Frustrated w/ supplementing - need advice please!

CassieD

I'm sorry this is so long. But here's the story, and I would love any advice anyone has to give. 

My LO was born on Saturday at 37 weeks exactly, weighing 6 lb 2 oz. She was a breastfeeding champ pretty much right away, latched right on every time, and I was amazed at how easy it seemed to be. However, she was a very sleepy baby and frequently wouldn't wake up for feedings. When we left the hospital on Tuesday, she was down to 5 1/2 pounds and was starting to get higher billirubin levels, so the pediatrician recommended supplementing with formula until my milk came in. When I met with the lactation consultant, she showed me how to pump after each feeding and said that DH should give the baby a bottle of formula while I pumped. In her words exactly, "Most babies don't have any trouble switching between breast and bottle."

So, we did what we were told. And it was fine for about 24 hours. When my milk started coming in yesterday, I was excited that we could quit with the formula. Except now, starting yesterday afternoon, every time I try to latch her on, all I get is screaming and an irate baby. It takes a good 10-15 minutes of trying to hold her there while DH squirts formula on my nipple in an attempt to get her to suck and latch. It's like 24 hours on a bottle made her lazy and now she all she wants is the bottle nipple.

 We have an appointment with the pediatrician today to recheck billirubin, but I'm going to ask for some advice about this whole situation. I want her to gain weight and avoid problems with jaundice, but I'm so angry that we were talked into formula. And if the formula was truly necessary, why didn't the LACTATION CONSULTANT suggest using a syringe or dropper or something instead of a bottle? I feel like she is responsible for screwing up breastfeeding when it was going perfectly fine before. 

Has anyone experienced a similar situation? I'm desperate for advice about how to correct this. 

Boho_Mama

I am so mad for you!  I think it was very irresponsible for the LC to suggest a bottle let along a bottle.  At the very least a SNS should have been used   That's besides the fact though...and I am sorry you had such bad advice.

Actually, a SNS could come in handy now.  That way you would be bringing babe to the breast, but she wouldn't be as frustrated by the lack of immediate flow.

Also, are you very engorged?  I just know when my milk came in and my breasts were harder and fuller, DD had a harder time nursing.  If this is the case, warm towels and breast massage to empty the breast a bit should help.

 

CassieD

I don't think engorgement is the issue. They don't feel THAT hard - definitely harder and fuller, but not insanely so - and she nurses just fine once we finally get her latched.

When I fed her a little bit ago, she fought less than she did last night, so I suppose that's progress. I just get madder and madder the more I think about this. 

Hoax

Re latching is possible, just be patient.

At1stsight

I am also very mad for you. High bili is such a temporary thing with negligible consequences unless you let it get REALLY high; breastmilk and bfing are long-term and have so many benefits for LO. DS had jaundice for almost the entire 2 weeks he was in the NICU, and we still only gave breastmilk during that time. I think you just had a bad day and she'll latch better each coming time. Try not to stress!

sgrl

Unreal! Even our pediatrician (ie, NOT an LC) gave us a syringe!