How can I get my baby to keep breastfeeding even though he has been spoiled with a bottle?

Question

My son is two weeks old and was born with high jaundice. Because of this, my pediatrician made me supplement my breastfeeding with formula in order to get him to pass the jaundice through pooping. Now he is past the jaundice, but I am having a hard time getting him to just feed with breastmilk. He is so fussy when I go to breastfeed, that I wind up giving up and pumping or giving him formula. I did not want to give him formula at all, but had to so that he would get past his jaundice. Will he ever be satisfied with just the breast again? HELP!

Answer 1

yes he will with patience and practice . I didnt get milk for one week initially after delivery and my baby got used to the bottle , what happens is that sucking from a bottle is far easier and less hard word than sucking milk from teat and they get used to the easy way ( who wouldnt ). So all you have to do is wait till he is really hungry and then give him your breast , so that he sucks harder and his tummy fills faster. That way he will soon realise how the system works and mothers milk is way far better than any formula. So dont give up easily and pump it out , if he is resisting sucking/ getting tired give him a 5-10 minute break and then try again , soon his capacity to suck at one time will increase. My kid changed completely from bottle to breast in matter of days and then it was difficult to get her to even accept the bottle once in a way when we used to go out '...lol.....but thats another story . Also before beginning the feeding i would advise you to use a hot compress on your breast and squeeze a little milk out so that the flow is smooth and the baby doesnt have to try very hard !! Hope this helps and dont give up trying , as the cliche ( but true ) goes mothers milk is really the best for the baby.

Answer 2

It is easier for a baby to drink from a bottle, because they don't have to work so hard for the milk to flow.
That said, does not mean baby will not nurse anymore. I think that you are too upset when it comes to feeding time. You know when your little prince is hungry. Do not wait til he is so hungry that he is fussing or crying. Sit with him and offer him the breast way before that point. This way he is not so eager to get food, and both of you are more relaxed, and can make this a pleasurable time of feeding and playing. Every time Mommy is upset, the baby is picking up on that and gets upset himself. Try to be there just for him, and him alone. Hold him tight and rock him, sing a song to him or just hummmm. Most of all, make him feel safe. At only two weeks old, and being through some kind of upset already, he may not feel to secure. Especially if this is your first baby. Just hold him tight, and I mean very close to you, so his little arms and feet are not hanging all over in the air. He needs to feel physical support. Remember, before birth he was in a tight secure place, and that is what he needs to feel again.
My love goes out to you and your little prince, and may you find the right solution.

Answer 3

First off I would shoot that doctor for pushing formula over breastmilk and not teaching you how to feed your son without a bottle just so he didn't have to do anything for the jaundice! Find a different doctor.
I would cut the formula entirely at this point.
It is much easier for babies to nurse from a bottle since it's instant compared to working for mom's milk letdown. Any time he is hungry offer him the breast. If he refuses pump your milk and offer him that. If you want to ditch bottles there are several options such as the cup feeding method which is where you place a small amount of milk in a cup and dribble it into his mouth. He will learn very quickly that it is much easier and more pleasant to take the breast!

Answer 4

As for nappies it just depends on the baby, my daughter never used newborn she went straight to sz 1 and was in those for about 2 months, then went to size 2 for about a month then sz 3 for 4 months and is now in size 4 for about 3 months now. My best friends baby is 4 months older than mine and still in size 3. My daughter loved her swing and there is no way I could have lived with out it she also like her bouncer until she was about 4 months then she didn't want to have anything to do with that so we got her an exersaucer and we could barely get her out of that thing. Hope this helps. Its just hard because all babies are sooo different.

Answer 5

first let me rant about your stupid doctor.....ahhhh i just want to scream for you!

formula feeding for jaundice is ridiculously outdated and WRONG......i just cannot cannot cannot understand how in the year 2007 doctors and nurses are STILL sabotaging breastfeeding relationships

i would find a different pedi if i were you.....and file a complaint while you are at......do your research and you will see that what your pedi did was incorrect, unhealthy and as we can see has nearly ruined your breastfeeding experience

i had two jaundiced babies.....ABO incompatibility....and they both were in the hospital for a week each under the bili lights and never once was formula pushed on me....even in the face of talking blood transfusions....the ped and nurses were very encouraging to breastfeed on demand and report all dirty diapers.......even the ped said he was less concerned with higher numbers of biliruben cuz my babies were breastfeeding

now....trash the formula......seriously......throw it in the damn trash and get mad.......getting mad makes you determined....and practice practice nursing with your baby....in between nursings pump....and go get help

visit your hospital's lactation consultant....join a support group....take action NOW

you can do this....and yes your baby will be happy with your breast

Answer 6

I'm sorry you're having trouble! I commend you've for sticking with breastfeeding despite your difficulties. How wonderful that you're so motivated to keep trying! I'm not sure I have the answer, but maybe I can suggest some things to try. Hopefully, you can find something that will work for you and your son.

-You might try to nurse when he is asleep or very sleepy.
-Use different nursing positions.
-Nurse while in motion (rocking, walking, swaying).
-Spend more time in skin to skin contact.
-Massage the breast, express some milk, or apply a warm compress to trigger a let-down right before you nurse. (This will give him an instant reward for his effort!)
-If you or he becomes upset, take a break and comfort him so nursing doesn't become associated with unhappiness.

If none of this works for you, try contacting a lactation consultant or a La Leche League leader (www.llli.org).

Best of luck, and keep trying!

Answer 7

Stop giving up the breast and going to the pump. It is hard, but you've got to keep at it. He will get hungry enough very very soon to take the breast and get full. Don't give up....don't even pick up that breast pump. Yes, your breasts might get sore and he may fuss a little. But it will be worth it when you are holding your little one in your arms and he is content on the breast. Have heart....it'll happen.

Answer 8

Kellymom has good info

Help -- My Baby Won't Nurse!
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html

Answer 9

I really don't know, but bottle feeding him isn't going to hurt anything. I have five kids and never breastfed any of them. They were always healthy, happy babies. I don't believe that the breast is the best. Only you and your baby knows what is best. I think most women breast feed because they feel guilty if they don't and too many people make mothers feel that way. I think you should continue bottle feeding. You have to think about your baby and what he prefers. You could give the breast another shot, but it's just going to make your little man frustrated and with him being so young I wouldn't want to deprive him from what he is used to.