Baby refusing the breast completely

[yonderfive]

My baby won't breastfeed. He screams when I try and put him to the breast.
I've tried pumping, an SNS system, skin to skin - everything. Nothing works. It's heartbreaking.
I don't know what to do now.
Can anyone recommend anything else I could try?
Or recommend a lactation consultant?
In the Leeds area.
Would a consultant even be able to help?
Should I give up? I really don't want to 😢

How old is your baby OP?

@Findmeatthebeach

How old is your baby OP?

He's 11 weeks 😢 He's been predominantly formula fed, but I wanted to combi feed. But he just hates it, I've now hardly got a milk supply. Heartbroken.

And how long since they last fed?

Have they checked tongue tie?
Having this resolved can help in some cases. Although it didn't help my baby. I had the same issue. Baby crying every time I put nipple to mouth. I now use formula and expressed milk. It is hard when they don't take the nipple. I feel your pain

It will be really challenging if you haven't established bf with DC.

Bottles are easier for babies to feed from - as in it's less effort - than bf. It's also a different technique to get milk out.

From experience it's harder to get a hungry baby to latch on (currently bf 3rd child and all were/are ebf). I'd try breast feeding when they're peckish but not actually hungry. Look for feeding cues' sticking out tongue, moving lips, following you closely with eyes if you're the primary feeder.

Try to bf before every bottle feed (to establish supply) and gradually lengthen the amount of time on the breast.

@PinkFlower232

Have they checked tongue tie? Having this resolved can help in some cases. Although it didn't help my baby. I had the same issue. Baby crying every time I put nipple to mouth. I now use formula and expressed milk. It is hard when they don't take the nipple. I feel your pain

I had his tt cut at 9 weeks but it made no difference 😢

If he's been predominantly ff then you will struggle and I would engage a lactation consultant for specialist support asap. As breastfeeding not established there is very little anyone here can advise to make him go on and especially if your supply is low - bottles are easier for them in that regard! So I'd seek an expert ASAP if that's what you want :)

You will likely need to go privately as the NHS won't refer you unless weight gain issues (which I assume not as is feeding from bottle?).

Get the support you need but it may also be worth seeking help to accept and move on from how your feeding journey has gone, and enjoy your baby. Not to undermine your feelings and want to breastfeed but just assuring you nothing is wrong with what you've done! I say this as someone who ebf and also faced tongue tie issues.