Two week old will not breastfeed

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:You need to wait until he's hungry and have dad give him the bottle. Make it a high-flow nipple and just keep sticking it in his mouth. He'll take it. My DS spit out the pacifier repeatedly at 3 weeks but I was determined to make him take it, so I just held it in there. I don't mean you traumatize the baby, but you just keep on trying.

OP here. I will try to high flow. We have I think a newborn or slow flow nipple. We have 3 different brand bottles and he won’t take any of them. We have tried various milk temps, formula, and him being really hungry. He still refused and screamed. He is not a big fan of the syringe but he is used to it now. We feed every 1-2 hours because that’s when he wants to eat. He will take 1 ounce every hour or 2 ounces every two hours. We let him decide and he does turn his head and spit it out even he doesn’t want it. We don’t just feed him to feed him. We don’t go more than two hours between feedings but he always lets us know when he is hungry and he always wants to eat every 1-2 hours. The odd thing is he hates the nipple shield and won’t take a bottle but he will take a pacifier.

He's lazy and likes the syringe, it's easier for him!

What do you suggest she does? If she stops syringe feeding that means he gets no milk.

He will eventually take the bottle.

That is dangerous advice for a mother of a 2 week old who is not suckling. Not all babies will EVENTUALLY take a bottle

But the vast majority will. OP needs better support from a real doctor, not an LC. A newborn cannot eat from a syringe permanently - will not get enough food that way, and caregivers cannot keep it up. The bottle think is mostly psychological if it is not physiological, and the doctor needs to help figure it out.

And OP needs to show the baby some tough love and not use a syringe for at least a day. The baby is likely just lazy and prefers the syringe. It has no understanding that this method isn’t sustainable.

It’s not even safe to have a baby who won’t take the breast or a bottle. What if something happens to OP? Who is going to dedicate a year of their life to syringe feeding a baby? Eventually it would require 24-7 feeding since a syringe holds so little liquid.

This is truly a safety thing and OP needs to drop the syringe and continue to offer bottles. After 8 hours or so, she needs to hand the baby over to dad and leave the house if the baby still won’t take a bottle.

OP here. He’s my child, not yours. I’m been very open and receptive to all advice on here so far. I’ve order everything people have mentioned to try. I’m going to see a new lactation consultant and will be pushing hard to get him evaluated when we see the pediatrician next week. I will not starve my baby. He is only two weeks old and needs calories and nutrition. We are still trying all the methods, but I will not force him to go without food to try to get him to take a bottle. He would take my breasts if he could. Same with the bottle. I’m not going to stop feeding him. He will eventually get this.

OP, please ignore this silly person. My baby never took a bottle. Obviously, it would have been a difficult situation if anything had happened to me, but (a) nothing happened to me, as is true for most American mothers and (b) if something had happened to me, his father and grandparents would have figured out how to get him fed. Please don't spend one minute worrying about PP's catastrophizing.

OP’s baby won’t nurse OR take a bottle. Totally different problem.

How dumb are you? In order for the baby to get better at nursing, you need to let baby nurse and be on the breast often. The baby will likely never end up breastfeeding if she doesn’t continue to latch him. Also, OP said he does nurse and does get some milk out. He had a hard time because of her flat nipples.

I see. Your goal is breastfeeding at all costs so you think it is actually good that the baby rejects the bottle. Well OP you can decide what works for you. What you’re doing right now sounds pretty insanely miserable to me and unsustainable.

OP is trying to give him a bottle too. She said she ordered more bottles to try and a SNS.

Yeah that’s what OP says. I’m trying to figure out why PP is triggered by the posters suggesting more structured attempts to offer only the bottle to increase chances baby will take it. I have concluded that PP is a breastfeeding fanatic who things the goal is breastfeeding at all costs.

No. I’m simply stating that isn’t not wrong for OP to offer breast and bottle to encourage the baby to nurse or use a bottle. This is what you’re supposed to do.

FYI - both of my kids were bottle fed after 6 months.

It could be wrong - we don’t know. What OP is doing now isn’t working. It’s totally normal advice to simplify and schedule. My LC specifically told me not to pump because it was too much, and to put the baby on more of a schedule (every 3 hrs instead of long comfort feeding sessions) when he wasn’t nursing well.

No one cares what you think, including OP. She is doing the best she can with the tools she has.

She will loose her supply if her baby can’t latch. Your baby doesn’t seem to have the issues OP baby has. It’s not the same thing. He only talks half an ounce every two hours. He can’t latch deep enough to get more milk. She needs to pump to keep up her supply or else her body will think she needs to make just half an ounce and she will lose her supply. You don’t seem to understand that this is a different baby with different issues that needs different methods.

Why are you being so nasty? OP asked for advice so people give advice, that's how messageboards typically function.

It’s no longer advice. It’s the same couple of posters telling OP she is wrong and basically telling her that she should listen to them over medical professionals. OP doesn’t need to told she is doing everything wrong when she is already struggling

that’s actually not what’s happening… you for some reason are attempting to aggressively gatekeep advice you disagree with.

Several of us are asking you to give op space. It’s not gatekeeping, or aggressive. Though your language seems especially loaded for bear. You offered suggestions- great. Now let her process everything.

She’s gotten a lot of info. Has appointments scheduled. Options on order. A supportive co parent. Now it’s time and perseverance for the family.

this is the internet … it’s weird that you’re acting like you are OP’s protector. OP can ask for the thread to be deleted if she wants.

You can also read the room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - does your baby suckle on anything? Their hand/finger, a pacifier, anything at all?

I am just wildly impressed that the baby is gaining weight with syringe feeds - you are clearly working SO HARD.

If the baby is not sucking on anything I am, like other posters said, concerned about a tongue tie or some other structural mouth issue that has not been caught yet.

OP here. He will breastfeed but can’t get a good latch because of small flat nipples. He will extract like 0.5 out when he does. We tried a nipple shield and he doesn’t like it and will refuse to use it. He will suckle on my breast shallow for comfort. He won’t take a bottle but we are still trying. He will take a pacifier.

We make sure to feed him 1-2 ounces every 1-2 hours. Sometimes when he is really hungry he will suck on it to get the milk out as soon as we put the syringe in his mouth. Most times we go slowly and squirt it into his cheek. The feedings can take about 30 minutes. He eats 20-24 ounces a day.

If he does this than the SNS could work. My daughter was like this and the SNS was a lifesaver for use. We used a DIY SNS systen with feeding tube and by varying the height of the bottle you can control how much effort he has to put in to get milk out. It’s a siphon system so at the beginning of deeds I had the bottle up high so basically got milk with shallow latch and disorganized suck. And lowered it later in the feed when I thought she was mainly comfort nursing. We saw an osteopath who did some bodywork on her and that made a big difference in her ability to suck effectively. Pre SNS we did a lot of syringe feeding but stopped that when we got the SNS to work.

Good luck! I know it is so hard!

OP here. I ordered one but it won’t get here until next week.

As has been posted by other posters up thread - call your LC or ped and see about getting some NG tubes to use the same way you would use the SNS in the meantime. You can start today.

The baby doesn’t need a feeding tube.

Baby is feeding fine. There is no need for a feeding tube. She does need to call her ped and see a GI or feeding specialist or both. An LC isn't going ot help at this point.

DO YOU PEOPLE EVEN READ ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT DIRECTLY AGREE WITH WHATEVER YOU'RE HUNG UP ON?

*NOT ONE PERSON* on this thread has suggested that the baby needs nasogastric feeding. Not a single post has alluded to the fact that this baby is any danger and would need this kind of intervention. Everyone is encouraging seeing proper medical professionals, including a certified lactation consultant, who should be able to help with latching as well as use of an SNS (or NG tube in place of an SNS), and specialists to assess the infants mouth for ties or causes for weak sucking.

The tube that is used in NG feeding is a clear, flexible tube that does not selectively need to go in a nose just because that’s what it’s often used for. It is the perfect length and diameter to use as a DIY supplemental nursing system (SNS). One end of the tube goes in a bottle, one end is placed at the nipple. Baby sucks and gets milk/formula, whatever is in the bottle through the tube, as well as any milk that can be expressed from the breast. This helps develop more productive and deeper sucking because the baby is actually getting “results”, which they may not from an improper latch. The suckling also stimulates mom’s breasts to produce milk, let down, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - does your baby suckle on anything? Their hand/finger, a pacifier, anything at all?

I am just wildly impressed that the baby is gaining weight with syringe feeds - you are clearly working SO HARD.

If the baby is not sucking on anything I am, like other posters said, concerned about a tongue tie or some other structural mouth issue that has not been caught yet.

OP here. He will breastfeed but can’t get a good latch because of small flat nipples. He will extract like 0.5 out when he does. We tried a nipple shield and he doesn’t like it and will refuse to use it. He will suckle on my breast shallow for comfort. He won’t take a bottle but we are still trying. He will take a pacifier.

We make sure to feed him 1-2 ounces every 1-2 hours. Sometimes when he is really hungry he will suck on it to get the milk out as soon as we put the syringe in his mouth. Most times we go slowly and squirt it into his cheek. The feedings can take about 30 minutes. He eats 20-24 ounces a day.

If he does this than the SNS could work. My daughter was like this and the SNS was a lifesaver for use. We used a DIY SNS systen with feeding tube and by varying the height of the bottle you can control how much effort he has to put in to get milk out. It’s a siphon system so at the beginning of deeds I had the bottle up high so basically got milk with shallow latch and disorganized suck. And lowered it later in the feed when I thought she was mainly comfort nursing. We saw an osteopath who did some bodywork on her and that made a big difference in her ability to suck effectively. Pre SNS we did a lot of syringe feeding but stopped that when we got the SNS to work.

Good luck! I know it is so hard!

OP here. I ordered one but it won’t get here until next week.

As has been posted by other posters up thread - call your LC or ped and see about getting some NG tubes to use the same way you would use the SNS in the meantime. You can start today.

The baby doesn’t need a feeding tube.

Baby is feeding fine. There is no need for a feeding tube. She does need to call her ped and see a GI or feeding specialist or both. An LC isn't going ot help at this point.

DO YOU PEOPLE EVEN READ ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT DIRECTLY AGREE WITH WHATEVER YOU'RE HUNG UP ON?

*NOT ONE PERSON* on this thread has suggested that the baby needs nasogastric feeding. Not a single post has alluded to the fact that this baby is any danger and would need this kind of intervention. Everyone is encouraging seeing proper medical professionals, including a certified lactation consultant, who should be able to help with latching as well as use of an SNS (or NG tube in place of an SNS), and specialists to assess the infants mouth for ties or causes for weak sucking.

The tube that is used in NG feeding is a clear, flexible tube that does not selectively need to go in a nose just because that’s what it’s often used for. It is the perfect length and diameter to use as a DIY supplemental nursing system (SNS). One end of the tube goes in a bottle, one end is placed at the nipple. Baby sucks and gets milk/formula, whatever is in the bottle through the tube, as well as any milk that can be expressed from the breast. This helps develop more productive and deeper sucking because the baby is actually getting “results”, which they may not from an improper latch. The suckling also stimulates mom’s breasts to produce milk, let down, etc.

OP has a lactation consultant, had order a SNS, and she plans to seek more help from the pediatrician. Her baby is gaining weight and doesn’t need a feeding tube.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - does your baby suckle on anything? Their hand/finger, a pacifier, anything at all?

I am just wildly impressed that the baby is gaining weight with syringe feeds - you are clearly working SO HARD.

If the baby is not sucking on anything I am, like other posters said, concerned about a tongue tie or some other structural mouth issue that has not been caught yet.

OP here. He will breastfeed but can’t get a good latch because of small flat nipples. He will extract like 0.5 out when he does. We tried a nipple shield and he doesn’t like it and will refuse to use it. He will suckle on my breast shallow for comfort. He won’t take a bottle but we are still trying. He will take a pacifier.

We make sure to feed him 1-2 ounces every 1-2 hours. Sometimes when he is really hungry he will suck on it to get the milk out as soon as we put the syringe in his mouth. Most times we go slowly and squirt it into his cheek. The feedings can take about 30 minutes. He eats 20-24 ounces a day.

If he does this than the SNS could work. My daughter was like this and the SNS was a lifesaver for use. We used a DIY SNS systen with feeding tube and by varying the height of the bottle you can control how much effort he has to put in to get milk out. It’s a siphon system so at the beginning of deeds I had the bottle up high so basically got milk with shallow latch and disorganized suck. And lowered it later in the feed when I thought she was mainly comfort nursing. We saw an osteopath who did some bodywork on her and that made a big difference in her ability to suck effectively. Pre SNS we did a lot of syringe feeding but stopped that when we got the SNS to work.

Good luck! I know it is so hard!

OP here. I ordered one but it won’t get here until next week.

As has been posted by other posters up thread - call your LC or ped and see about getting some NG tubes to use the same way you would use the SNS in the meantime. You can start today.

The baby doesn’t need a feeding tube.

Baby is feeding fine. There is no need for a feeding tube. She does need to call her ped and see a GI or feeding specialist or both. An LC isn't going ot help at this point.

DO YOU PEOPLE EVEN READ ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT DIRECTLY AGREE WITH WHATEVER YOU'RE HUNG UP ON?

*NOT ONE PERSON* on this thread has suggested that the baby needs nasogastric feeding. Not a single post has alluded to the fact that this baby is any danger and would need this kind of intervention. Everyone is encouraging seeing proper medical professionals, including a certified lactation consultant, who should be able to help with latching as well as use of an SNS (or NG tube in place of an SNS), and specialists to assess the infants mouth for ties or causes for weak sucking.

The tube that is used in NG feeding is a clear, flexible tube that does not selectively need to go in a nose just because that’s what it’s often used for. It is the perfect length and diameter to use as a DIY supplemental nursing system (SNS). One end of the tube goes in a bottle, one end is placed at the nipple. Baby sucks and gets milk/formula, whatever is in the bottle through the tube, as well as any milk that can be expressed from the breast. This helps develop more productive and deeper sucking because the baby is actually getting “results”, which they may not from an improper latch. The suckling also stimulates mom’s breasts to produce milk, let down, etc.

OP has a lactation consultant, had order a SNS, and she plans to seek more help from the pediatrician. Her baby is gaining weight and doesn’t need a feeding tube.

DP are your really that dense? If she used a feeding tube SNS system she could get started with the SNS sooner and not have to wait for the ordered SNS to arrive. The feeding tub IS AN SNS!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - does your baby suckle on anything? Their hand/finger, a pacifier, anything at all?

I am just wildly impressed that the baby is gaining weight with syringe feeds - you are clearly working SO HARD.

If the baby is not sucking on anything I am, like other posters said, concerned about a tongue tie or some other structural mouth issue that has not been caught yet.

OP here. He will breastfeed but can’t get a good latch because of small flat nipples. He will extract like 0.5 out when he does. We tried a nipple shield and he doesn’t like it and will refuse to use it. He will suckle on my breast shallow for comfort. He won’t take a bottle but we are still trying. He will take a pacifier.

We make sure to feed him 1-2 ounces every 1-2 hours. Sometimes when he is really hungry he will suck on it to get the milk out as soon as we put the syringe in his mouth. Most times we go slowly and squirt it into his cheek. The feedings can take about 30 minutes. He eats 20-24 ounces a day.

If he does this than the SNS could work. My daughter was like this and the SNS was a lifesaver for use. We used a DIY SNS systen with feeding tube and by varying the height of the bottle you can control how much effort he has to put in to get milk out. It’s a siphon system so at the beginning of deeds I had the bottle up high so basically got milk with shallow latch and disorganized suck. And lowered it later in the feed when I thought she was mainly comfort nursing. We saw an osteopath who did some bodywork on her and that made a big difference in her ability to suck effectively. Pre SNS we did a lot of syringe feeding but stopped that when we got the SNS to work.

Good luck! I know it is so hard!

OP here. I ordered one but it won’t get here until next week.

As has been posted by other posters up thread - call your LC or ped and see about getting some NG tubes to use the same way you would use the SNS in the meantime. You can start today.

The baby doesn’t need a feeding tube.

Baby is feeding fine. There is no need for a feeding tube. She does need to call her ped and see a GI or feeding specialist or both. An LC isn't going ot help at this point.

DO YOU PEOPLE EVEN READ ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT DIRECTLY AGREE WITH WHATEVER YOU'RE HUNG UP ON?

*NOT ONE PERSON* on this thread has suggested that the baby needs nasogastric feeding. Not a single post has alluded to the fact that this baby is any danger and would need this kind of intervention. Everyone is encouraging seeing proper medical professionals, including a certified lactation consultant, who should be able to help with latching as well as use of an SNS (or NG tube in place of an SNS), and specialists to assess the infants mouth for ties or causes for weak sucking.

The tube that is used in NG feeding is a clear, flexible tube that does not selectively need to go in a nose just because that’s what it’s often used for. It is the perfect length and diameter to use as a DIY supplemental nursing system (SNS). One end of the tube goes in a bottle, one end is placed at the nipple. Baby sucks and gets milk/formula, whatever is in the bottle through the tube, as well as any milk that can be expressed from the breast. This helps develop more productive and deeper sucking because the baby is actually getting “results”, which they may not from an improper latch. The suckling also stimulates mom’s breasts to produce milk, let down, etc.

OP has a lactation consultant, had order a SNS, and she plans to seek more help from the pediatrician. Her baby is gaining weight and doesn’t need a feeding tube.

oh for g-d sake

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - does your baby suckle on anything? Their hand/finger, a pacifier, anything at all?

I am just wildly impressed that the baby is gaining weight with syringe feeds - you are clearly working SO HARD.

If the baby is not sucking on anything I am, like other posters said, concerned about a tongue tie or some other structural mouth issue that has not been caught yet.

OP here. He will breastfeed but can’t get a good latch because of small flat nipples. He will extract like 0.5 out when he does. We tried a nipple shield and he doesn’t like it and will refuse to use it. He will suckle on my breast shallow for comfort. He won’t take a bottle but we are still trying. He will take a pacifier.

We make sure to feed him 1-2 ounces every 1-2 hours. Sometimes when he is really hungry he will suck on it to get the milk out as soon as we put the syringe in his mouth. Most times we go slowly and squirt it into his cheek. The feedings can take about 30 minutes. He eats 20-24 ounces a day.

If he does this than the SNS could work. My daughter was like this and the SNS was a lifesaver for use. We used a DIY SNS systen with feeding tube and by varying the height of the bottle you can control how much effort he has to put in to get milk out. It’s a siphon system so at the beginning of deeds I had the bottle up high so basically got milk with shallow latch and disorganized suck. And lowered it later in the feed when I thought she was mainly comfort nursing. We saw an osteopath who did some bodywork on her and that made a big difference in her ability to suck effectively. Pre SNS we did a lot of syringe feeding but stopped that when we got the SNS to work.

Good luck! I know it is so hard!

OP here. I ordered one but it won’t get here until next week.

As has been posted by other posters up thread - call your LC or ped and see about getting some NG tubes to use the same way you would use the SNS in the meantime. You can start today.

The baby doesn’t need a feeding tube.

Baby is feeding fine. There is no need for a feeding tube. She does need to call her ped and see a GI or feeding specialist or both. An LC isn't going ot help at this point.

DO YOU PEOPLE EVEN READ ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT DIRECTLY AGREE WITH WHATEVER YOU'RE HUNG UP ON?

*NOT ONE PERSON* on this thread has suggested that the baby needs nasogastric feeding. Not a single post has alluded to the fact that this baby is any danger and would need this kind of intervention. Everyone is encouraging seeing proper medical professionals, including a certified lactation consultant, who should be able to help with latching as well as use of an SNS (or NG tube in place of an SNS), and specialists to assess the infants mouth for ties or causes for weak sucking.

The tube that is used in NG feeding is a clear, flexible tube that does not selectively need to go in a nose just because that’s what it’s often used for. It is the perfect length and diameter to use as a DIY supplemental nursing system (SNS). One end of the tube goes in a bottle, one end is placed at the nipple. Baby sucks and gets milk/formula, whatever is in the bottle through the tube, as well as any milk that can be expressed from the breast. This helps develop more productive and deeper sucking because the baby is actually getting “results”, which they may not from an improper latch. The suckling also stimulates mom’s breasts to produce milk, let down, etc.

OP has a lactation consultant, had order a SNS, and she plans to seek more help from the pediatrician. Her baby is gaining weight and doesn’t need a feeding tube.

DP are your really that dense? If she used a feeding tube SNS system she could get started with the SNS sooner and not have to wait for the ordered SNS to arrive. The feeding tub IS AN SNS!!!!!

Not to mention for many people the feeding tube SNS system works better than the commercial ones so she can try both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - does your baby suckle on anything? Their hand/finger, a pacifier, anything at all?

I am just wildly impressed that the baby is gaining weight with syringe feeds - you are clearly working SO HARD.

If the baby is not sucking on anything I am, like other posters said, concerned about a tongue tie or some other structural mouth issue that has not been caught yet.

OP here. He will breastfeed but can’t get a good latch because of small flat nipples. He will extract like 0.5 out when he does. We tried a nipple shield and he doesn’t like it and will refuse to use it. He will suckle on my breast shallow for comfort. He won’t take a bottle but we are still trying. He will take a pacifier.

We make sure to feed him 1-2 ounces every 1-2 hours. Sometimes when he is really hungry he will suck on it to get the milk out as soon as we put the syringe in his mouth. Most times we go slowly and squirt it into his cheek. The feedings can take about 30 minutes. He eats 20-24 ounces a day.

If he does this than the SNS could work. My daughter was like this and the SNS was a lifesaver for use. We used a DIY SNS systen with feeding tube and by varying the height of the bottle you can control how much effort he has to put in to get milk out. It’s a siphon system so at the beginning of deeds I had the bottle up high so basically got milk with shallow latch and disorganized suck. And lowered it later in the feed when I thought she was mainly comfort nursing. We saw an osteopath who did some bodywork on her and that made a big difference in her ability to suck effectively. Pre SNS we did a lot of syringe feeding but stopped that when we got the SNS to work.

Good luck! I know it is so hard!

OP here. I ordered one but it won’t get here until next week.

As has been posted by other posters up thread - call your LC or ped and see about getting some NG tubes to use the same way you would use the SNS in the meantime. You can start today.

The baby doesn’t need a feeding tube.

Baby is feeding fine. There is no need for a feeding tube. She does need to call her ped and see a GI or feeding specialist or both. An LC isn't going ot help at this point.

DO YOU PEOPLE EVEN READ ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT DIRECTLY AGREE WITH WHATEVER YOU'RE HUNG UP ON?

*NOT ONE PERSON* on this thread has suggested that the baby needs nasogastric feeding. Not a single post has alluded to the fact that this baby is any danger and would need this kind of intervention. Everyone is encouraging seeing proper medical professionals, including a certified lactation consultant, who should be able to help with latching as well as use of an SNS (or NG tube in place of an SNS), and specialists to assess the infants mouth for ties or causes for weak sucking.

The tube that is used in NG feeding is a clear, flexible tube that does not selectively need to go in a nose just because that’s what it’s often used for. It is the perfect length and diameter to use as a DIY supplemental nursing system (SNS). One end of the tube goes in a bottle, one end is placed at the nipple. Baby sucks and gets milk/formula, whatever is in the bottle through the tube, as well as any milk that can be expressed from the breast. This helps develop more productive and deeper sucking because the baby is actually getting “results”, which they may not from an improper latch. The suckling also stimulates mom’s breasts to produce milk, let down, etc.

OP has a lactation consultant, had order a SNS, and she plans to seek more help from the pediatrician. Her baby is gaining weight and doesn’t need a feeding tube.

Well, the fact that OPs LC keeps pushing the nipple shield (which is not a cure all), has not offered a makeshift SNS, has not suggested she go to a paediatric dentist or maxillofacial surgeon, and is basically only giving OP the solution of “just keep trying” tells me she’s of limited use. Not all LCs are created equal, and many don’t have the skill set to dive deeper beyond the simplest and most common of issues; it sounds OP may need someone more qualified. She’s doing a great job (actually excellent job) and is committed to breastfeeding; now she needs to be supported by a team that can assist in that. BF can be fraught with all kinds of fears, doubt, and it’s darned hard work at the beginning, and it’s important to clear up problems as early as possible to help maintain supply and limit frustration that may lead the mother to quit BF.

The reason OP should look into getting the NG a tube sooner is it may afford her a whole week of easier BF before her SNE comes in. There’s a little bit of a learning curve to it too. Having it earlier helps infant by maintaining the sucking muscles and skills he hasn’t been able to master yet , and helps protect the mothers supply because milk is getting removed in a more natural fashion. Babies are more efficient at removing milk than pumps are.

She still has a bunch ahead of her, like solving the latch issue. Which is occurring with both bottles and breast. This could give her peace of mind faster, rather than requiring syringe or cup feeding (bet you didn’t know that could be done either, did you PP?)

[Anonymous]

OP, not sure if you’ve been on this site, but there is some good info, including videos with different latch techniques and how to tell if you have a good latch. Your type of nipple shouldn’t negate your ability, which is why it’s important to get your infant assessed again. I think it was referred to upthread, but the exaggerated or “flipple” technique should help, if you haven’t tried it.

https://ibconline.ca/information-sheets/when-baby-does-not-yet-latch/

https://ibconline.ca/breastfeeding-videos-english/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - does your baby suckle on anything? Their hand/finger, a pacifier, anything at all?

I am just wildly impressed that the baby is gaining weight with syringe feeds - you are clearly working SO HARD.

If the baby is not sucking on anything I am, like other posters said, concerned about a tongue tie or some other structural mouth issue that has not been caught yet.

OP here. He will breastfeed but can’t get a good latch because of small flat nipples. He will extract like 0.5 out when he does. We tried a nipple shield and he doesn’t like it and will refuse to use it. He will suckle on my breast shallow for comfort. He won’t take a bottle but we are still trying. He will take a pacifier.

We make sure to feed him 1-2 ounces every 1-2 hours. Sometimes when he is really hungry he will suck on it to get the milk out as soon as we put the syringe in his mouth. Most times we go slowly and squirt it into his cheek. The feedings can take about 30 minutes. He eats 20-24 ounces a day.

If he does this than the SNS could work. My daughter was like this and the SNS was a lifesaver for use. We used a DIY SNS systen with feeding tube and by varying the height of the bottle you can control how much effort he has to put in to get milk out. It’s a siphon system so at the beginning of deeds I had the bottle up high so basically got milk with shallow latch and disorganized suck. And lowered it later in the feed when I thought she was mainly comfort nursing. We saw an osteopath who did some bodywork on her and that made a big difference in her ability to suck effectively. Pre SNS we did a lot of syringe feeding but stopped that when we got the SNS to work.

Good luck! I know it is so hard!

OP here. I ordered one but it won’t get here until next week.

As has been posted by other posters up thread - call your LC or ped and see about getting some NG tubes to use the same way you would use the SNS in the meantime. You can start today.

The baby doesn’t need a feeding tube.

Baby is feeding fine. There is no need for a feeding tube. She does need to call her ped and see a GI or feeding specialist or both. An LC isn't going ot help at this point.

DO YOU PEOPLE EVEN READ ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT DIRECTLY AGREE WITH WHATEVER YOU'RE HUNG UP ON?

*NOT ONE PERSON* on this thread has suggested that the baby needs nasogastric feeding. Not a single post has alluded to the fact that this baby is any danger and would need this kind of intervention. Everyone is encouraging seeing proper medical professionals, including a certified lactation consultant, who should be able to help with latching as well as use of an SNS (or NG tube in place of an SNS), and specialists to assess the infants mouth for ties or causes for weak sucking.

The tube that is used in NG feeding is a clear, flexible tube that does not selectively need to go in a nose just because that’s what it’s often used for. It is the perfect length and diameter to use as a DIY supplemental nursing system (SNS). One end of the tube goes in a bottle, one end is placed at the nipple. Baby sucks and gets milk/formula, whatever is in the bottle through the tube, as well as any milk that can be expressed from the breast. This helps develop more productive and deeper sucking because the baby is actually getting “results”, which they may not from an improper latch. The suckling also stimulates mom’s breasts to produce milk, let down, etc.

OP has a lactation consultant, had order a SNS, and she plans to seek more help from the pediatrician. Her baby is gaining weight and doesn’t need a feeding tube.

Well, the fact that OPs LC keeps pushing the nipple shield (which is not a cure all), has not offered a makeshift SNS, has not suggested she go to a paediatric dentist or maxillofacial surgeon, and is basically only giving OP the solution of “just keep trying” tells me she’s of limited use. Not all LCs are created equal, and many don’t have the skill set to dive deeper beyond the simplest and most common of issues; it sounds OP may need someone more qualified. She’s doing a great job (actually excellent job) and is committed to breastfeeding; now she needs to be supported by a team that can assist in that. BF can be fraught with all kinds of fears, doubt, and it’s darned hard work at the beginning, and it’s important to clear up problems as early as possible to help maintain supply and limit frustration that may lead the mother to quit BF.

The reason OP should look into getting the NG a tube sooner is it may afford her a whole week of easier BF before her SNE comes in. There’s a little bit of a learning curve to it too. Having it earlier helps infant by maintaining the sucking muscles and skills he hasn’t been able to master yet , and helps protect the mothers supply because milk is getting removed in a more natural fashion. Babies are more efficient at removing milk than pumps are.

She still has a bunch ahead of her, like solving the latch issue. Which is occurring with both bottles and breast. This could give her peace of mind faster, rather than requiring syringe or cup feeding (bet you didn’t know that could be done either, did you PP?)

Wouldn’t an SLP or OT specializing in feeding be helpful too? This doesn’t sound run of the mill, so I’d also want a medical professional who knows about suck/swallow reflexes who works with higher needs kids. Not sure if there’s a feeding clinic OP can get access too … this seems to go beyond breastfeeding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - does your baby suckle on anything? Their hand/finger, a pacifier, anything at all?

I am just wildly impressed that the baby is gaining weight with syringe feeds - you are clearly working SO HARD.

If the baby is not sucking on anything I am, like other posters said, concerned about a tongue tie or some other structural mouth issue that has not been caught yet.

OP here. He will breastfeed but can’t get a good latch because of small flat nipples. He will extract like 0.5 out when he does. We tried a nipple shield and he doesn’t like it and will refuse to use it. He will suckle on my breast shallow for comfort. He won’t take a bottle but we are still trying. He will take a pacifier.

We make sure to feed him 1-2 ounces every 1-2 hours. Sometimes when he is really hungry he will suck on it to get the milk out as soon as we put the syringe in his mouth. Most times we go slowly and squirt it into his cheek. The feedings can take about 30 minutes. He eats 20-24 ounces a day.

If he does this than the SNS could work. My daughter was like this and the SNS was a lifesaver for use. We used a DIY SNS systen with feeding tube and by varying the height of the bottle you can control how much effort he has to put in to get milk out. It’s a siphon system so at the beginning of deeds I had the bottle up high so basically got milk with shallow latch and disorganized suck. And lowered it later in the feed when I thought she was mainly comfort nursing. We saw an osteopath who did some bodywork on her and that made a big difference in her ability to suck effectively. Pre SNS we did a lot of syringe feeding but stopped that when we got the SNS to work.

Good luck! I know it is so hard!

OP here. I ordered one but it won’t get here until next week.

As has been posted by other posters up thread - call your LC or ped and see about getting some NG tubes to use the same way you would use the SNS in the meantime. You can start today.

The baby doesn’t need a feeding tube.

Baby is feeding fine. There is no need for a feeding tube. She does need to call her ped and see a GI or feeding specialist or both. An LC isn't going ot help at this point.

DO YOU PEOPLE EVEN READ ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT DIRECTLY AGREE WITH WHATEVER YOU'RE HUNG UP ON?

*NOT ONE PERSON* on this thread has suggested that the baby needs nasogastric feeding. Not a single post has alluded to the fact that this baby is any danger and would need this kind of intervention. Everyone is encouraging seeing proper medical professionals, including a certified lactation consultant, who should be able to help with latching as well as use of an SNS (or NG tube in place of an SNS), and specialists to assess the infants mouth for ties or causes for weak sucking.

The tube that is used in NG feeding is a clear, flexible tube that does not selectively need to go in a nose just because that’s what it’s often used for. It is the perfect length and diameter to use as a DIY supplemental nursing system (SNS). One end of the tube goes in a bottle, one end is placed at the nipple. Baby sucks and gets milk/formula, whatever is in the bottle through the tube, as well as any milk that can be expressed from the breast. This helps develop more productive and deeper sucking because the baby is actually getting “results”, which they may not from an improper latch. The suckling also stimulates mom’s breasts to produce milk, let down, etc.

OP has a lactation consultant, had order a SNS, and she plans to seek more help from the pediatrician. Her baby is gaining weight and doesn’t need a feeding tube.

Well, the fact that OPs LC keeps pushing the nipple shield (which is not a cure all), has not offered a makeshift SNS, has not suggested she go to a paediatric dentist or maxillofacial surgeon, and is basically only giving OP the solution of “just keep trying” tells me she’s of limited use. Not all LCs are created equal, and many don’t have the skill set to dive deeper beyond the simplest and most common of issues; it sounds OP may need someone more qualified. She’s doing a great job (actually excellent job) and is committed to breastfeeding; now she needs to be supported by a team that can assist in that. BF can be fraught with all kinds of fears, doubt, and it’s darned hard work at the beginning, and it’s important to clear up problems as early as possible to help maintain supply and limit frustration that may lead the mother to quit BF.

The reason OP should look into getting the NG a tube sooner is it may afford her a whole week of easier BF before her SNE comes in. There’s a little bit of a learning curve to it too. Having it earlier helps infant by maintaining the sucking muscles and skills he hasn’t been able to master yet , and helps protect the mothers supply because milk is getting removed in a more natural fashion. Babies are more efficient at removing milk than pumps are.

She still has a bunch ahead of her, like solving the latch issue. Which is occurring with both bottles and breast. This could give her peace of mind faster, rather than requiring syringe or cup feeding (bet you didn’t know that could be done either, did you PP?)

Wouldn’t an SLP or OT specializing in feeding be helpful too? This doesn’t sound run of the mill, so I’d also want a medical professional who knows about suck/swallow reflexes who works with higher needs kids. Not sure if there’s a feeding clinic OP can get access too … this seems to go beyond breastfeeding.

Same poster. I would probably be seeking out professionals like this:

https://childrensnational.org/departments/center-for-neuroscience-and-behavioral-medicine/programs-and-services/hearing-and-speech/programs-and-services/feeding

https://www.medstarhealth.org/services/pediatric-feeding-therapy

https://www.aprilandersontherapy.com/
https://www.feedingmatters.org/providers/washington-pediatric-therapy/

[Anonymous]

My baby refused to eat at night for a long time. Similarly, we tried everything the lactation consultant suggested with little progress. Then one day she just started nursing at night like it was perfectly normal. Hang in there! You are a good and dedicated parent. Things will get easier eventually.

[Anonymous]

when my baby was born, I had trouble getting her to nurse, in part because my nipples were flat/inverted. A nurse finally gave me a device like a plastic syringe attached to a plastic cup. The cup fit on my breast, and pulling the syringe created a suction that pulled my nipple out so it was accessible for nursing. That’s when we turned the corner and nursing actually started to work. I don’t know what it was called, but check with a doctor or lactation expert. This was several years ago, but there’s got to be something similar today. It was not a complicated device.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think nipples matter-mine have never gotten bigger than a small eraser head - that seems normal. Is your child tongue tied?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I was told by the lactation consultant and the pediatrician to continue to syringe feed but offer the breast and bottle. We see the pediatrician next week, but I have talked on the phone with him earlier this week and that’s what he suggested I do.

I bought 5 more bottles - Comotomo, Nanobebe, Tommee Tippee silicone, Mam, and Munchkin to try. I will continue to try others if none of these work. I also ordered a SNS that can be used on the breast and bottle.

I do want to breastfeed and give him breast milk since it’s the best choice. We are in a formula shortage and I do not want to be worried about formula. I make 32oz a day for the last week. I want to try to get him to breastfeed or take a bottle and take pumped milk. I would be more willing with formula and I’m open to formula if the pediatrician says to supplement, but I don’t want to do that if we don’t have to.

If your supply is strong which it seems to be if you’re making that much then just pump. Don’t do formula.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - does your baby suckle on anything? Their hand/finger, a pacifier, anything at all?

I am just wildly impressed that the baby is gaining weight with syringe feeds - you are clearly working SO HARD.

If the baby is not sucking on anything I am, like other posters said, concerned about a tongue tie or some other structural mouth issue that has not been caught yet.

OP here. He will breastfeed but can’t get a good latch because of small flat nipples. He will extract like 0.5 out when he does. We tried a nipple shield and he doesn’t like it and will refuse to use it. He will suckle on my breast shallow for comfort. He won’t take a bottle but we are still trying. He will take a pacifier.

We make sure to feed him 1-2 ounces every 1-2 hours. Sometimes when he is really hungry he will suck on it to get the milk out as soon as we put the syringe in his mouth. Most times we go slowly and squirt it into his cheek. The feedings can take about 30 minutes. He eats 20-24 ounces a day.

If he does this than the SNS could work. My daughter was like this and the SNS was a lifesaver for use. We used a DIY SNS systen with feeding tube and by varying the height of the bottle you can control how much effort he has to put in to get milk out. It’s a siphon system so at the beginning of deeds I had the bottle up high so basically got milk with shallow latch and disorganized suck. And lowered it later in the feed when I thought she was mainly comfort nursing. We saw an osteopath who did some bodywork on her and that made a big difference in her ability to suck effectively. Pre SNS we did a lot of syringe feeding but stopped that when we got the SNS to work.

Good luck! I know it is so hard!

OP here. I ordered one but it won’t get here until next week.

As has been posted by other posters up thread - call your LC or ped and see about getting some NG tubes to use the same way you would use the SNS in the meantime. You can start today.

The baby doesn’t need a feeding tube.

Baby is feeding fine. There is no need for a feeding tube. She does need to call her ped and see a GI or feeding specialist or both. An LC isn't going ot help at this point.

DO YOU PEOPLE EVEN READ ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT DIRECTLY AGREE WITH WHATEVER YOU'RE HUNG UP ON?

*NOT ONE PERSON* on this thread has suggested that the baby needs nasogastric feeding. Not a single post has alluded to the fact that this baby is any danger and would need this kind of intervention. Everyone is encouraging seeing proper medical professionals, including a certified lactation consultant, who should be able to help with latching as well as use of an SNS (or NG tube in place of an SNS), and specialists to assess the infants mouth for ties or causes for weak sucking.

The tube that is used in NG feeding is a clear, flexible tube that does not selectively need to go in a nose just because that’s what it’s often used for. It is the perfect length and diameter to use as a DIY supplemental nursing system (SNS). One end of the tube goes in a bottle, one end is placed at the nipple. Baby sucks and gets milk/formula, whatever is in the bottle through the tube, as well as any milk that can be expressed from the breast. This helps develop more productive and deeper sucking because the baby is actually getting “results”, which they may not from an improper latch. The suckling also stimulates mom’s breasts to produce milk, let down, etc.

OP has a lactation consultant, had order a SNS, and she plans to seek more help from the pediatrician. Her baby is gaining weight and doesn’t need a feeding tube.

Well, the fact that OPs LC keeps pushing the nipple shield (which is not a cure all), has not offered a makeshift SNS, has not suggested she go to a paediatric dentist or maxillofacial surgeon, and is basically only giving OP the solution of “just keep trying” tells me she’s of limited use. Not all LCs are created equal, and many don’t have the skill set to dive deeper beyond the simplest and most common of issues; it sounds OP may need someone more qualified. She’s doing a great job (actually excellent job) and is committed to breastfeeding; now she needs to be supported by a team that can assist in that. BF can be fraught with all kinds of fears, doubt, and it’s darned hard work at the beginning, and it’s important to clear up problems as early as possible to help maintain supply and limit frustration that may lead the mother to quit BF.

The reason OP should look into getting the NG a tube sooner is it may afford her a whole week of easier BF before her SNE comes in. There’s a little bit of a learning curve to it too. Having it earlier helps infant by maintaining the sucking muscles and skills he hasn’t been able to master yet , and helps protect the mothers supply because milk is getting removed in a more natural fashion. Babies are more efficient at removing milk than pumps are.

She still has a bunch ahead of her, like solving the latch issue. Which is occurring with both bottles and breast. This could give her peace of mind faster, rather than requiring syringe or cup feeding (bet you didn’t know that could be done either, did you PP?)

You’re annoying and smug. OP said no to a feeding tube or ng tube.

FYI - I have flat nipples, my sister had flat nipples, and two friends of mine had flat nipples. We were all told to use a nipple shield and that eventually corrected the latch. I’m not saying OP doesn’t have something else going on, but her lactation consultant isn’t wrong in suggesting a nipple shield which can help a baby get a better latch.