Please help - my baby has forgotten how to breastfeed?

[LiliAnjelika]

My baby is 5 weeks old and has been breastfeeding almost fine up til now - he has always had a little bit of a weak suck but we've managed. He has had one bottle a day but like I say, we've managed, and he's actually gained 3lb in 2 wks. Last night however, I could not get him to attach at all. He kept on slipping off, not being able to get a rhythm going, getting hysterical. I spent two hours in the middle of the night trying to get him to attach but to little avail; we both ended up sobbing/hysterical. He seems to have forgotten how to do it. Is this possible? Now I have had to express and feed him from a bottle to stop my supply from drying up. I am so stressed about it and have had little help from local hospital/midwife team who only give help to babies 4wks and under! Anyone had any experience of this. I'm at the end of my tether and can't stop crying - feel like a failure etc

Anyone able to help?

Are your breasts very full of milk?

I am sure somebody will be along with the number of the La Lech League or NCT in a minute but the only time this happened to me was when DS1 was poorly with a sore throat or an ear infection and sucking was hurting him. Oh and another occasion when he was about 7 weeks when I came to the conclusion his teeth were hurting him. He was fine after some Calpol. Having experienced bf DS2 I think DS1 had a weak suck but we did get back into the swing of things in the end. All is not lost.

Have you tried him on the breast since the bottle?

Thanks you so much. His big sister has a cold so maybe he has got a cold. And teeth is a possibility because his gums are very hard - he's very big and I could see the teeth in his gums when he was born. I'll go check. Yes, I've tried again with breast but no good.

Thanks you so much. His big sister has a cold so maybe he has got a cold. And teeth is a possibility because his gums are very hard - he's very big and I could see the teeth in his gums when he was born. I'll go check. Yes, I've tried again with breast but no good.

i should add that he had thrush on his tongue up until yesterday and the problem only started when the thrush cleared! How weird is that. Maybe his mouth feels different?

When this happened to me it was because my breasts were too full, and they changed the shape of my nipple making it hard for DS to latch on. If this could be the case for you, what about expressing a little milk off and then 'shaping' the nipple by pinching it gently at the edge of the areola to help him get a mouthful? I ended up doing this in the middle of the night, with DP pinching one side and me pinching the other so LO could get his gob round it!

Keep posting, there are loads of people here who will help you.

My boobs were quite full so I'll follow your advice next time. However, they're always full - and bloody massive. It hasn't been too much of a problem. The worst thing is facing the idea thata it might be the end of bf, and the guilt that comes with that. I bf dd1 for 14 months and loved it.

bump

It could be a sore mouth, teeth or even a bunged up nose - when any of mine have been like that i've used saline nose drops just in case and usually been successful - your chemist should make you up a dropper bottle if you ask.When they're very small, colds aren't easy to spot because babies tend to swallow the snot- bleurrgh rather than it emerging out of their nose so they can get very congested high in their nose without any sign on the outside

Lili, it sounds hard but keeping calm is the best way to cope.Try lying down in a silent darkened room with him allowing him unfettered aspect to your breasts.Put him up close so that he can root and nuzzle in his own time.

Helpline of Assoc. for Breastfeeding Mothers is very good too..if I could find the number.
Hang on!

Here you go,Check out the website too

I have contacted la leche league who were quite helpful - someone phoned me back. Not as good as MN though! I'll try Assoc of Bf Mothers.

Stay calm and keep him near to the breast.

thanks - will try to stay positive - i do feel a little better - i just expressed 10 oz off boobs so i know its not supply!

Have you tried feeding him a little from the bottle so he is not ravenous and desparate and then trying to get him to latch on again? He might manage it when he is a bit calmer. Move the bottle out of his sight though as he may want to take the easy option.

This won't necessarily mean the end of bf. So long as you keep expressing your supply isn't in imminent danger of drying up.

You are doing a great job. Please don't beat yourself up.

10 oz!!!!

Maybe cup feeding too?
I'd try not to get him too used to the bottle as it is easier for them than the breast.