Anyone else's LO won't latch?

froggystomper · February 2013

Due to Freya's rough start she was given bottles the first 5 days of her life. .We offered her the breast several times in there and she only latched once. We've now been home for a week and I still can't get her to latch. I've tried everything the lactation consultant said to do an no such luck. I'm pumping routinely so she is getting exclusively breast milk (I'm producing way more than she eats actually, is that bad?) but still no latch luck. Anyone else thinking of sticking with the exclusively pumping plan? She just gets SO MAD when brought to the breast that she then won't feed at all even with a bottle and I don't want that cycle to continue either... Ugh!

cmhicklin · February 2013

Have you tried a nipple shield? I EPed with my first, because she wouldn't stay on for anything. If you can keep up with it, the BM will be awesome for your LO.

kleigh926 · February 2013

I'm sorry you're having a rough time

Have you tried calling the lactation consultant since you've been home from the hospital? She might have a few more tricks up her sleeve. I am definitely not a breast feeding expert, but have you tried a nipple shield at all? I think that can help with latching issues, and maybe it will be just enough like a bottle nipple to get her to latch on.

tdmd09 · February 2013

We are having issues too. The magic bullet for a few days was a shield, and then if we placed a drop of formula or expressed BM on the shield, he'd latch long enough to nurse. Since we got home yesterday he won't even do that. We have been doing dropper feeds with what I pump but I am thinking of switching to a bottle for pumped milk because dropper feeds get really tedious as the amount he drinks goes up. I have an appt on Monday at the lactation clinic so hopefully they will have even more ideas.

BarrysGrl725 · February 2013

I totally feel you on this one. When we were in the hospital, they wouldn't let us go home until she was latching and feeding for a certain amount of time. I was getting frustrated, she was getting frustrated and we were both crying. She just wouldn't latch! Then they showed me the syringe trick....I had to use that trick for several days. Finally she got the hang of it and its been great since then! I hope you find something that helps you as well! I definitely commend you for persisting, I know its tough! Good luck! :

schwabmomma · February 2013

I'm in the exact same situation as you. My little guy refuses to latch now, gets really mad and frustrated. I've been pumping and giving formula. He's gaining enough weight now but it's been very difficult for me, as I really wanted to BF exclusively and he latched with a nipple shield in the hospital. But every since he's been home (for a week now) I've had no luck. I feel disapointed but I also know as long as he's getting what he needs that's what's important. I didn't expect it to be such a challenge though.

eriannc22 · February 2013

I totally understand. We have had trouble with latching and supply as well. We had to supplement with formula for a couple days but yesterday my supply came in enough to stop that. I was still mostly pumping and syringe feeding though. Finally last night I got the pillows into position to try "football hold" and it has been working much better. Good luck ladies. It ain't easy but hopefully we can stick it out until it gets better.

froggystomper · February 2013

I have tried the syringe thing and the nipple shield, no such luck. I really didn't expect this to be this hard either. I don't know how much longer I'm gonna try to get her too.

Smashdance · February 2013

A nipple shield has been my savior, as my LO was born with a small tongue tie. We had it snipped, but he still won't latch without the shield. I've tried a few times without the shield, but he gets really frustrated and starts wailing, so back on with the shield. I've also been pumping and giving him bottles of breast milk. I figure as long as he is getting breast milk and thriving, I'm good with however he gets it.

froggystomper · February 2013

Smashdance:
I figure as long as he is getting breast milk and thriving, I'm good with however he gets it.

This is what I'm leaning toward.

Renee1105 · February 2013

Breastfeeding was ridiculously difficult for me as well. I have flat nipples and LO had such a difficult time latching, even with the nipple shield. It was so frustrating for the both of us and I was worried sick because my baby was not eating. We made a family decision to pump and I've felt better ever since.

froggystomper · February 2013

You, mama, are amazing. I will work on some of these things with her!

tdmd09 · February 2013

schwabmomma:
I'm in the exact same situation as you. My little guy refuses to latch now, gets really mad and frustrated. I've been pumping and giving formula. He's gaining enough weight now but it's been very difficult for me, as I really wanted to BF exclusively and he latched with a nipple shield in the hospital. But every since he's been home (for a week now) I've had no luck. I feel disapointed but I also know as long as he's getting what he needs that's what's important. I didn't expect it to be such a challenge though.

This is us too. It makes me feel a little better to know other people are in the same boat. I'm going to the lactation clinic on Monday and we may look into a supplemental nursing system so he can get the instant gratification but still suck at the breast. In the meantime I'm pumping and giving him everything I can.

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