(First: Please DO NOT lecture if you are not okay with cross nursing.) My 3 and a half month old nephew is having a lot of problems with formula. He just throws up most of what he eats and is getting really skinny. He has lost way too much weight. They have tried EVERYTHING. Now he is on soy formula. My sister in law wants me to try nursing him and see if breast milk would do any better. Since she is ready to go back to work she said it would be good if I could just nurse him along with my 4 month old durring the day. I am supposed to try tomorrow. Any advice for getting him to latch on? Is it really even possible? I just want to give him the best. I have an over supply so I don't mind at all, I'm just not sure if he'll take it. (although I could just pump and bottle feed him, it would be much easier if he would latch on,) Thanks!
2007-12-25 14:33:45 · 10 answers · asked by drtabby2b 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
I don't see how this is any different than someone being a surrogate, I think it's wonderful that you're offering to help your nephew in offering what is best for him right now.
He may or may not latch on. He doesn't have the same emotional or physical bond with you that he has with those who normally feed him. You may want to mention to your sister in law and brother that if you do this the baby may develop a very close bond with you and become emotionally dependent on you for feeding if you nurse him regularly.
There are some videos that you can watch on getting baby to latch, but if you're already BFing your own baby, then I'm sure you understand how the process works. It may take him a while to adjust to your style, but at his age he'll probably latch pretty immediately. Either way, I applaud you for your strength and generosity to get him nourished the way he should be right now.
Has you nephew been tested for anything? Allergies?If he's losing weight instead of gaining I'd say get that baby on something with some proper nutrients right away even if that means bottle feeding him bm until you can get him to latch on. Is there a reason that your SIL didn't nurse him and went straight to formula?
GL to you both, I really hope it works out!
2007-12-25 14:46:49 · answer #1 · answered by samantha 3 · 7⤊ 0⤋
That is a really good idea, try and latch him on like you do your own child, but only after he has eaten some from his bottle, that way he won't get frustrated too quickly since he will be somewhat satiate. This is basically the same idea as a milk bank only with the benefits of nursing like he will have to work to get the milk out(good for fine motor skills) there won't be all the air bubbles and it should help with his problem with puking it all out. You may want to pump one side and feed your child on the other solely, your supply will catch up with the demand with in a day or 2. Good luck!
2007-12-25 15:48:38 · answer #2 · answered by liv t 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I liked "liv t's" solution to pump on one side and feed on the other. Although I dont know if you will have that much extra milk at first. I do know that I tried to cut back on my carbs and found that my daughter stayed petite while breastfeeding and filled right out as soon as she started on some organic oatmeal, so be sure not to skip out on the carbs.
I am thinking that he will probably prefer the bottle, but I dont know, I once nursed my friends 6 week old, but he was already a bf baby. he latched right on and drained all that I had. He had a much stronger suck. He may not mind the breast once he realized that its in there, but either way the bmilk will be great for him. I will pray for his health and the new transition. Good luck!
2007-12-25 16:41:28 · answer #3 · answered by housemomof9 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's a great idea to pump breast milk as it can be safely stored in the fridge or freezer for later use. If your baby gets use to breast and bottle then you can start to go out a bit and leave her with family or when you are simply exhausted someone else can get up with her while you get some rest. Just think, you might actually get a little bit of time for yourself to get a haircut or visit a friend for coffee for an hour or two knowing that baby will be well taken care of - you can work on your own self care. You take care of baby, who takes care of you? No mommy needs to be a martyr to be at baby's beck and call 24/7. Everyone should get a little time off for good behaviour. LOL Even moms!
2016-05-26 05:57:58 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to express some milk and touch it to his lips, so he knows some good stuff is in there! Also it might help to have him watch your nurse your baby first on one side. Babies tend to want to eat if they see another baby eat! :)
You could also first try offering him half the bottle amount he's used to so he's not starving and may be open to exploring nursing on you.
That is a wonderful thing you're trying to do! Very selfless. Good luck!!
2007-12-25 15:57:46 · answer #5 · answered by Irritated Lactivist 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Just try.If it's really something you are willing to do.If he has never been breastfed, it's very likely he wont latch, and if he does, he might not be able to effectively remove milk from your breasts since the bottle is sssooo much easier getting milk out of.If all else fails, you could pump.Good luck.
2007-12-25 14:42:53 · answer #6 · answered by ♥ϑεηηιƒετ♥ 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
just try and try and try.
try the nipple shiels because they are shaped more like a bottle nipple he might be more likely to try sucking on that then your nipple at first.
eventually he will get it , he is not to old to start again.
i was just gonna suggest the pumping if all else fails but if you keep at it he should eventually latch on.
good for you for helping out your nephew. even if it does't work at least you are willing to try.
i breastfed my sisters baby when she went in for surgery so i see no problems with it at all. babies gotta eat :)
2007-12-25 16:28:48 · answer #7 · answered by 3 girls call me mommy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All you can do is try, persistence is the key. And if he does suffer from nipple confusion, just pump and feed.
You know you may get a lot of flack for nursing someone else's child. Didn't know there were still wet nurses. Hope if works for his sake.
2007-12-25 14:42:53 · answer #8 · answered by gypsy g 7 · 6⤊ 0⤋
The only way to know if it will work is try it. It is not impossible, but it may be hard.
"It's very difficult to switch to breast-feeding after bottle-feeding is begun." http://www.fda.gov/Fdac/features/895_brstfeed.html
2007-12-25 14:49:17 · answer #9 · answered by נєѕѕι¢α (ανα'ѕ мσмму) 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry i cant answer your question but i just want to applaud you for offering this to your nephew. its been really hard on me to breastfeed my daughter (but sooo worth it) i couldn't imagine trying to nurse some one Else's baby. you should be very proud of yourself
2007-12-25 15:00:14 · answer #10 · answered by omama 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋