Switch to Breast After 9 Weeks of Bottle?

I had a similar problem. I couldn't get my son to latch and he had lost so much weight that we had to give him the bottle. My heart was set on bfing though. So I practiced with him every day.

After five weeks he finally did it. I found success in practicing while he was sleepy. He wasn't thinking about it and just did it. Good luck!

Hi D.,
I was in a very similar situation with my twins. My son went back to the breast at around 3 months which they say is a common time to be successful. My daughter flirted briefly with going back to the breast at 8 weeks or so, but never successfully made the transition (I used nipple shields when trying with her, but they ARE hard to use). So basically we were 50/50 and I still had to pump, but it was a nice bonding experience with my son. A supplemental nurser helped to encourage my son, but we only used it a couple of times. I had a couple of friends who found that nursing in the bath tub was the best way to make a breakthrough. I was confused at first, but there are some websites that tell you how to manage it. We tried the breastflow bottles and neither of my children would ever use them, plus they were messy and wasted the precious breast milk. If you are going to try them, try it with formula so you don't feet terrible when you can't get the milk back out.

I would think so. It sounds like you may be experiencing just the typical troubles that accompany breast feeding in the beginning. I had trouble getting my daughter latched on in the beginning and it hurt terribly. I saw a lactation consultant who was a tremendous help. I also used a shield for a few feedings, but honestly found it harder to use than just to get my daughter latched on properly.

I would suggest visiting a lactation consultant again. I'm sure there is a way to get him latched on correctly so you don't have to pump all the time. Keep trying!

I agree with the other moms, you should try with another lactation specialist first. Getting baby to latch correctly after so many weeks on the bottle is difficult but not impossible.

On the other hand, my baby was also a NICU baby (for other reasons) and I had to pump for the first month while he was on an IV. Because I was using the hospital pump, my supply was huge and I found that I didn't mind pumping every 3 hours and freezing my milk. Eventually when it was possible to breastfeed I mainly used a bottle with my breastmilk and only nursed for the morning and evening feeding. And it hurt. Then I would pump after he was done so I could be certain my breasts would be empty. He never learned to latch properly but I suffered through it and just continued to use breast cream (lansinoh). I felt like I had my breastpump attached to me, but I wanted him to have my milk, not formula, so I did what I had to do. I also tried to use a breastshield, but had no success with it. He didn't like it at all.

I bought a top of the line Medela breast pump and just pumped and pumped. Because I was pumping so much and emptying both of my breasts every 3 hours, I made more milk than baby could drink so I ended up buying a deep freezer and when I had way too much I ended up sending 3 large coolers full of milk to the Mother's Milk Bank (they accept donations of breastmilk and it goes to babies that need breastmilk when mom can't make it - usually sick babies).

So pumping all day/night and giving a bottle wasn't so bad and sometimes quite a bit more convenient than breastfeeding, so don't get frustrated with it. You'll eventually know what is best for you.

Because this is your first baby, you have the extra time to try to feed then follow with pumping. Just be patient and when you are trying to breastfeed don't get anxious, your baby will know it and it will be even harder for both of you.

Good luck to you!

It is certainly possible. This may not have to do with his unique circumstances of prematurity - You may have had some of thsese issues anyway. Nursing is not easy for many or most women and you were thrown an extra curveball. I would stick with it.

First, consider seeing a different lactation consultant. I also wouldn't rely on the hospital nurses if they gave lactation instruction, since many of them are not very good at it. A second opinion is a great idea.

I don't know what you were told, but I have heard that nipple shields can interfere with nursing, so I would seek a different approach. I myself was a candidate for a nipple shiled, but was advised against it. The key is really getting the right latch. Once you have it, you'll know it - no pain. However, learning a latch can hurt because of repeated irritation. Google "All Purpose Nipple Ointment" and ask your OB for a prescription.

Also, I would always "lead" with nursing - You need him to drain the breast thus increasing your supply and flow. I suggest that you try to nurse first at every feeding and follow with the bottle if he seems hungry. You should never feel bad about giving a hungry baby a bottle of formula, but you do want him to rely on your breast first and forremost, or your supply won't satisfy him.

Personally, I owuldn't waste time and money trying bottles. I don't think it matters, personally. But in your case, you want him to take the breast - not encourage him to take the bottle, which is why many BFing moms use the nipple based bottles.

Good luck. I hope it works for you. Even if you only nurse once a day, you will have a lovely experience and be giving him many of the benefits of breastfeeding. I have heard of adoptive moms starting to lactate and learning to breastfeed - a little weird, but if they can do it, I imagine you can too.

When I had my first baby, I didn't know anything about breastfeeding and it was horrible experience for me. My baby had thrush and I had mastitis. After 1.5 months nightmare, my husband convinced me to see a lactation consultant and it was miraculous that she changed breastfeeding from a painful thing into an enjoyment. One week after that, my baby got rid of bottle completely and slept through the night. I breastfed her for a whole year. Another whole year for my second baby and I'm breastfeeding my third baby who is 4.5 months old. No use for bottles at all. What I'm trying to say is that it is never too late to learn to breastfeed correctly, the key is patience and a lot of practice. It is a learning experience for both you and your baby. I suggest watching some videos about latch on online or go see a different lactation consultant. meanwhile, keep pumping to maintain your milk supply. Eating oat meal can really help to increase milk production. You can also get some More Milk Plus from Whole Foods Market. I used it when my baby was sick and refused to nurse and my milk was getting so low at one point. It went away as soon as my baby got better. The more you stimulate your breasts, the more milk you will get. Good luck!

J.

Hi D.,
As long as he's still trying, that should encourage you to keep trying too. I REALLY wanted to exclusively breastfeed my first dd, but I didn't have very good support and ended up giving up. I was bound and determined with my second dd and had wonderful support in the hospital. (She was in NICU for a week and I couldn't nurse her until 4 days after she was born. She also supplemented with a bottle the whole time, so your son using the bottle doesn't necessarily mean he won't want to nurse or will be "confused.") She's now over a year and still loves breastfeeding. My trick with my dd was to let her latch on with the widest mouth possible, then "help" her (and ME!) by pressing down on her chin (which opens her mouth wider) to make sure the entire auriola was in her mouth. You are tender at first and tend to "numb" as your breasts get used to nursing. Also, Lasinoh (lanolin) is AMAZING with any soreness or cracks and it's ok if the baby nurses after you've put it on. Lastly, get support. It's essential to have someone to talk to when you feel like quitting. Is there a local LLL? Don't be afraid to go to them--I was with my first dd. Good luck!

Congratulations on your baby! And on pumping breastmilk for your baby! Some moms transition to the breast in this situation while others pump for the duration. It takes patience as the bottle nipple is easier for the baby. Nursing at the breast builds the jaw muscles but takes more energy which is why premies often use a bottle or other feeding method in the beginning. Your pumped milk is full of the nutrients and antibodies that your baby needs!

You can try a supplemental nursing system which is a bottle with a tube attached that you tape to your breast so that the baby gets milk (your pumped milk or formula) while attached to the nipple. This gives the baby incentive to keep nursing even if their suck is too weak to stimulate a strong letdown.

Solving the sore nipple problem is important though. It may be that the baby needs to learn to suck at the breast. You can also use a clean finger to teach the baby to suck correctly. Check out llli.org for information on suck training and correct latch on. Never keep nursing if it really hurts. Carefully break the suction, try adding more support pillows (nothing special needed, just any cushion or rolled up towel or blanket helps - enough so that you are not hunched over or leaning into the baby but are relaxed, sitting back, feet up, and the baby is supported by the pillows). If you have large breasts, you may want to roll up a small towel or receiving blanket and put it under your breast so that your hands are free to help the baby latch on.

Nipple shields can help although you may eventually be weaning from that as well.

You are a great mom. Keep up the good work. You have a lucky little boy. And remember that many premies meet milestones and grow according to their due date rather than their birth date. If you think about that, your little one would only be 4 weeks and still in the thick of learning to nurse and your body would still be working on balancing the supply and demand of your breast milk.

I really like the Dr. Sears baby book which has good sections on premies and on alternative feeding methods. Dr. Sears wife used a supplemental nursing system to feed their adopted child and there is comment about how frustrated she was at times.

The most important thing is enjoying your baby as you work through these challenges.

K.

If he's trying, I'd try to work with him so more to find a comfortable way. I know that nursing my son hurt terribly for a few weeks while we were both getting used to it, but then it was all better and one day I remembered that it used to hurt. We just had to practice a little. I used Lansinoh (I think that's what it's called) and that helped me be a little less sensitive while we worked on it. He had some problems and had to spend some days in the neo-natal intesive care unit where he was bottle-fed to help supplement what I was giving him because they felt he needed the extra calories and to make sure everything was going right. Now, with my daugher I developed mastitis. You may want to search for that and see if any of that fits b/c that makes it hurt too. I think that if you feel you can't let him nurse anymore-if it just hurts too much, it's okay. You're still helping him a lot by pumping and I know I was one of those women who never imagined giving my kids formula bottles, but I had to for both of them at different times, and for different reasons and they're both fine.

I think its still possible, it just takes time and patience. Have you tried nursing without using the breastshield? When I experienced some pain I tried the breastshield but my son just couldn't get latched properly. If I nursed without the shield though he was fine.

I always paind close attention to my son's latch because it was painful if it wasn't right. I would stick my finger in the side of his mouth to encourage him to open it, then would slide my nipple in and pull my finger out. If he wasn't latched right I would stick my finger back into his mouth and start over.

I would suggest talking to another lactation consultant or even your pediatrician for help.

Keep trying! Breastfeeding in the beginning does hurt, no matter what any lactation consultant says. It can hurt for a long time, like 2 months. AT 3 months, I still have some issues that I have no idea how to address, but the pain is minimal for me. Though it is frustrating, keep at it and don't give in if you really want to do it. If you don't, say you've given it a good try and feel fine knowing you did your best. But if you want to breast feed and he is latching, keep on. You can do it!
A.

I had alot of pain in the hospital and gave in to the bottle when he was three days old. I didn't give up on breastfeeding and he eventually latched ok. Even an average size newborn may be small when trying to latch so your preemie may need to get bigger to get a good latch. That doesn't mean it won't work, you just have to keep working with him. My little guy is 9 weeks old and was only latching on about once per day and now won't latch at all so I am back to square one but the pain did go away. I consulted a lacation consultant that my hospital recommended. Her name is Stacy and here is her web address-http://www.helpingyou2breastfeed.com/. My son has a bubble pallete and is slightly tongue tied so even when he does successfully latch on, he is not able to express enough milk for a successful feeding but reading some peoples responses who have fought even at the three month mark. Good luck to you!