baby having problems in latching on?

Question

just given birth to a little boy, he was born 2 weeks early and weighed just 5.4. i didnt get to put him on the breast after he was born, as he was taken up to special care cus he had low blood sugar. now trying to put him on the breast, but he seems to be falling off, getting very frustrated, kicking me and crying or falling asleep on the breast. I have tried different postions, but still cant get him to go on. Having to give him a bottle with a NUK teat to feed him.
Has anyone also had the same problem? any advice or hints/tips?

Answer 1

You need to see a breastfeeding counsellor asap. Check out http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk for details of how to get help.
It's not too late so please don't despair!

Answer 2

The same thing happened to me, my boy was born 6 weeks early and was taken to the Special Care Nursery almost straight away. He was over a week old before I got to try breastfeeding him and I went through all the things you are going through. After a month of trying to get him to feed from the breast he still wasn't taking to it and it was then the nurses suggesting putting him on the bottle as they thought (and I thought this as well) if he hasn't latched on by now he probably wasn't going to. Him not taking to breastfeeding was the only thing keeping him in hospital. So from then on he was bottle fed with expressed milk, he took to is straight away and we got to bring him home 2 days later.

My advice is to keep trying breastfeeding for a little while longer (or as long as you want to) and don't let anyone pressure you into continuing breastfeeding if you feel it is not working out for you and your baby. I agree that 'Breast is Best' but in some cases it just doesn't work out. Also seek advice from a lactation consultant they might be able to help you.

Answer 3

Try to not give your baby a bottle with any kind of nipple or a pacifier, this causes nipple confusion. If you really need to supplement try using a medicine cup or dropper. There is a way to supplement with a syringe with a very thin tube while your baby is latched on. Also, try to pump for a couple of minutes before latching your baby on to the breast so that your milk is already flowing. Wake your little one when he falls asleep, try to gently tickle the bottle of his foot or rub your finger along his jaw line and cheek. Also, get in touch with your local la leche league, or a lactation consultant. Any friends and family members who have breast fed their baby are very use full friends to have. Build yourself a good support group of breast feeding women. If this is important to you be persistant, keep trying. It is very frustrating and difficult but stick with it, babies have to learn how to breast feed just like you do. Good luck!

Answer 4

i have a 7 week old son and i too had so many problems.. he wouldnt latch, he got stressed, he would only latch for a little bit.. so i been expressing aswell and feeding by bottle.. well it has now been noticed he has tongue tie! which means the flap of skin under his tongue is too tight and he cant suck properly! i had so many midwives and like trying to help me latch him on and they all said he was lazy! he wasnt he just couldnt do it.. we now paying for it to be sorted privatly cos it such a small procedure and i need ot get him to latch on soon as my milk is depleating now!
also he has always taken down alot of wind cos he not been sucking properly..
so i urge u to ask someone about tongue tie.. a baby should latch on by day 8.. if not ur midwife should be checking all possibilities as to why he wont latch such as medical reasons..
i was not happy no one had checked my son nd it wasnt his fault!
oh and as for this whole nipple confusion thing if u use a bottle.. well i have used a bottle and a dummy and he has no problem with latching onto my breast now, it just he cant do it for long.. but he has to realise it not a bottle and he has to suck harder but he always does no problem.. and he also spent weeks 3-5 not latching at all but he still will now.. so dont worry to much if u have to use a bottle.. babies are clever little things they just need reminding and a push sometimes

Answer 5

Have you tried using a nipple shield? I had a similar problem with my 1st as he seemed to be lookng for something larger then I had lol

Nipple shields did the trick for me, although I dod discover that some midwives don't like them. But from my point of view, if it's the difference between breast feeding or not I'd use the shields everytime!

I think you can buy them from boots or mothercare.

Good luck :o)

Answer 6

i had a few problems with my daughter when i was feeding her, she has to be taken away from me as soon as i had her to a special care unit, and i found it really difficult to breast feed her. in the end i expressed milk in to a bottle with a natural shaped teat witch you can only get from boots they are made from latex and they are a weird shape but this was the only teat she would drink form, if you don't feel that your baby is having enough milk, you have have to go back in to hospital and they will help you to feed.

Answer 7

I had 8 nurses and a professional attempt to get my infant to latch on on the scientific institution and ultimately they despatched me domicile with a nipple shield. it particularly is a huge, pretend nipple that is going over yours and is as awkward to apply and it sounds, style of like the pretend boob from meet the fockers. while she grew to become right into a pair of month and a a million/2 we observed yet another breastfeeding representative/miracle worker. She informed me to faux my breast grew to become into an incredible great club sandwich and to "flatten the sandwich" so it might slot in the infant's mouth. i might could carry it flat for the 1st 10 minutes and on occasion in the process the entire feeding whether it worked. it may be because of the fact she grew to become into used to breastfeeding (a minimum of with the shield), her age, or because of the fact I had a sparkling image of why and the thank you to squish my boob yet we under no circumstances had yet another concern or used the shield back after this appointment and due to this i'm sharing this. yet while your infant's latching on for 10 minutes at a time she could in basic terms be finished considering the fact that she's so little and does not require lots. attempt offering her some expressed milk genuine after breastfeeding to verify if she's nevertheless hungry. She could in basic terms like eating in user-friendly terms a splash very often this is meant to help your physique create extra milk. sturdy success!

Answer 8

Try expressing a small amount and rubbing it onto you nipple giving your son a taste and knowing that he will get what he needs there too not just a bottle.
Most important is to relax babies can sense tension and i can effect the process of breast feeding

Answer 9

Call the lactation department of the hospital you delivered in. You can get free breastfeeding support... right there in their office, privately. They have no limits on how many visits you can make, and they will help you out! Call right away.. they are there 7 days a week.... But don't wait! You need to get going so you don't compromise your milk supply!!

Answer 10

I know what you are going through. My best advice would be to RELAX. Your baby can sense your frustration and it is upsetting to him. The hold that worked best for me was the football hold. I would put a pillow underneath him and cradle his head. Make sure that you tease him to get his mouth open, and when his mouth is wide pull him to you and make sure that you get your nipple far enough in. I know it's frustrating and believe me, I've been there, but he will catch on! Good luck and congrats on the new baby!

Answer 11

I would advise you to contact La Leche League. They have lactation consultants and lots of mums with loads of breastfeeding experience to help you. Visit and select the country you are in:
http://www.lalecheleague.org/ab.html?m=1