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This is a discussion on Nip preference? within the Breastfeeding forums, part of the Feeding Baby category; my 8 week old and i got off to a difficult start with bf'ing (i had babdly cracked nips ...
my 8 week old and i got off to a difficult start with bf'ing (i had babdly cracked nips and quit for a week..started bf'ing again with reglan to help and now am trying to build my supply back up). my problem is that sometimes she literally screams when i try to get her to latch on and refuses to nurse. knowing she's probably hungry, i reluctantly give her a bottle of formula. how do i work on this without starving her? i know some would say "she'll eat when she's hungry", but she gets herself so upset i'm not sure that would work at all.
I am sure that is frustrating. I am sure you will get great answers here. One thing I know is that each time you offer her formula you are hurting your supply and you are increasing the chance of her learning that the bottle is much easier to get milk from than you. In my experience offering to feed her before she is starving can help because she won't get so upset. Also, while i know it is hard try to remain calm...it will help her relax too. I remember with my first I would get so tense when he didn't latch right on to eat. I am certain that made it worse for both of us. Good luck and good for you to want to keep trying. You can do it if you want to!
Okay when Dario gets frustrated and will not latch on I bounce him on an exercise ball while feeding him. All babies have trouble latching on at times, it takes energy when they are tired and hungry. I would try everything in your power before giving her a bottle if you want to get your supply back. Another trick is BF her in the bathtub the warmth and skin to skin contact has helped me a lot. Another thing is do not wait until she is really hungry. In the evening I feed Dario every hour from about 4 pm until he goes to bed. This keeps him from getting too upset to eat.
also, iirc i gave you info in the other thread about alternative feeding methods.
the more bottles you keep giving, the less stimulation you are getting to maintain/build a milk supply.
first rule is feed the baby, always. however, it does NOT need to be with a fake nipple. *if* the baby needs supplemented, the best supplement is your own expressed milk, if not available expressed milk from another mother is next best, then aim. i would try to nurse VERY frequently, before baby is even exhibiting hunger cues (becoming more alert, mouthing hands etc).
if you aren't comfortable cupfeeding,m spoonfeeding etc, i really would suggest getting an sns so the baby can be supplemented AT the breast at least, to help fix the latch and stimulate your supply.
Reilly is now 12 weeks old and as of two weeks ago she hasn't had a bottle!! I weaned her off slowly to build my supply up and it worked. We also went away for xmas and dh was a big help so I was able to spend more time focusing on the baby and bfing.
So, we did it and I'm so proud to have her back to 100% breastfeeding!! It's extremely time consuming....duh..lolol..a fact I'd forgotten, but it's so worth it. I just nurse on demand all day and she sleeps through the night, miraculously.
That's great! All your hard work has really paid off. Be very proud of yourself, mama!
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Kara (formerly wannaBmomma)
Co-Host of the Breastfeeding Forum
If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, you will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.
--Henry David Thoreau
Nip preference?
ANA MARIA
and mama to 2 
cubs
That's great! All your hard work has really paid off. Be very proud of yourself, mama!
