How do I switch from bottle feeding to breastfeeding?
ByMy daughter is 3 days old, and I am breastfeeding her. I’ve given her a bottle a couple of times after pumping my breasts, and now she does not want to breastfeed at all. She will not open her mouth, and even if she opens her mouth slightly, she sucks extremely lightly as if she was sucking on a bottle nipple. I don’t know what to do, and I don’t want to starve her.
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7 Comments
April 8th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Contact your midwife, health visitor or la leche league.
April 8th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
This is why you shouldn’t offer bottles until breastfeeding is well-established…it can cause nipple confusion.
At this point, you’ll need to attempt to not give her any bottles. If she’s not latching on correctly, you are going to have to help her. When it’s time for a feeding, run your nipple across her lips until she opens wide. It may take a few times. Then latch her on correctly. If you are still having trouble, go see a lactation consultant as soon as possible. You can find one by calling your local hospital or La Leche League.
ADDING ON…please ignore the person suggesting putting honey on your nipple. You NEVER give a child under a year old honey…it can cause botulism!
April 8th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
When you need to feed hand express a little so ur nipple has milk on it, this will help her to know what is expected of her. At this age she can still learn quite easily but if you keep expressing and bottle feeding your supply will not be established properly. Its generally not a good idea to introduce bottles (of formula or breast milk) until about 4 weeks old, this gives bub a chance to become accustomed to feeding and you a chance to establish a good supply. Feeding problems are really really common this early on so keep trying and don’t let this put you off, breastfeeding is one of the most rewarding parts of mothering once you get it sorted out
Good luck and congratulations on ur new daughter!
Please please please DO NOT ever use honey, it can cause infant botulism which can be fatal in babies.
April 8th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
Feeding from a bottle is easier for a baby, so when you do bottle feed her, make her work a bit for it, like rub it on her top lip and make her open her mouth wide as she would for a breast. Don’t just poke the bottle teat in.
At 3 days old, she should be pretty easy to get back to breastfeeding, just tease her lip with your nipple a bit. Try some skin on skin contact, lay with just a bra or nothing at all, and have her with as little clothing as the weather allows. Don’t make her take your breast, just position her with her face close to your breast, and wait for her to want it. Then adjust the position if she is only putting the nipple in her mouth, you really need to get a good mouthful of breast in there.
Babies generally won’t starve themselves, she should eventually take the breast, however it sounds like you don’t want her too upset, understandably, so I would just keep trying, and if you think she is getting too upset, give her the bottle, but just make sure you pretend it’s a breast to give it to her.
Good luck!
April 8th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Its happens don’t u worry.Let her suck your nipple as much as u can,the more she sucks it ll be easier for her and she ll enjoy breastfeeding.U can try putting a little of honey in your nipple when u breastfeed her,and once she starts feeding properly stop applying honey.All d best hopes it works for u.
April 8th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Just wait it out. It will be hard hearing your daughter cry and fuss, but if you refuse to offer her a bottle eventually she’ll give in and take the breast. Once she does, hold off on the bottles for a few weeks and let her nurse exclusively. It’s very possible for a baby to take breast and bottle, both my kids did with no problem. Good luck!
April 8th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Completely stop bottle feeds until she is at least a month old if you can.
Putting her on exclusive breastfeeds won’t starve her, she may be going through a bit of nipple confusion tho & as a new one needs to learn to properly breastfeed.
As always check la leche leagues website for breastfeeding tips & ask the hospital you birthed at if they offer breastfeeding consultations.
Hope this helps a lil bit.
Best of luck!
Being able to breastfeed your child is a blessing, but if it doesn’t work out after giving it your best shot don’t feel bad.
Having a healthy baby is what is the most important.