BREASTFEEDING 101..HELP!!!

[luvablelee]

I got food poisoning when my Baby Boy was three months old, so I stopped breastfeeding him for two weeks. Ever since, I never really got him back on the breast fully. Now he is Five months and  when I try to put him to the breast. I am home and would like to resume breastfeeding but I need him to go to the breast at least twice a day to be able to pump. Ladies, any advice?

[Izzies_Mom]

I'm not sure...I've heard it is hard for them to go back to the breast once they've been on the bottle for a bit.  I would keep pumping and keep trying to nurse him...if all else fails, just keep pumping and bottlefeed him.  At least he'll still get his momma's milk that way.  I know that must be really frustrating.

[chicmommyx3]

At 5 months your baby has become "lazy".  It is much easier to bottle feed because the milk is right there, with breast feeding, the baby has to work at it a bit.  That is why it is so important to not give a bottle to any breast feeding baby for the first few months.  If he won't cooperate, it just may be too late.  Another issue is that you may not have enough anymore and that may be frustrating him as well.  Not breast feeding is not the end of the world.  It is not worth having you or your baby upset.  While it is a wonderful thing, I don't think you should feel badly about it.  Just continue pumping as long as you can and bottle feed him the breast milk.  Even if you only get a little bit, it will be very good for him!

[elighrocker]

keep trying to get him back on the breast

drop some milk on your nipple see if that works.

three weeks is a long time but keep it up a few times a day even if its before a nap or bedtime so that its soothing. babies like to suck so keep that in mind

good luck

[JillCA]

I am so so sorry. If you really want to get him back on the breast, you might see about going to a lactation consultant or even going to a breastfeeding support group in your area. My ped office had a breastfeeding support group..it was target for NB to 3 months. But, they might let you come once you explain your situation.

 

[luvablelee]

Super Moms, Thank you all for the great advice, I will be sure to try them. I am encouraged to keep pumping but if he doesn't go to the breast I will not be able to produce milk, the Law of supply and demand is in affect. I strongly believe my son's perfect health is a result from breastfeeding and had hoped to continue seeing that I am home. Bummer! I will not give-up! and I will be sure to keep you all posted. Thanks again. 

[mommytotwonow]

get ride of the bottles and have a nursing vacation. spend a few days in bed and offer your breast often! when ever you are with him do not give bottles! nurse him before you leave him anywhere and as soon as you get back. you  can do this and it will get him back to breastfeeding well. he may not be happy for a while but when he is hungey he will eat. stick to it and if you need hp pm me!!!!

[Amberleigh81]

It is NOT too late! Go to the breastfeeding moms group here, they are awesome! Also, kellymom.com has info on relactating!

[luvablelee]

Thanks, I will continue trying but I must admit I am afraid of his bark. He screams the house down. I feel the neighbors will call the cops one day..lol.

[luvablelee]

Thanks, I will visit the group. I need to get him to the breast but he screams the house down :-(  Stay Blessed.

[mcsweetly]

Here's what I had to do:  I took More Milk Plus and Goat's Rue to increase my supply.  I nursed and then gave a small supplement to her and pumped for 20 min after each feeding to make my body think it needed more milk.  I also pumped every 2 hours around the clock, even when she was sleeping through the night.  It got my supply up and once up she was happy to nurse.  Also try switching to a slower nipple on the bottle. If he has to work hard at the bottle too he may just go back to nursing.  I got my supplements at Moms-Marketplace.com

Good Luck! I still say breast feeding was one of the hardest things I have ever done!