Seems like no one else can help-Nipple Confused 6 month old wont try SNS.

ThanxgivinBride

Hi, 

 

My DD has had nipple/flow preference since she's been about 6 weeks old.  LC suggested I give her pumped BM since its better than no BM.

Ive been doing that for the past four months and its wearing me down.  Especially in the middle of the night when I have to get up to prepare formula or stay up til midnight to pump for her so she can drink her milk. 

I have supply issues (less than 2oz's every 3 hrs). Ive done it all, lac cookies, mmp, fenu, power pumping. Im considering Reglan, but Im still on the fence about it.

Anyhow, I purchased the SNS about a month ago and my daughter wont even turn towards the breast and try to drink from it. Im thinking maybe putting juice in it? I know I shudn't try it when she's hungry, but with housework and a baby and aging parents I dont have time to sit there and do skin to skin and try to have her latch. Ive seen an LC (ibclc) on 3 diff occassions and they've been only so helpful. DD gets about 4 oz's of formula in the day and sometimes 2 or more in the night. She doesn't STTN and my back is killing me from pumping now. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get her on the SNS (that thing is sucha pain to use). I was thinking maybe juice or water and then gradually putting milk in it. I dont know, just tired and sad. I keep bawling whenever we try it and she gets frustrated.
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks once again guys.

jetgrrrl

What's an SNS (I guess if I don't know I probably can't be helpful, but I was curious)?

julia z

All I can really say is try to cherish this time with your baby, whether you can nurse easily or not. Don't put yourself down if it doesn't go as smoothly as you would hope. I don't know why nursing can be so hard but it really is. I have cried in frustration too- it's not a good feeling. But it sounds like you are a great mom! Just enjoy your beautiful baby daughter because she will be running around causing trouble in no time!  Sorry I don't have any experience with the SNS but just wanted to give you some support

ThanxgivinBride

An SNS is a supplemental nursing system used to supplement at the breast rather than with a bottle.  Also referred to as a Lact-Aid.

 

Thanks Mimama, everything you're saying is so true yet I just can't let go and it makes me so sad.  I feel like Ive failed my daughter and myself somehow.  Never knew BFing would be so emotional. 

cyko21

Personally I'd stop the SNS. That thing made me CRAZY and DD#1 hated it. I hated it. Have you tried a nipple shield at all? Let me say that you've done a GREAT job. It's so exhausting to pump around the clock. With DD#1 I would bf w/ a nipple shield and supplement w/ Formula. I stopped pumping because it was wearing me down and making me frustrated. Once I came to realize that the bfing I was doing w/ the nipple shield was still bfing and relaxed about it everyone was happier. And if it helps at all DD#2 took to bfing like a champ from the moment she was born. You're doing a great job

ryemo

DD wouldn't latch for the first 4 weeks and we tried it ALL. Here is what I would suggest:

1. Use a nipple shield to start baby latching on the breast. You may need to pump afterwards to make sure your supply doesn't go down, but the NS is only temporary. After a few weeks, go cold turkey and take it away (when I did this, DD looked at my nipple like "Well, this isn't my first choice but I know what I need to do." She latched and we've never used it since).

2. You can put the SNS under the nipple shield. I know it is a huge pain but if you really want to use it, this may help while you are struggling with the latch.

3. Alternatively, you could also have the baby latch with the nipple shiled and no SNS, and then use the SNS to finger feed the baby by holding it on your finger and letting baby suck. This would get you away from bottles as you try to get her on the breast.

ErinNConnorsMom

I have supply issues, but never used an SNS.  I would think that would be a bigger pain than anything else.  I nurse and then offer a supplementary bottle of formula.  Have you tried to get your dd to latch when she's sleepy?  When Kate is going through a nursing strike, sometimes the best nursing sessions I get are first thing in the morning (when my supply is highest) while side-lying.  I'm not sure I would put juice in the SNS, but have you used sugar water to try to get her to latch?  A nurse at the hospital tried that with Kate when she didn't want to latch, and it worked well.

Anyway, I've btdt with the nursing/pumping/feeding bottles round the clock and understand how much it takes out of you.  One option you may want to consider is to stop nursing/pumping at night and just feed her a bottle.  Just put however many oz of water you need in a bottle and keep the formula can in her room.  When she gets hungry, all you have to do is add the formula and shake it up.  Whatever you decide, good luck!

ThanxgivinBride

Thanks for the great advice.  Yes, I tried with a nipple shield at 6 weeks, but it didn't help.  I also put the NS on her bottle to make her work for the milk and get used to the NS so I can start using it on the breast.  That also didn't work.  Ive got a real fiesty LO.

Im gonna keep trying though.  I think I need to try harder.  Its just that pumping has been wearing me out so much I am not focusing hard enough on the SNS and NS.

 My left nipple also has these white patches and its also my lazy breast.  Im not sure what all that is about.  I have an appt with her ped and Im gonna ask him if I can give her diluted juices (white grape Ive read) to get her to atleast start the SNS.  Hope it works, wish me luck.

 Thanks again