I would pull her towards me once I was in position to latch with the breast closest to the bed. After nursing from the first side, I would pick her up and burp her and then lay her back on her back and trot around the bed to put the second breast in a position closest to the bed.

I would lay down next to her and again pull her towards me to nurse, she didn't realize it was a different breast:)

[ima062002]

crisna120 - if it works for you that is great. Some moms want to get rid of it and it's certainly better. But if you are stuck re. the bottles and your baby does great on the shield, I think that there is nothing wrong doing that until you wean.

The only thing I'd suggest is to try to nurse without one when your baby is kind of sleepy and see if that works and take it from there. If baby fusses or refuses, put the shield back on. Doesn't hurt trying every once in a while. Some moms also use it until the milk lets down, then quickly take baby off, take off the shield and put baby back on. Some babes will tolerate that and then slowly move away from the shield. I know at least one mommy who just gave up though and nurses her baby with the shield. She's happy like that; no more stress for her and for the baby. And that is fine too.

[bfmomworries]

my daughter prefers the right over the left. I try to feed her on the left still and sometimes she will take it but not always. I have learned if I lay her down like she would be getting the right breast, and just swivel my body so that i can give her the left breast, she will take that one that way.

maybe that will work for you and your baby:)

[crisna120]

Every time I try to go without the shield it is very painful after (and during) feeding. I have thrush, which is resolving, but I think it is a latch problem/nipple confusion as well. I have seen a LC numerous times and she says it is fine, but I am starting to think differently. I think I have just given in and I figure I will only be nursing in the evening and at night, and pumping during the day. So I am usually home when I nurse, and using the shield has been the easier of the two battles. Maybe this is the lazy way out, but again, this is just what works FOR ME...of course, if I didn't have to use the shield, I would love to trash it...but I know I wouldn't have made it this far without it.

[tvp]

We're finally back to our old bf days...I'm so relieved. But because she wasn't feeding as often those couple of days, I developed a few clogged ducts :( So now I have to work up my milk supply again.

But I'm just glad to be bfing again!!

[ima062002]

Do you know how to unclogg them momma? Here is some info: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/mastitis.html#usualtreatment

Glad that baby is back to normal :).

[Nipple_nectar]

Crisna, what are you using to eliminate your thrush?

TVP~ good news, keep up the great work:)

[jodibug]

I am really glad to see that things are going better for you!

[Amy_G_]

my post is directed at crisna120:
you may need to see a different LC. they all have different areas of expertise and practice. Using a shield may lead to lowered milk supply, because baby sometimes isn't able to latch on well enough to fully empty the breast. Keep trying and have an LC evaluate latch without the shield if possible.

[tvp]

Unfortunately clogged ducts are no strangers to me, so I'm becoming an expert on trying to unclog them.
Quick question... do clogged ducts lead to lower milk supply? My supply tends to decrease afterwards and it takes about a week for it to get back to normal.

Thanks for everyone's input and advice...it helped!!!!

[Amy_G_]

tvp, usually when you have a clogged duct, you don't get out as much milk, and milk remaining in the breast tells the breast to make less milk. so that's why it effects supply. nurse nurse nurse.

[crisna120]

I am taking Diflucan (the proper dosage) along with GSE, and all of the usual precautions. I really think it is a latch issue, although it does hurt a little to pump as well. I have been using the shield a month and a half and my milk supply is still the same, so I guess that's why I haven't been persistant at trying to wean DS from it. There aren't any other LCs in my area, and now I'm back at work, so it is hard for me to get anything done during the week. For now, I'm okay with the shield...but I think its because I associate nursing w/out it with pain.

TVP ~ I'm so glad things are back to normal!

[Nipple_nectar]

Crisna~ I think the silverette is going to solve alot of your problems! I'll be anxious for some feedback:)

[GirlsMama]

Honestly I wouldn't give her a bottle. I'd just keep offering the breast.