Q: My baby is 3 weeks old. Recently she was very sick and unable to nurse. Her doctor told me to express and bottle feed until she felt better. My problem is now that she is feeling fine, she gets very upset and cries frantically whenever I put her to breast. I end up having to express and give her a bottle. How can I get her back to breast without causing us both a lot of unneeded stress?
A: Babies that began by breastfeeding will usually return to the breast with encouragement. Continue pumping your milk, but stop feeding her with a bottle. Feed her with a little dropper or a small cup (something like a shot glass). If you need help in learning how to do this, talk to your local lactation consultant. Do not use a pacifier with her right now. Begin holding her skin to skin. Dress her only in a diaper and a cap. Wear a button up shirt and no bra. Slide her in your shirt and carry her around so that your skin touches. Do this most of the day. After a few feedings with the dropper or cup, offer her your breast in a casual way. If she doesn’t nurse, go ahead and feed her with the dropper and cup again. Usually babies will realize that they miss the sucking that the breast gives them and will latch on and feed. Try feeding her when she first shows signs of hunger before she gets to the crying stage. She has probably gotten used to the faster flow of the bottle. I usually tell moms “Let’s help her forget about the bottle for a while!” And it usually works. It is always important to continue to feed your baby well while working on re-teaching her to latch. Seek help if you find this doesn’t work for you within a day or so. Good Luck! My experience has been very positive with moms in your type of situation.
By Ann Calandro
BSN, RNC, IBCLC Lactation Consultant
