Hello again,
Today I had two mothers with latch on problems call me. I would like your
advice.
Mom no.1: 3rd child, 11 days old. Tried bf 1st child, slow weight gain at
one month, was made to feed ABM by doctor (he wouldn't let her leave the
clinic before he saw her feeding a bottle!). Stopped bf shortly thereafter.
2nd child - didn't bf from birth, felt she had no milk, no engorgement.
This baby - bf well first 3 days in hospital, felt she had lots of milk.
The day she got home baby fussed all night, wouldn't latch well, nursing
all night on and off. Father couldn't stand it any more, got a bottle of
ABM, the baby ate one ounce, slept for 4 hrs. Next few days mother nursed
and gave ABM in a bottle, and for the last 3 days baby refusing the breast
completely.
Sounds like nipple confusion. Mother very eager to succeed bf this time.
Mom no.2: 1st baby, 5 days old. Mother healthy, birth non medicated. Baby 5
pounds at birth. Mother has flat, but not inverted nipples, quite big
breasts. Was told in hospital she will have a hard time, or not be able at
all, to nurse because of nipples. Baby given a lot of glucose water and ABM
in hospital, because loosing 10% of birthweight by two days. Mother was
told baby would dehyrate and get a fever if she insisted on bf. Gained
weight on day 3. Mom got home yesterday. Tried bf all night, with and
without silicone nipple shields. Baby doesn't latch, and gets ABM from a
bottle. I saw mother and baby today. Breasts are soft, mother leaked some
milk at night. Baby tried to latch on several times, but breast doesn't
stay in her mouth. Sucked a little weak at my finger, and toungue thrusts.
Got frustrated (mom and baby), mom gave ABM in bottle, and baby ate well
and fell asleep. Mother wants to nurse very much.
It is very hard to help this kind of problems - moms (dads) and baby get
frustrated, get ABM in a bottle, baby eats well, falls asleep, everyone is
releived, but bf goes down the drain...With the second mom I can see
mismanagement in the hospital (of course they don't have a LC), but how can
I help at the present state? (I didn't know mom before).
Sorry for this being so long.
Mira Leibovich, MD
Family Medicine Specialist
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