My 4 month old stopped nursing because of her reflux. She didn't abandon the breast altogether, but she only took a few meals off the breast or ate very little. Over the past couple months, the only breast meal would be the first of the day. Over the past week she has refused that one as well. :(
I've been pumping the whole time and she's only eaten bm her whole life. Now that she doesn't eat off the breast at all, I'm questioning the whole pumping thing. I should probably be using that time to be with her and play with her, but I want her to have breastmilk. What I REALLY want is for her to get back on the breast. I figure I have about 3 days before I give up and move to formula.

Maybe I should add that her refusal is her turning her head and crying every time I put a boob near her.

Someone please tell me they had this problem and there's a solution.

Michelle

My daughter has trouble feeding as she is in pain still but rarely refuses the breast but will often latch on and then muck around or suck/feed a bit then it becomes too much for her.

The best ways i have found her to latch and feed is:

1) Walk round the room while feeding it distracts her
2) Do as much skin to skin feeding as you can, try getting her to latch and feed in the bath together i find this works well for us!!
3) I will often feed with not many clothes on:oops: as this seems to help her calm down
4) Try sleep feeding, when she is sleepy or asleep and try to get her to latch on and feed. As they are sleepy they tend not to be too aware

Check out this link for great advice on getting your baby back on the breast!

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html

Hi Michelle,

Wanted to say hi and welcome to IRD. I notice you are from TX, I spent the day yesterday with my cousins daughter that has recently moved to TX and was home here visiting. She is not use to that heat yet!

I am the grandmother, so sorry no tips on breastfeeding from me.

But I wonder if dd reflux is getting worse and that is why she is having the problem of wanting to eat? When does she see her dr again? I'd put a call into the dr.
:hug:

Best wishes
:xnz245:

Is she still taking the bm from the bottle, or is she also refusing that?

If you have the time, energy and desire to pump, I'd keep it up. If your baby will take b'milk, it is a good thing--it's easier on the tummy than formula. (That's not to say that formula is evil; however, if your baby is already taking bm well and you have the desire to nurse/pump, it's such a wonderful thing.)

I agree with the advice you were already given and if possible, I'd also try to contact a lactation consultant. They can be so helpful when it comes to babies not wanting to latch/stay on. It could be a simple matter of her being uncomfortable and needing a different position, etc.

I'm sorry you're having all this difficulty and I so hope your dd starts nursing well again. :hug: