Two week old will not breastfeed
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Anonymous
| I’m desperately trying to breastfeed my two week old but things are not going well. I have flat - almost inverted nipples, that really only get to the size of a small eraser head. I have big breasts ( 36C) and large areolas. I’ve been working with a lactation consultant since day 4 but things are just not working. He won’t latch and he refuses to use a nipple shield. He also will not take a bottle. I have been hand expressing + pumping and syringe feeding him. This is every 1-2 hours. I’m not sure how long we can keep this method up as he starts to take larger volumes at each feed. The lactation consultant is amazing but she is really at a loss of what to do since he rejects breast, nipple shield, and bottle. I either syringe feed him or squirt the milk into his mouth ( he hates it) from my breast or a bottle. Anyone went through something similar? Did anything work for you? |
Anonymous
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I am so sorry. You must be exhausted. I had similar problems with feeding my baby. I had to spoon/syringe feed him for a long time. Getting some milk into him and then trying to bf once he wasn't so desperately hungry is what ended up working for us.
You may want to try using a spoon or shot glass/medicine measuring cup instead of syringe. Remember, this is new to baby too and some babies just have a hard time getting going. Do you know if baby's weight gain is on track? I also have large breasts and very very flat nipples. You could try a nipple everter. I didn't find it to be super helpful but it works for some ppl https://www.target.com/p/lansinoh-latch-assist/-/A-53248615?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&DFA=71700000012510679&CPNG=PLA_Baby%2BShopping%7CBaby_Ecomm_Baby&adgroup=SC_Baby_High%2BMargin&LID=700000001170770pgs&LNM=PRODUCT_GROUP&network=g&device=c&location=9061285&targetid=pla-923670360630&ds_rl=1242884&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=CjwKCAjwyryUBhBSEiwAGN5OCAsBFtue2uN_VdO3u6WPURRYYO9gIQJMj6DkY37U93mpaol0Mdhl8xoCNDsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds |
Anonymous
| Have you looped in the pediatrician? That seems very unusual to reject both bottle and breast, I would want him evaluated for feeding concerns. Was he at all early? |
Anonymous
| Have you tried a supplemental nursing system? I used this to allow me/my baby to learn to nurse (got easier as he got a bit bigger) without giving him a bottle. It's a pain to set up at first but it gives your baby nutrients while he figures the nursing thing out. |
Anonymous
OP here. Did your baby ever latch? I don’t think it’s a hunger issue. He definitely gets angry at the breast but that’s even when he is full. I will put him on the breast and he doesn’t latch very well. It’s like he can’t get a good enough latch to suck the milk out. When he does, it’s only like 0.5. We have tried using a cup ( like the mini disposable ones for pills) and he throws a fit. He will start screaming and lose it. The syringe is the only thing we have found that works. We have a bunch of the really big 100ml ones. We bought multiple spoon feeding ones and he refuses them. Thankfully he only is taking max of 2 ounces at a time. We just have to put the syringe in his cheek and give a little at a time. I don’t know if it’s a sensory thing but he flips out when I try to use a nipple shield ( have also tried using it when he’s awake and hungry, partially full, and sleepy). He also hates bottles and we have tried multiple brands. It’s seems he hates the plastic. His weight is fine. We do have a baby scale for when he latch well. We have been feeding him 1-2 ounce every 1-2 hours around the clock and that and been able to keep his weight up. What I do now is put him to the breast and see what he can get, syringe feed, and then put him to the breast again to see if he can get more or just comfort nurse ( his sucks are always shallow) to get him used to the breast. I would even be fine if he just took a bottle and I had to pump but he hates those too. I will order that suction thing. I have tried using a pump first to prime my breasts and that’s still hasn’t made much of a difference. |
Anonymous
OP here. We have talked to the pediatrician. At first the pediatrician wrote it off as a newborn learning to breastfeed. We have reached out since then and the pediatrician said we can evaluate after his two week appointment. He was full-term at 39 weeks 5 days. Born 8lbs 2oz and 20 inches long. |
Anonymous
OP here. We ordered one and it should come in next week. |
Anonymous
| Maybe he doesn’t like breast milk? Try formula. |
Anonymous
NP/DP, but if you have an IBCLC, they can set you you with a paediatric NG tube to get you started. It will work fine in a pinch, which it sounds like you’re in. Has your baby been assessed for tongue and lip ties? |
Anonymous
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I eventually just pumped and bottle fed. I did it for almost 6 months still I went back to work..with some formula added before then. I know nursing may be important to you but there is a big picture. Baby needs to be fed. You need to sleep. It may still come together but if not be happy there are choices.
My baby is 1/2 way through college at a top school. Perfect in every way. |
Anonymous
OP here. I would rather syringe feed since his weight is fine than go feeding tube route. That’s more of a last choice if his weight is an issue. He has been looked at for both and the lactation consultant said he didn’t have it. Same with the pediatrician. The lactation consultant said she is at a loss of what to do because most babies will at least use a nipple shield while learning to latch or take a bottle. She told us to keep trying and offering all options until he gets older and takes it. |
Anonymous
Did you bro see that her baby won’t take a bottle? Hard to bottle feed when your baby won’t take one. |
Anonymous
* not |
Anonymous
| I’d try a new LC. |
Anonymous
This literally has nothing to do with OPs problem. Did you just want bragging points for pumping? |