need help! I am using breast pump 4 my son & I want him to nurse insted?

Question

I am pumping my breasts for my son he was a preemie, and in the hospital's n.i.c.u. and we would bring the pumped milk to him. he's home now, he's been home for three weeks. and now I would like to nurse him insted. I have been pumping ever since he was born.. he does nurese but only once a day. I am so sick of using the breast pump..

thanks

Answer 1

Same thing happened to my wife. Glad to hear the baby is out of nicu. The babys will try to use whatever is easiest for them, unfortunately milk from the bottle comes out easier and with less effort than it does from the breast. make sure the child is latching on properly. I am sure you are already doing that. secondly if you talk to the hospital or social worker of the hospital they can give you a contraption that helps the baby to get attached to getting breast milk straight from the breast. it consists of 2 mini hollow tubes atached near the nipple with tape. The other end is connected to a milk bottle so that when the baby tries to nurse, then it gets it from the breast and from the bottle at the same time without much work. it is a pain iun the neck to do but after awhile the baby will go straight to the breast without ever wanting the bottle.

good luck, we've been there.

Answer 2

First of all, call a local La Leche League Leader (see sources section below). You need *expert* help, and they are the best--plus it's *free* (although offer to make a donation if you appreciate the help and can afford it).

Try to nurse frequently. Offer the breast *before* he would normally want to eat so that he's not ravenously hungry. A really hungry baby isn't in the mood to learn a new skill!!

Eliminate all artificial nipples (bottles, pacifiers, and nipple shields); they will only confuse him about how to nurse correctly. Progressive hospitals around the world *don't* use bottles because they interfere with proper nursing. Until he is fully breastfed, syringe feed instead. Buy a syringe (any size, but the larger, the less often you have to refill). No needle (obviously, but always worth stating).

Fill the syringe with pumped milk. Hold the syringe near the corner of baby's mouth. Drip milk into his mouth to encourage him to continue nursing.

Nurse him at least every 2 hours (timed from the beginning of one feeding to the beginning of the next) during the day and at least twice at night. (If he is willing to nurse, don't bother with the syringe at night; it's not worth the trouble.) At each feeding, get him to nurse as long as possible at the first breast, then as long as possible on the second one.

It *is* possible to get a baby back to nursing. If you're pumping his entire food supply, he could be fully nursing in just a few days; otherwise, it will probably take longer until your supply catches up. Either way, be in touch with a local LLL Leader. You need *ongoing* help and support. Good luck!!

Answer 3

Stick with it. Its great that your still committed to giving your son breast milk even if it hasn't been easy. You should put him to the breast before you pump, every time. The more you give him the chance to nurse the better. He just has to get readjusted to your nipple after being on the bottle. Contact the La Leache League, they can help you and put you in contact with a local lactation consultant. Again, you're doing the right thing, don't give up.

Answer 4

Do you have a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or a La Leche League Leader near you who can work with you one on one to get your son nursing from the breast?

Have you tried giving him just a small amount of expressed milk to take the edge off his hunger and THEN latching him on?

Have you tried pumping first to get the flow going (just a couple of minutes) and then latching him on? He's used to a quick reward from the bottle.

Have you tried using nipple shields? (Don't do this without the help of a LC or LLL Leader if possible, so they can then work you through weaning from the shield.)

Answer 5

Always introduce breast before bottle. Be consistent! Offer breast often. I also suggest having a visit with a breastfeeding counselor maybe from your local public health centre or contact La Leche League. Do not give up! Breast feeding is best for babe and you and is so rewarding.

Answer 6

try to put him to the breast for every feeding and let him get used to the breast. It should take awhile but he should just pick it up. If not then pumping is the only method.


good luck

Answer 7

just always try to breast feed first and if he wont accept it then pump. But everytime try to breast feed and he will probably get used to it.

Answer 8

Make an appointment for a breastfeeding clinic at your hospital. They are very helpful.