Dee Dee,
You're doing the right thing.  This baby doesn't understand why the breast and
this wonderful comfort from his mother was withheld for 3 weeks.  One of the
strengths of humans is their ability to cope and adapt.  This baby adapted by
learning how to get along without nursing.  He found other ways to meet his
needs for food and comfort.    Now when nursing  is reintroduced he is not
able to trust easily again.  This is almost like a lover that has been
betrayed.  In order to get this child to nurse/trust again he must be "wooed".
Wooing takes time, sometimes longer than the mother thinks it should, (perhaps
weeks) and persistance.
Encourage the mother to do as much skin to skin loving as possible, and be
sure she knows to do it with no pressure on the infant to nurse, but by
remaining available and willing to nurse.  Taking baths together and sleeping
together are wonderful.  She should also try to carry him as much as possible,
perhaps in one of the sling type carriers.  She can offer the breast
especially when the baby is sleepy or in a light sleep.  Most babies who have
been well nursed will respond well to this and resume nursing.  But, I have
seen a few who do not.  At the very worst, the mom and baby will do a lot of
loving and continue their close relationship.

Jane Bradshaw, RN, BSN, IBCLC
Lynchburg, VA


I need some input for a mother I saw today.  She became ill when her infant
was 6 months and had to be hospitalized.  She was put on antibiotics that
she was told were incompatible with breastfeeding.  Baby was off breast for
3 weeks.  (I know, mismanaged but I had no input at this point!)  Prior to
this, he had never had a bottle and mom was planning to nurse at least 2
years.  Last Sunday, she went to put him back to breast (she had pumped to
keep her supply up) and he refused!  Has rejected breast since, screaming
each time she tries.

I saw her for the first time today.  He makes no attempt to latch, just
screams as she puts him into position.  While she was giving him a bottle, I
had her turn him to the breast.  He latched to nipple, sort of, only if
bottle nipple was also in mouth.  I tried a nipple shield, he suckled a
little, then started screaming again.  He will take her pumped milk from the
bottle.

I have suggested cuddling/loving him to breast, offer breast when he's
sleepy, try rebirthing (he might be too old but it won't hurt anything), but
don't force him since it makes him more resistent.  She was excited when I
told her I would ask input from a source of 2000 experts.

Any suggestions????

DeDe Vance RN, CLC