Help! My 3 Month old won't Nurse! Any suggestions?

Question

My 3 month old daughter had been nursing like a pro until about a week ago, and now all she wants is the bottle. She will drink breast milk or formula out of it, but turns her head and cries terribly when i put her to the breast. I was thinking to try breast shields??? because she acts like she can't find my nipple.

Answer 1

Don't listen to those dummies telling you to stop nursing!!!! It's either nipple confusion like some other people said, or a nursing strike. Nursing strikes are very hard on mommies, my daughter had a ten-day strike at ten months old and we got through it. The best way to try is when she is sleeping or very drowsy, this is how I got my daughter back to the breast. Also try a lot of skin-to-skin contact and co-sleeping. Here are some links that helped me out. I also talked with a lactation consultant and a La Leche League leader, they were both a great help to me.
If you need any other help or support you can email me, I belong to a great online group who could help you too.

http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBstrikes.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html

Answer 2

I had this problem with my babies. My son was a stubborn little fellow and from the very first time did no want to nurse. I tried desparately, but it just did not work out. Plus the fact that I had Mastitis infections 5 times and was unable to nurse him properly because of medications I was on. I had to pump and dump! With my little girl it was a little different. I started with Mastitis right off the bat and so made the decision to dry up. I was on medication to do this so she too could not have my milk. But by 2 months later, I still had a great supply of milk! I thought, well maybe I am meant to give this a try. I went off the medicine and a week later put her on my breast. To my amazement she loved it! But I did have some problems with her wanting to eat her whole meal and doing it every time. I went to my local Lactation Nurse through my health insurance (Kaiser Permanente) for some help. It costs nothing and it was really helpful. Also the La Leche League in your area can help you find a Lactation Specialist to come to your home! I did that with my son and it was so nice to be in the comfort of my own home.

I strongly suggest not using nipple shields. It causes more nipple confusion. There is another useful tool. It is a thin plastic tubing that you tape to your breast and the other end is attached to a syringe full of your breast milk. You attach the baby to your nipple(stuff the whole areola and nipple with the little tube on it into the mouth) and when the baby starts sucking, gently squeeze a little bit of the milk into the mouth. You will be amazed how quickly this method worked to me.

Definately get some hands on help. Don't give up! If I can get a two month old who had only been on bottles to nurse like she had never been off the breast, then anyone can do this! Try so be as calm and comfortable while doing this. Babies can sense if you are stressed and they won't nurse. I hope this helps a little!

Answer 3

It sounds like she is developing nipple confusion or a bottle preference. How often was she getting bottles before this started?

The bottle and breast work very differently. With a bottle, you stick it in their mouth and the milk just drips out. They don't have to work to get their food. Instead, they must work to STOP the flow. At the breast, nothing comes unless they suck. They have to work to get the milk. She may be showing a bottle preference because of this. Can you cut out bottles or do you need her to have a bottle because of working or school or something?

Don't try nipple shields if she was nursing fine before without them before. Don't add more "equipment" to the situation. Nipple shields are for flat or inverted nipples.

Try pumping your breasts for just a couple of minutes before you try to nurse her. This will draw out your nipples and also let you have a let down for the pump. This way she'll have a faster reward at the breast since she won't have to wait for the letdown.

Someone mentioned the antibodies...YES the first few weeks as the "most important" but they don't just get antibodies in those first weeks as the post implied. They get ALL the benefits of breastfeeding as long as they are nursing...it's not "just what they eat" because the immune factors are ALWAYS there and the milk changes from day to day, hour to hour to meet their needs. For example, if they are exposed to a germ and then nurse, your breast immediately picks up on that and beings to make the anitbodies to fight what they were exposed to. This goes on the ENTIRE TIME that you nurse, not just the first few weeks.

Answer 4

It's called nipple confusion. It is more common during baby's first 2 months, but it can happen at any age.

If you really want to nurse her, then the easiest way to get over it is to stop using *all* artificial nipples (bottles and pacifiers). If she won't nurse even if a bottle isn't an option, use a cup until she is back to nursing. You can use a sippy cup, a cup with a drinking straw, or cup feed her the way you would a newborn. It's probably easiest to try the straw first. Many breastfed babies get it instinctively.

For information on cup feeding, see sources section below.

1-2 full days with no artificial nipples will usually lead to a return of the breastfeeding instinct. Offer to nurse once or twice a day (especially when baby is tired or even asleep), but if she really fights it, stop offering and wait a full day before trying again.

Do not use a breast shield. It is a *medical* device, and should only *ever* be given by an expert who spends a significant amount of time with you showing you how to use it and schedules a follow-up visit to help you *eliminate* its use later on. Its proper use is primarily for newborns, especially very small babies. It is also an artificial nipple and can make your situation worse and will probably lead to weaning.

Answer 5

If you kind of hold your breast so the nipple sticks out more that might help. Dont give her the bottle until you want her weaned because that just makes it harder for her to figure out your breast. A bottle is eaiser for them to get food from but otherwise a far second to the breast. A drop of corn syrup on your nipple might help. Keep at it and don't let anyone discourage you. Hospitals often have lactation ladies that will help over the phone or if you come by.

Answer 6

Breast shields are to protect the mother from having tender nipples. They won't help your baby to nurse better. Babies will offen prefer a bottle because it is much less work. If you intend on breastfeeding I would cut out the bottle for now. She may fuss at first, but she will not starve herself either. If she is only offered the breast, eventually she will take it. Hope this helps and God Bless

Answer 7

I used breast shields with much success with my kids. But after the first 2 months, I stopped breast milk altogether and went to formula/bottle. (the first few weeks is the most important part of breastfeeding-they get all the antibodies. After that, it's basically just what you eat..) I know some moms think breast feeding is best because of 'bonding', but you can bond just as well with a bottle. Snuggle her up next to you, put her cheek on your chest, and feed her with the bottle. It's just as bonding as breastfeeding, and a lot less painful!! :)

Answer 8

that's why you should hold off on the bottles and pacifiers.......they get nipple confusion.

Contact a lactation consultant...they usually know tricks to get the baby back on track.....you can find one in your area on LeLeacheleague.com or whatever (you know what im talking about.)

And please dont give up, too many moms do, thinking OH WELL, but you should know the bennefits of breastfeeding. And for those people who said "Oh just give up and feed her formula, she already got all the antibodies from you." They are idiots.....the longer you breastfeed, the healthier your baby will be.
You'd regret breast shields....not good, maybe try to really get your nipple in her mouth, so that she knows it's in there.

Answer 9

The same thing happened with my little guy. We tried the breast shield but I still felt like he had/was rejecting me. I ended up doing the pump for another 6 months and the peds said that was good enough. I replaced my special nursing time with other one on one time. I started with lotion time, I would sing quietly as I put lotion all over him. Then it moved from there but I made sure it was one on one nobody else. That will make this transition feel a lot better.

Answer 10

You can try a breast shield. I heard those really work. SHe does need the nutrients from your body and don't let anyone tell you stop breastfeeding. Doctors say you should breast feed for the first year.