Breastfeeding vs Expressing?

Question

My son is 17 days old and since my milk came in he refuses to take the breast...he did nurse the 1st 24 hrs. I have been expressing, this works for me because my husband can feed the baby also. However, I have several people...two being Dr's pressuring me to force the baby to nurse. I know he can be trained but isnt it possible he just doesnt like it ? He had a 10% weight loss before I started to express..since moving to a bottle he has gained all the weight back plus. Should I stick with what works ?

He was not given a bottle or pacifier until his 4th day...my milk came in on the 2nd day..he will latch on and can get milk Ican hear him swallow he just starts screaming and refuses to eat. He does like to watch everything around him thought maybe not being able to move his head around might have somethinh to do with it ?

Answer 1

It will be difficult to keep up your supply this way.
Keep trying to put your child to the breast.

Answer 2

Your baby has problems latching on. You need to contact a lactation consultant as soon as possible.

The reason your doctor is pressuring you to nurse is that breastmilk is the best possible food for your baby, it was designed throughout the centuries to specifically feed YOUR baby. Formula cannot hold a candle to breastmilk, it is inferior in every possible way. Formula is made from cow milk, which was produced to feed baby cows, not human babies.

All babies lose weight in the first weeks. The key is that the baby should be back at their birth weight by their 2 week appointment, if the baby isn't, there's something wrong with your breastfeeding technique. You can always pump, but your baby is more efficient at getting the milk out.

Contrary to popular opinion, breastfeeding is something that BOTH of you have to learn. There are people out there that can help you. I had a hard time with my first baby, but I stuck with it. I got help from lactation consultants and reading books like The Nursing Mother's Companion Guide. It got a lot easier after a couple weeks.

Please, please contact a lactation consultant. You can find one through your local hospital and talking to one over the phone is free. Your local La Leche League (search it online) can also help you. Breastfeeding is not only the cheapest way to feed your baby, it's the best possible way. Get some help, you will be so glad you did.

Answer 3

You should see a lactation consultant. They can help you through the transition and they will make sure you both get it. I tried pumping exclusively but it was a disaster. I'm not a boob nazi trying to boss you around, I'm just a mother with an expensive breast pump giving you my account of the experience. You have to pump at night, too. Even after the baby is sleeping through the night you still have to be up with the machine, ughhhh. I got so tired of it and it was SO not practical. To top it off, I lost my milk supply even though I was pumping every three hours around the clock. I was totally devastated and I would never make that choice again. I wish I had listened but I didn't want to struggle with my son when he was hungry. In the future I am going to stick with the boobies until the bebe gets it.

Also, I never thought I would be one of those people who thinks of breastfeeding as bonding because I was still in that mindset that boobs have become something sexual. However, I really wish I could roll over and nurse him instead of making bottles with one hand while he cries in the other . I want to be able to cuddle more while I feed him than having to make up for it all the rest of the day. It also sucks having to bring a little cooler with chilled breastmilk in it and have to feed the baby cold every time you go hiking, or really go anywhere. It's so much better to just have it ready to go. You don't have to listen to the hungry baby waiting while you pump.... The crying is unbearable, I feel so guilty that I can't just whip out the food. I do not want to pump at night, either!!! Pumping sucks soooo bad, and a new mom does not need all that stress. Breastfeeding gets easier but pumping only gets harder. Much harder. Soon he will be more active and you'll never be able to get on that pump and you'll start coming up short as he grows. Good luck, I hope I helped and I hope everything gets better for you two!! Hang in there!

Answer 4

I would suggest talking to a Lactation Consultant. You could contact La Leche League or your hospital for recommendations.

Since you baby only had the breast in the first day or so,the breast feeding could have been sabotaged due to the bottle being introduced at such a critical time in the nursing relationship. At least you are expressing and the baby is getting mother's milk instead of formula.

But I wonder why you chose to breast feed when what works for you is to have your husband feed the baby as well. Choosing to breast feed means the momma feeds the baby all the time. Its a sacrifice that is worth the time and effort. Maybe you just weren't completely 100% committed to breastfeeding, because in my experience in order to make it work, you have to be. Even though you had good intentions of being a breast feeding Mom, due to the circumstances, if expressing your milk and bottle feeding works for you, keep at it.

Good luck.

Answer 5

The problem with exclusivly pumping is that it can be hard to keep an adequate supply, because it's hard to mimic growth spurts. It can be really frusterating for some moms, and you are more likely to give up and switch to formula (pumping is like doing everything twice, im sure you know!)

I would say stick with what you are doing and try to latch him as often as you can. Don't force him, but just try. Alot of babies pick up latching after 4-8 weeks.

Was he given a bottle or a paci on that second day?

Answer 6

My baby breastfed for three days and then completely refused. It was devastating. I worked with a lactation consultant, who was brilliant. she used a supply line attached to my breast filled with milk and after a few minutes of crying (and I mean angry crying) she latched on and drank. My consultant told me that because my breasts got so engorged it blocked the milk and my baby thought there wasnt any there so she refused it. With a little bit of retraining she realised food was there and now she will only breastfeed.

It is not that your baby doesn't like you. You are all your baby has in this world. Only you know what is right for you. If you don't want to try..don't.

Also babies commonly lose 10% of their bodyweight within the first week of life.

I believe you would really enjoy it if he did learn to feed, but it is totally ok not to as well. Do what works for you. But if you do decide to try and it works, well you always have portable food, that is at the right temp and no steralising needed.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Answer 7

Breastfeeding is a personal choice. If you really want to breastfeed then I'd say give it a steady try for at least 2 weeks. Don't ever feel pressured...you're the mommy, do what works for you. Typically all babies lose weight the first week because they are waiting for mothers milk to come in. Maybe your baby just got used to the bottle. It happens. My son didn't want a bottle. Its two different ways of living... do what you feel is best...educate yourself on both and then go for it.

Answer 8

I had the exact same problem with my son.I pumped exclusively for 2 months. Everyone looked at me like I was an idiot. But it's better then a screaming crying hungry baby. After the two months, I was able to latch my son on myself. His mouth was larger and he was more cooperating. After doing both, I admit breastfeeding from the breast is a lot easier. But if it is working for you, there is no reason to stop.
It's not that he doesn't like the breast, he just doesn't know how to do it. Sucking from a breast his harder then sucking from a bottle. It involves opening the mouth a lot larger and more tongue motion. Breastfeeding is natural but that does not mean it is easy for mom or baby

Answer 9

Yes you should stick with whatever you and your son feel comfortable with. He is still getting your breast milk so what does it matter if its out of a bottle? Do not let anybody put pressure on you to do what they think you should if he does not want to breastfeed but is happy to take your milk from a bottle i cannot see what the problem is.

If you do decide to stop expressing and switch him onto formula that is your choice and yours alone.

Good luck

Answer 10

If this works for you then stick with it, but if you want to nurse then you should really try it, you can still have your hubby feed him once or twice a day, but I personally find that it is less work to nurse than to pump and then feed. The only thing is it is going to be really hard to get him back on breast since he is used to bottle.

Answer 11

Babies can drain the breast far better than any pump can. You need to get him on the breast if you really plan on breast feeding for any length of time. Unfortunately pumping doesn't increase your milk supply as well as breastfeeding and it leaves alot of room for you to eventually give into formula.
I had to start pumping when I returned to work and my milk production has dropped drastically, I have to supplement one of the bottles with formula, simply because I don't always produce enough milk for the next day. I breastfeed every chance I get when my daughter is with me. Its been difficult not to give in and switch her to formula.