1 week in and losing hope... please help! (latch issues)

nicki731 · October 2011

Hi ladies. LO was born one week ago today, and is doing great but we're having major issues with BF. He latched right on in the delivery room about 10 minutes each side, and then he completely STOPPED latching. I do have somewhat flat nipples, but I worked with the LC like crazy in the hospital, he just wouldn't latch for anything so we started supplementing with bottles (both of formula and breast milk that I'm pumping). All week I've been trying to get him to latch using SNS, nipple shield, etc. and he wasn't doing it (he just screams) so we've been sticking with bottles, again of both formula and breast milk. I finally got him to latch on today for about 10 minutes with a nipple shield and I was thrilled! But then he stopped, still acted hungry, and would only take the bottle again. Does anyone have any advice or similar experience? I'll keep trying with the shield, but I'm just getting so frustrated and upset about the whole thing. I never imagined I wouldn't be able to BF, didn't really want to have to EP, and I feel like I'm running out of time to get this right :-/ TIA!

tokenhoser · October 2011

Is there a La Leche League in your city? I'd contact a leader asap: 1-877-4-LALECHE (1-877-452-5324).

Has he been evaluated for a tongue tie?

madelinemurski606 · October 2011

DD had a tongue tie and did this same thing. I ended up EPing, but if I could change it, I would work with LaLeche league or other consultant. Basically, sucking is hard. Babies get used to bottles because they get a little on the lazy side. I'd rather my food just run into my mouth than work for it too if I was a baby. So what happens is they get used to being "lazy" and protest in the same way OP described. I gave up and went to EPing because I couldn't handle my child screaming when I exposed a breast. That was just us though.

JessiUF · October 2011

I had the most horrible time in the beginning. Not latching, colic, reflux, screaming at the breast, etc... I just wanted to tell you that there is hope at the end of the tunnel. My DD will turn 1 next week and she is now a breastfeeding champ. Good luck!

JessiUF · October 2011

Oh and call me crazy but this worked for me. When my DD didn't want to latch I would sometimes pick her up asleep and put her to the breast. She usually latched when I did that.

lanbob · October 2011

My daughters had no prob nursing by our new Lil Man is a whole nother story. Latching & supply issues all new to me. The only way Lil Man latches on is i hold my boob for him with index finger on 1side and middle finger on the other side to get my nipple to come out a little for him. I have to hold it till he gets confee then i can let go. Good luck i hope you find what works for you soon.

mmkaye · October 2011

I had similar issues. DS would not latch, dropped too much weight (a pound), had to be given pumped breastmilk in a bottle, preferred the bottle. Add to this mastitis in both sides, yeast infections from the mastitis antibiotics, vasospasms, low supply from mastitis (and ds not latching for days at first.) I have no idea how I stuck it out, but am so glad I did.

It still hurts at times because ds's latch is less than perfect and he has a temper, is impatient, etc. But I am so proud of myself and it is so worth it. DS is so healthy, happy, etc.

You can do it. Just take it one day or one feeding at a time. It was about three weeks before I could get ds to latch with any regularity.

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1 week in and losing hope... please help! (latch issues)

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