VERY IMPORTANT!
Are these mothers pumping to keep their milk supply established?
They need to pump as though they are separated from their babies (every 2-3
hours) with an industrial quality pump, i.e.. Medela or Ameda Egnell.
Methods that have worked for me:
*  Make sure the mom stays calm and assure her that a lot of babies act like
this.
*  Use the slow turkey method (mom bottlefeeds in the breastfeeding
positions if possible and slowly tricks baby to breast).
*  Offer the breast as a pacifier in between bottlefeedings given by
significant other.  (This has been my most successful:  sometimes we have to
get the baby on a silicon bottle nipple and then switch to a silicon nipple
shield).
*  Give the baby 15cc of EBM or ABM then switch to the breast when baby is
not frantic over being hungry.
*  Make sure the parents are watching for feeding cues and not letting the
baby get too hungry.  This includes making sure the parents are not using a
pacifier.

P.S.,  I have seen a lot of babies who refused suddenly start nursing on the
eighth day, don't ask me why.  If my parents have been persistent, it just
happens.  (Check their let-down reflex).
Good Luck!
Marguerite Kelly, IBCLC
[log in to unmask]