Only pumping??

Sara - posted on 06/23/2010

I think you should kinda push it. See a lactation consultant, there should be one at the hospital. He may not be getting it right, and that could be causing him to get so frustrated.

Nutritionally he's getting the benefits, but emotionally he's not. Nursing is bonding time for Mommy and Baby, and sometimes babies want to nurse just to be comfy. And babies really *do* do a better job of retrieving milk than a pump does. GL. :)

Emma - posted on 06/23/2010

thank you for that EP community! I'll have to check them out!

Julie - posted on 06/22/2010

Emma I had the exact same problem with my son. He did such a fantastic job at the hospital and when we met with the lactating nurse and took the course at the hospital. Until that night when we came home from the hospital he just wouldn't latch on correctly, would bite it and just got very pissed off. I was in so much pain from him not latching on correctly, bleeding, the whole nine yard. I miss the bonding experience but he was bottle fed because I pumped and had no problems whatsoever with transition from breast to bottle. As long as your child is getting the nutrients that he needs either breast milk or formula and is gaining weight and is healthy that's what matters

Tara - posted on 06/22/2010

I am in the same boat as you! Thank you for asking the question!

Jennifer - posted on 06/21/2010

I have never understood the nipple confusion thing...my little guy and my friends kids never had issues transfering back and forth. I pumped and gave him the breast from the beginning because we had latching issues and milk supply issues. I gave up giving him the breast at about 6 weeks, it just didn't work for us, but I have pumped ever since. My little guy is now 8 mths old and I plan to pump till 1 yr hopefully. If you choose to pump, you do have to stay consistent and not miss pumping continually, or you will drop your milk supply. I have been putting in some formula (1oz-2oz) when necessary..but in the end he is getting mostly breast milk and that is what counts. Pumping becomes time consuming and does take patience as well when your little one starts crawling it does become challenging but in the end I believe it is worth it.
As well don't let anyone tell you you miss out on bonding, you still hold your baby to feed them and cuddle lots...if you feel your missing out, just give him some extra bonding time and skin to skin contact.
In the end do what is right for you and your baby, as long as you are both happy and healthy, that is all that counts

Mandie - posted on 06/21/2010

EPing (exclusively pumping) might be what works best for you and your son then! I was in the exact same situation as you, so I ended up pumping for my daughter from birth til about 6 weeks old, then I got frustrated and tried breastfeeding her again, and she took to it like nothing ever happened. I think nipple confusion works both ways, so he may just take bottles only and then if you wanted you could switch him over when he is older, or just keep pumping if that works for you. There is a community here if you want more support: http://www.circleofmoms.com/exclusively-...

Emma - posted on 06/18/2010

thank you so much. I just want to keep giving him whats best and it's so encouraging to hear from all you ladies :D

As to the PP, how long were you able to pump for your baby? Do you recommend the Tommy Tippee brand? I've never heard of them before.

Virginia - posted on 06/18/2010

My son and I had major problems with nursing, so it just became easier for both of us to stop "breast" feeding. I exclusively pump and give him the milk in the bottle (we use the Tommy Tippee brand because it is shaped exactly like a breast).

Before you feed him, you could try pumping a little bit so your milk is ready for him the moment that he latches on. He may be frustrated with having to wait for your milk to let down. Also, there is nothing wrong with putting him to breast and letting him hang out there for comfort. You are doing great and making the best of a less than ideal situation. Stick to it and good luck!

Amber - posted on 06/18/2010

When I was breastfeeding I was told that it was best for the baby to drink from the breast rather than the bottle because when a mother is breastfeeding her baby, they are also developing a special bond together. And when a child takes the bottle, he/she will then refuse the breast afterwards because they want the bottle vs. the breast.

Also when I stopped breastfeeding and tried to just pump, I found it that my milk slowly started decreasing, which I don't know why?

My daughter also had a hard time latching on the breast so from day 1 of breastfeeding I had used a mexican hat, which is a plastic thing that covers the breast and it also makes it like the nipples are extended. That was the only way my daughter would eat from the breast!

Whatever your choice is, don't give up breastfeeding your child because breastmilk is the most healthiest thing for you and your baby right now. Remember that breastfeeding helps you loose weight, helps your uterus go back to normal, helps your menstural cycle and many more good things!

Hope all goes well :)

Sarah - posted on 06/18/2010

I had a smilar problem with my daughter, so here is what they told me.
yes, the milk is the good stuff, so as long as he's drinking your milk, he's getting all the things he needs.
It is easier for your body to produce milk if your child is sucking, it stimulates the nipple and that makes your body make more milk. Also, without nipple stimulation your milk can dry up (mine did, but it took 5 months- it should be noted that i made an INSANE amount of milk)
It is easier for a child to bottle feed than breas- there is less resistence on the bottle, however your child can get 'nipple confusion' which is when they get the bottle and think that milk only comes from bottles, so they reject the breaast- mine did this too.
I would see if your pediatrician has a lactation consultant, we went to one and ended up using nipple extenders (goofy little plastic nipple covers) and Zoe liked that.
I also tried getting the let down and then feeding her, it would makes her gobble faster at first, which would keep it going and it was less work for her. ( i would get the breasts started with the pump, or most fo the time just manually).
anyway, good luck! it sounds like you're doing everything you can :)