Two week old will not breastfeed

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

This, contact your ped. asap and see a specialist, not just a lactation.

[Anonymous]

You need to offer bottles with formula. He will eventually take it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

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.

I'm the quoted PP. Baby did eventually get the hang of it and we're still going strong It sounds like he is gaining weight and your LC might be right. Keep offering breast, bottle and one day it will eventually click. Do you know the flipple technique)? That can be useful for helping to get a deeper latch. https://themilkmeg.com/get-better-latch-exaggerated-latch-flipple-breastfeeding-technique/#:~:text=Use%20the%20%E2%80%9Cflipple%E2%80%9D%20technique%20to,after%20they%20have%20latched%20on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

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.

I'm the quoted PP. Baby did eventually get the hang of it and we're still going strong It sounds like he is gaining weight and your LC might be right. Keep offering breast, bottle and one day it will eventually click. Do you know the flipple technique)? That can be useful for helping to get a deeper latch. https://themilkmeg.com/get-better-latch-exaggerated-latch-flipple-breastfeeding-technique/#:~:text=Use%20the%20%E2%80%9Cflipple%E2%80%9D%20technique%20to,after%20they%20have%20latched%20on.

OP here. I will order this too. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

The pump might help plump your nipple, then try the flipple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The pump might help plump your nipple, then try the flipple.

Adding too, in a few weeks he might be able to latch more deeply too. Mine needed a shield for a few months. (I know you said he’s rejecting that…but wanted to offer a time frame even though that prob feels years away). I’m an H cup with small nipples and it was a lot for baby to work with.

You sound like you’re exploring lots of methods. That’s awesome. Hopefully something will click soon. ❤️

[Anonymous]

OP, I’m sorry you are going through all of this with your little one. It sounds like you are doing everything you can possibly do. You might see if another LC might have a second opinion or other tricks. But honestly it might just take all the patience in the world and time. My preemie twins were impossible to feed and we did all kinds of finger feeds, etc. They eventually latched at 7 weeks and 11 weeks. Just popping in to offer you empathy and hope that you find solutions for your baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

OP here. We ordered one and it should come in next week.

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?

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.

The pp was probably using a feeding tube as a DIY SNS. That is what my LC set me up with. You cut a whole in a nipple and thread the tip through. The other end rests in the bottle of milk. That is what I used and it worked well. never bought an actual SNS system.

[Anonymous]

I’d contact Susan Howard of Arlington lactation. She is very good with solving problems and getting to the root of the problem. I’m so sorry op.

[Anonymous]

Find a good Lactation Consultant. My 1st was a nurser, but the next baby wouldn't latch. We needed help, and the LC was amazing support. please get help from one and hang in there. getting started with newborns is hard.

[Anonymous]

Is he gaining weight? If he is, I would just give it time. If not, you need to see a specialist.

[Anonymous]

I feel like a lot of commenters are missing that this baby won’t take bottle *or* breast. I’ve never heard of having to syringe feed a baby entirely. I would push the pediatrician hard at that appointment and make sure they understand that baby isn’t really latching on anything. This sounds exhausting, OP. Hang in there.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, I am so sorry you’re going through this. We syringe fed my daughter from about 2-5 weeks. She could latch but not well and I was in too much pain to nurse (bleeding nipples). The first lactation counselor we saw who said DD did not have ties also terrified me that if we switched to bottle she would never nurse. So we syringe fed. It was awful.

We did end up seeing a different lactation counselor who identified ties, and referred us to a pediatric ent who corrected the tie. Things got a lot better after that.

I know it’s not exactly what you’re going through, but I do remember how difficult that was. You’re not alone. Maybe try a new lactation consultant? I hope it gets better soon!

[Anonymous]

Agree that you should see another LC. We had to syringe feed for a while and it was exhausting. We also tried the SNS, but baby didn’t take to it. We worked with three different LCs and each had different approaches and ideas. Particularly if your current LC is at a loss, you should try another LC. Good luck. This sounds really tough.

[Anonymous]

That sounds very frustrating OP. I would try a new lactation consultant.