Should I switch to bottle? She is refusing my brest :(

[KatieKitten]

Hi guys

Bub is 6 weeks old, and has been feeding well for about 10 mins on one breast, then when I burp her or she is put on the other, she refuses to eat further, she screams in hunger and tries desperately to find milk (which i seem to have if i sqeeze the boob), but she just doesnt want the breast anymore.... the wierd thing is she then will happily drink another 100ml from a bottle...

why would she stop halfway after feeding???
she usually latches on so well.. so dont know why she is doing this?? is she trying to tell me that she no longer wants my breast and prefers a bottle??

should i express and feed her in bottles from now on?

[Benji]

Personally I think expressing and using bottles is risky because it could mess with your supply and could cause nipple confusion.

I would probably try to make an appt with a lactation consultant ASAP before you start resorting to anything else.

[mumma bear]

Yep, i second the lactation consultant recommendation.

[punkbaby]

I agree with the above posts plus you may find when she has to work for the boob she might fight it, i am going through that now.

Get in touch with someone from the ABA they are great but i think as shes starting to have to work harder for the milk shes fighting it :)

[reAllytee]

Going to the bottle may not make things easier at all.

Squeak had breast refusal due to reflux & whilst some days he would take a little from the bottle on others i struggled to get anything into him. I often had to syringe formula into his mouth. Using a bottle may not solve the problem im afraid.

This is a really hard stage at this point cause both you & bubs are still learning how breastfeeding works. So while its really hard at this point stick with it as it will get easier.

I really wouldnt offer the bottle but perservere with boob instead. Have you tried different positions like maybe even laying down to feed as this may be easier for her. Does she take herself off after 10mins or are you taking her off ? If you are taking her off then i suggest you stop & let her go. Another thing may be is that she is getting cranky on the second breast because it hasnt had a let down & wants the milk now. I would advise you pop her back onto the original boob not only to see how she goes but it also means she will get more hindmilk which is better for her.

I also suggest like the other ladies to get a lactation consultant to have a look at how things are going etc as it could be something as simple as incorrect attachment. Also get in contact with the ABA cause they can help you with some great advice & there may even be a support group in your area !

[aardvark]

I'd persevere with the boob.

Is it always the one side? If it is, it could be that bub has a sore neck or such from birth. A trip to a chiro who specialises in babies might be worthwhile, or maybe an osteopath. I have heard of much success from either treatment in this regard.

Also if it is just the one side which is always refused, try a different position - maybe twin style on one boob and across your body on the other. Experiment and see what works. You might have a really fast let down and laying down to feed may slow the flow.

The ABA have some good literature for breast refusal.

Breast refusal is not uncommon, but you can work through it. My DS went through a phase of breast refusal at about 4 months. I managed to get through it because he was quite happy to feed, but only if we were laying on the bed. This went on for about a week. He's coming up to 2 y.o. now and still a committed boob bub.

[dragonflyblu]

I second the idea of staying on the one boob. And also contact the ABA for advice. I would also advise against the bottle top-up. It is stressful to hear bubs crying but if you can get over these breast 'fussiness' stages then bfing just gets easier, also you need bubs to feed from you so your supply matches her need.

[Sheer Bliss]

I'd persevere with the boob.

Is it always the one side? If it is, it could be that bub has a sore neck or such from birth. A trip to a chiro who specialises in babies might be worthwhile, or maybe an osteopath. I have heard of much success from either treatment in this regard.

Also if it is just the one side which is always refused, try a different position - maybe twin style on one boob and across your body on the other. Experiment and see what works. You might have a really fast let down and laying down to feed may slow the flow.

The ABA have some good literature for breast refusal.

Breast refusal is not uncommon, but you can work through it. My DS went through a phase of breast refusal at about 4 months. I managed to get through it because he was quite happy to feed, but only if we were laying on the bed. This went on for about a week. He's coming up to 2 y.o. now and still a committed boob bub.

:iagree: DS had issues with his neck, and although he didn't totally refuse one side, he wasn't on it for long. We have ben seeing a chiropractor now for a couple of months, and he feeds on both sides no problems.

We also went through breast refusal at around 4-5months and I spnt a week or so standing up to feed :hair: as it was the only way he'd latch on and keep sucking. We went to a local b/f support group run by the local CHN with a few lactation consultants - best thing i ever did. Even though i was b/f for the second time, we had become lazy and his positioning wasn't that great, once we corrected that, it helped immensely with the speed of let-down, and now i don't have to stand to feed.

Seek help from the ABA and/or a lactation consultant. These things can usually be resolved with the outside perspective from a proffessional.

[ziggie]

Get in touch with the ABA... They're fantastic. They also have a section on breast refusal on their website.

If it was me, I'd stay right away from formula and bottles. Your bub may drink from the bottle because it's easier than drawing milk from a boob.... But I'm no expert :D.

The ABA have helped me enormously, so I'd get on to them.

Best of luck :hugs:.

[twitch]

I agree, I wouldn't go offering bottles of EBM or formula until you've seen or spoken to someone like the ABA. It helps to get someone else's take on these things. I also agree with the chiropractor suggestion. I took DD when she was smaller as she would only sleep on one side. She just had a tiny thing not quite aligned in her neck and since then she's been shmicko. Good luck.

[the_queen]

Hi guys

Bub is 6 weeks old, and has been feeding well for about 10 mins on one breast, then when I burp her or she is put on the other, she refuses to eat further, she screams in hunger and tries desperately to find milk (which i seem to have if i sqeeze the boob), but she just doesnt want the breast anymore.... the wierd thing is she then will happily drink another 100ml from a bottle...

why would she stop halfway after feeding???
she usually latches on so well.. so dont know why she is doing this?? is she trying to tell me that she no longer wants my breast and prefers a bottle??

should i express and feed her in bottles from now on?
:hugs: :hugs: :hugs: Throw all bottles away, have a nice warm bath with bubby and then both of you hop into bed, offer the boob constantly and when she is feeding, do not take her off the breast until she comes off by herself. If your nipples hurt too much to do this, then get some advice from a Lactation Consultant in regards to attachment. It's normal to have some initial attachment tenderness (pain :hissy:) but it shouldn't last the whole feed. Just drink lots of water, cuddle and snuggle with that baby all day and all night, go topless and let her smell, lick, and nibble on those nipples.
Perservering now will absolutely be worth it in the long run. I promise this will pass and one of these days it will all just fall into place for you. Breastfeeding is instinctive but also a learned skill and if she keeps getting a bottle, she will not learn how to breastfeed properly. Call the ABA now - if you don't have the number, please PM me with your location and I will give you the number.

:hugs: :hugs:

[the_queen]

I also agree with the chiropractor suggestion.

I also also agree with the chiro suggestion :yes: :yes:

[KatieKitten]

thanks gals,, all your suggestions are FABO and i will perservere with the breast.
i will see chiro because she only sleeps on one side, so she may have prob..

also she isnt attaching a whole lot so I will think about seeing a lactation consultant. she just had a really good feed (tried a different position) so :yelclap:its going to et better... ill call ABA as well

thanks gals!

[benjamonkey]

I would get rid of bottles all together. They can cause problems in the early days. She sounds like she wants it instantly and does not want to work for it. That can be a consequence of the bottle. Hope it works out for you

[the_queen]

Oh Katie :hugs: That sounds really good and you sound so much happier and relaxed than in your first couple of posts. :hugs: :hugs: I am so happy for you that she had a good feed. :hugs: :hugs:

Check out the "Celebrate Breastfeeding" section here in bubhub, there are lots of inspirational women there and loads and loads of great idea's, tips and suggestions . :hugs:

[manxgirl77]

Good on you for sticking with it. I've had some pretty bad breast refusal issues with my little bloke, but things are much better now, I'm so glad I perservered. The two things that worked for me was changing positions to laying down firstly, I found when Nick refused, he would roll away rather than arch his back and throw a real little tanty in my arms. Its just not so traumatic, the other one was expressing off a little bit. I have a fast side and slow side, he hates the fast side when its really full. I usually express off a bit before I offer him that side and he takes it much more willingly. You have to be a bit careful though cause this can increase your supply. I deal with this by expressing off a bit on that side daily now, I use the excess for mixing with farax now he has started solids, but for me I decided I would rather do this each day than give up breastfeeding. Good luck with it.:)