why wont my baby latch on?

Question

my son in a week old and he just wont latch on. i have lots of milk but i have to pump it. i want to be able to bond with my baby by breastfeeding him. he has jaundice, can that be the case.

Answer 1

It's great that you want to breast feed, but you will bond with your baby regardless of how he is fed. Just keep looking into those sweet eyes and you'll see the bond grow! Normally jaundice isn't anything to worry about in newborns, it will go away in about a week or two, but if this isn't a normal case of jaundice, then it may be affecting him latching on. If I were you, I'd call my pediatrician right away and talk with him/her. If there is nothing wrong with your son, then your mind will be eased, but if there is, the doctor's can get him the help right away.
Blessings to you and your little one!

Answer 2

Call La Leche League or the lactation consultant at the hospital.

Every new mom has to learn how to nurse, and then learn how to do it all over again with each new baby.

My second child had a devil of a time learning to latch. I thought I had her positioned correctly--after all, I nursed my first child for more than a year--but it turned out that I didn't. The baby's belly needs to be against your belly, with his legs wrapped around your side and his face turned in to the breast, not slightly up, toward you. And that was not a position my daughter found natural, so a few lessons (and a few pillows) were required to get us in the swing of things.

A few pointers from a pro can be SO helpful, even if you feel silly asking.

And, no, jaundice shouldn't be related.

Answer 3

Jaundice is not caused by lack of breast milk. I was breast feeding and I had to put my son on formula 2-3 times a day because he was Jaundice. It might be because your areola ( the dark skin around your nipple) or your nipples are too small for him to latch on. Just keep trying. Sometimes after a baby has been bottle fed for a while they won't go back to breast.

Answer 4

2 out of my 4 kids had trouble latching on. 1 of the ones who had trouble had jaundice, although I don't think that was related. I think it just comes more naturally to some for some reason. Just hang in there - all of mine got the hang of it eventually. It makes for a stressful couple of weeks, but it is worth it!

I'm sure you've probably been given lots of advice on how to get him to latch on. For me I think expressing a few drops so that the baby can get a taste while in the nursing position helped. That way they learn how to direct their rooting instincts to get more. Still, it can be frustrating. (And painful and messy since your milk is probably letting down big time at this point!)

Hang in there!

Answer 5

Can you find IBCLC or La Leche leader near you? The hand on help will be the most effective. you can look at http://www.lalecheleague.org and http://www.kellymom.com to search for the nearest leader or IBCLC

I think that Dr. Newman's handouts will be interesting to you
http://www.bflrc.com/newman/articles.htm
there is handout 26 "When the Baby Refuses to Latch On"
Dr Newman writes in his books that nearly all babies eventually latch on if mom has a good supply (brought up by pumping) and keeps to have baby skin to skin and gently offers him breast. Jaundiced babies can be sleepy. It is good that you providing your pumped milk to him, pumping protects your supply while you are figuring how to latch your baby on.

Answer 6

Maybe its the postion you are holding him... have your tried (1) laying beside him.. (2) craddle him like a football... (3) not to be too funny, but your breast could be too big for him... you can still bond w/your child.. As far as jaundice is concerned... keep the little one by a window so they can get the sun light on their skin.. Jaundice has nothing to do w/latching on for nursing... Good luck

Answer 7

What hold are you using ? Try the football hold if you're using the cross cradle hold. Whatever hold your using, line his nose to your nipple, belly to belly (if using the cradle hold) side to side if your using the football hold, tickle his lips to encourage him to open real wide, and when he does plop the baby into your breast. Most mistakes are done when you try to bring your breast to the baby, when you pretty much have to push his face into you. Express some milk on your nipple, and hold your breast in a c. But don't put him on until that mouth is nice and wide. It will take a couple weeks to get the swing of things, but soon enough you won't even have to think about it, and you'll be so happy you stuck it out. Don't let that milk go to waste !
Congrats.

Answer 8

Have you tried using a nipple shield? My son had a tough time latching on and the nurses at the hospital gave me some before we checked out of the hospital. It helps to bring your nipples out more and for the first few weeks, I needed the shields. Also, try to get as much of your nipple, areola, and breast into baby's mouth as possible.

Hope that helps!

Mari

Answer 9

some babies have a hard time. Stimulate your nipple and get milk on it so he can taste it. Hold your breast with two fingers and put it in his mouth. Be patient and don't get frustrated. Some babies don't ever breast feed. for the jaundice place him in front of a window where there is sunlight.

Answer 10

he may just be stubborn.

Try:

-Holding him close for a while, eventually, if he's hungry enough, he'll latch on.

-Also, take some pumped milk and tab it on. He will recognise the taste and hopefully :) latch on.

My mother had trouble with my younger sister, who wasn't weaned until she was four years old!

Take care.