Ayden Will NOT stay Latched...Please help!!!!

[kierstynsmommy]

Good Morning Ladies!
As many know, I had my baby last Wednesday...well, we are not doing so well with breastfeeding and it is driving me up the walls! I feel so horrible and I know I shouldnt, but I really cannot help it. When it is feeding time, he will latch on for like 2 sucks at a time and then unlatch...he does this like 3 times and by the 4th, he will not latch on anymore...he just turns his head side to side frantically and cries. I try to burp him, calm him down with the pacifier, and have even tried putting some sugar water on my nipples to make him latch, all of which doesnt work. It makes both of us mad and frustrated. Last night I was done breastfeeding and cried myself to sleep after feeding him formula from a bottle. Is there any other tricks anyone knows of?!?!? My daughter was never like this when she fed, so this is new to me. This along with my husband being gone and having a 2 year old is really getting to me...i dont think I have ever cried so much in my life until I had Ayden.

So I guess what I am looking for is someone to give me some more hints to make him stay latched, or someone to tell me that it is ok not to breastfeed....he did get the colostrum and has breastfed for a week...I at least wanted to go until 3 months, but at this rate, it will never happen. Please share anything that you think that I might need to hear! Thanks in advance ladies! Have a good Valentines Day!

[pertykitty]

let me say i understand your emotions with dh gone right now, mine is too out on the nimitz.  addison did that some too, she would just fight the breast. i see you having 2 options right now:
1. work with a lactation consultant to help both of you get through this
2. go formula or pump.

only you can choose.  will you be upset later if you go to formula? breastfeeding can be difficult at first, but it can be done. i hope the best for you

[AndiJ78]

First, contact a lactation consultant. If you are committed to nursing, ditch the bottle for a few more weeks at least. It is leading to confusion in him, the bottle is easier and that is probably his frustration, he has to work to get breast milk from the breast, but not so much with a bottle.

Make sure you are feeding him before he cries, he will be less frustrated and more likely to be patient with it. Nursing is a huge commitment, takes a lot of patience and time. My boys rarely let me have a 15 minute break that age. They would nurse for extended periods, sleep and wake up to start all over again. With my first I was stunned at how hard it was. There were no 2 hour breaks between feedings, it was literally almost constant.

[pertykitty]

once you get past the first month it becomes so much easier, there is a light at the end of the tunnel even though it must not seem like it.  while i am all for breastfeeding, its also your choice, but remember if you get her used to that bottle now, she most likely wont accept your breast should you change your mind.

[ma2isiah]

Did this just start? Was he breastfeeding well before?
One suggestion from reading your post....Do you have a breastpump? If so, try to pump until you let down and then latch him, the milk will be right there easy for him and hopefully he will stay latched. Breastfeeding is hard in the beginning, but it gets so much easier. Don't give up! Call your hospital and see a lactation consultant or call la leche league asap! Good luck!

Also I am sorry your husband is gone! It is hard to take care of toddler and a newborn. Do you have friends or family that could help you?

[tmv]

Congratulations on making through the first week. I'm with those that say don't give up. He may just be fussy or have a little stuffy nose which is normal in the newborn. For best latch on's do not use a pacifier. Until your success in breastfeeding is well underway and you know for certain he is getting plenty milk should you use a pacifier.

Also, try different positions. Make sure you are comfortable as well as he is. Try to get the most of the areola into his mouth on each of the attempts or you will be sore. If you have a breast pump, you can pump enough to pull out your nipple and try quickly to put him to the breast.

Don't hesitate to call a lactation consultant. Get in touch with the hospital that you delivered and they will help you out. Keep up the good work.

[Me2mommy2b]

Do you support your breast?  Do you lead your nipple into his mouth?  If you press on your nipple, do you see milk coming out?  You might need to massage your breasts for a little bit before a feeding session.  Sometimes a warm shower or a warm compress help the let down.  I used to massage my breasts a lot in the beginning to "clean out" those milk ducts (my mom calls it cleaning out the ducts to help the flow).  I understand your frustration but he'll get the hang of it as will you.  Like everyone else suggested, do not hesitate to contact LLL in your area.  Good luck.

[peekawho]

Is he tongue tied?  Your ped should be able to tell in a few seconds, or a good LC can tell.  That's a common reason for difficulty breastfeeding.