Help baby won't feed from breast....

[4OnEarth1InHeaven]

My DS4 is 11 weeks old and will not feed from the breast he is hungry, but every time the breast comes near him he screams bloody murder, i managed to express 40ml and he drank that from a bottle (first bottle ever) but thats not enough to keep him going, what should i do?

[MUMSIEOF2]

the Australian breastfeeding Association should be able to help you they have phone numbers on their website www.breastfeeding.asn.au (http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au)
I always found if i was getting stressed that i would call them and they were great.

[UmmInayah]

have you changed soap, shampoo, deodorant, perfume etc lately? eaten anything different with stronger smells like garlic etc? are you due for your period?

there are a few reasons why bub is refusing the breast. maybe try a dreamfeed tonight if you can.. and keep persisting.. it might also be cos bub doesn't like the slower flow, so try to express a little and then latch bub on just before you let down.. also you might be able to do a quick switch of him back on to the breast.. give him the bottle and then take him off and quickly put in your boob.

it's frustrating when things like this happen, but it will come right soon.. :hugs:

[4OnEarth1InHeaven]

have you changed soap, shampoo, deodorant, perfume etc lately? eaten anything different with stronger smells like garlic etc? are you due for your period?

there are a few reasons why bub is refusing the breast. maybe try a dreamfeed tonight if you can.. and keep persisting.. it might also be cos bub doesn't like the slower flow, so try to express a little and then latch bub on just before you let down.. also you might be able to do a quick switch of him back on to the breast.. give him the bottle and then take him off and quickly put in your boob.

it's frustrating when things like this happen, but it will come right soon.. :hugs:

Havn't changed smells or eaten anything strange.
I tried getting him to sleep then slipping breast in but as soon as it comes near him he screams abd arches away from it. Also tried expressing until i let down, and quickly switching from bottle to breast.

I just can't think of any reason for it, its like he just doesn't like my breasts anymore, he has been getting fussier and fussier.


the Australian breastfeeding Association should be able to help you they have phone numbers on their website www.breastfeeding.asn.au (http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au)
I always found if i was getting stressed that i would call them and they were great.

Called them and they suggested all of the above.

[UmmInayah]

could you be pregnant?

whenever i got my period, bub would be so unsettled and she would refuse feeds.. so much so that she didn't even want to feed to sleep. so maybe it's that?

teething maybe? sore throat.. feeling ill?

sorry, i really hope it sorts itself out for you soon.

[4OnEarth1InHeaven]

Jeepers i doubt i could be pregnant! We have DTD but hubby did put protection on not straight away, but very slim chance of that isnt there?

Well i have thought i was getting my period for the last couple of weeks and have heard it changes your milk but he takes it from a bottle?

I thought about teething too, can't see any moving not that that means anything. He doesn't seem sick arghhh just drives me nuts.

Well i have expressed enough for his next feed if he won't take breast. See how we go i guess. Thanks so much for listening

[Tegan15]

I know this doesn't help but every time you give him a bottle it's going to be that little bit harder to get him to breast feed again. I would try and cup, spoon, syringe or supply line before the bottle.
Could you be ovulating?
Do you have a fast let down or a slow one?
Have you tried different positions?
Could he be finding the position uncomfrotable? Maybe a trip to a chiro will help?

[BabyPaparazzi]

Are you certain he is hungry? Both mine have always cracked patties when I tried to feed them and they arent hungry just really overtired.

Could either of you possibly have thrush, it can make them irritable to feed.

[trixiebelle17]

or another option... r u engorged? DS generally refuses boob if i'm engorged (bit of a catch 22 as it only makes things worse)...

or like bel said perhaps he just isnt hungry

[Mrs Nietzsche]

The reason for this is generally teething, period coming or pregnant.

Just keep offering - *especially* when your baby is tired and relaxed. Try lying down - I find this works.

They won't let themselves starve. I would be wary about the bottle, it tends to reinforce breast refusal.

[4OnEarth1InHeaven]

Thanks everyone, i do keep trying sometimes he'll take breast and be fussy with it, other times he just screams.
My period could be coming who knows i think its playing tricks with me. But if it was that, wouldn't he refuse breastfeed from bottle aswell?
I'm going to see a LC tomorrow, so see if she can shed anymore light on the situation.

[Teegzie]

I know this doesn't help but every time you give him a bottle it's going to be that little bit harder to get him to breast feed again. I would try and cup, spoon, syringe or supply line before the bottle.


That's what I'd opt for if he keeps refusing the breast. Keeping EBM feeds as different from breast feeds, at least until you've got in to see the LC, will help prevent confusion for him. With DD I used a syringe and spoon until I'd managed to be seen by an LC. Also just keep doing what you're doing and offering the breast as often as you can. :)

:fingerscrossed: the LC can shed some light on the situation and get the two of you back on track!

[Tam-I-Am]

Breast refusal is so freaking heartbreaking and hard! I really empathise with you - I went through it with my DD at around 12 weeks of age and it lasted for about 3 weeks, although got progressively better as the 3 weeks went on.

The reason for it for me was that I'd had surgery and she objected to the taste of the GA.

I used to 'trick' me daughter into drinking from the breast - ie give her her dummy and then quickly slip it out and slip in my nipple. It worked with varying degrees of success. Dreamfeeds were more successful, and I could occasionally get her to feed well from me when I changes location (ie fed her in the bath, or outside etc).

The thing is you need support, and you need to persevere - he WILL come back to the breast given enough time.

I would also consider getting him checked out for silent reflux - the screaming and arching of the back are pretty common features, and if that's the case you could try cutting out dairy and/or gluten from your diet. MOST people with fussy/unsettled babies seem to see an improvement when they cut out dairy, in particular.

Good luck :hugs:

[4OnEarth1InHeaven]

I've tried the slipping dummy out and nipple in, and the dreamfeed.

But i will try cutting out Gluten and Dairy. Hadn't tried that one.

Going to see the LC tomorrow hopefully so i will ask about the silent reflux too.

[Tegan15]

Just be aware that if you cut out things in your diet like diary it can take up to 6 weeks for you to see if it's really making a difference.

[4OnEarth1InHeaven]

ok thank you i'll keep that in mind. :)