Dear Friends:
Great posts about this frustrating topic. Unfortunately, breast refusal
pays some of my expenses. I see it most often as a result of forcing latch-on
in the hospital. I have had moms tell me that the hospital staff said "Keep
your hands away, we'll do it" when baby was at breast. Incredible. Sometimes
moms get nipple trauma, along with a baby who will not latch, and who may
scream at the sight of a breast.
At other times, it is a mom who is moving too much and the baby just
can't get it. Imagine the pitcher trying to pitch when the catcher is moving
the mitt all around. It doesn't work.
Stopping any feeding at breast for a day or two works wonders. Nipples
heal. Baby gets calories via cup/spoon/bottle and everybody gets to take a
deep breath and start again. As much skin-to-skin as possible, and also
bottle feeding in a breastfeeding style: skin-to-skin, switching sides with
each feed, touching baby's lip and waiting for a gape so baby can bring the
bottle teat in. Too many people just stick the bottle in baby's mouth, which
does not help.; the baby has to be encouraged to reach out.
Make sure that the bottle teat is like a peg is helpful; don't want to
get baby used to the "orthodontic" shape. Use of 2 or 3 different teats, so
that baby gets a different teat each feed can keep baby from getting used to
one shape all the time. The only consistency is mom.
Remedial co-bathing can be good. Mom has been pumping plenty, so she
feels good about being half-way there and providing all her baby needs.
It always takes longer than Mom wants. She needs lots of encouragement and
support.
It is a dismal sign that we see so many babies like this. Fortunately,
our skills get to improve with lots of practice.
Warmly,
Nikki Lee RN, MSN, Mother of 2, IBCLC, CIMI
craniosacral therapy practitioner; childbirth educator
Elkins Park (a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; northeastern USA)
supporting the WHO Code and the Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative
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