I began working with a baby 3 months ago trying to teach him to go from
nipple shield to the breast.  He was two months old and had used a shield
since birth. Mother tried everything that I had ever heard about.  He was
just not able to feed at the breast.

I advised that she "invite" him as often as she could to feed at the
breast, but not to cause him distress--always a friendly invitation. She
continued the invitation several times a day, always giving him the shield
when he grew frustrated.

A week ago he took the breast once...then twice... and as of 3 days ago, he
is fully breastfeeding.  He is 5 months old!! Mother, Dad, and baby (and
LC) are all so joyful.

I had another client whose baby was 3 months old when she began to feed at
the breast. So we can never say "never."

I do beleive that patience and respect pay off.  But I had one client whose
baby fed at the breast when Mom had a "tantrum."  She told me that she took
off the shield, threw it across the room and looked at the baby and said,
"You will feed from my breast!"  Baby stared at Mom and latched on and is
still feeding at the breast.

I don't think that this technique would have worked with the little 5-month
old boy in the above story. And it certainly wouldn't have fit the mother's
style.

These babies are so unique and are persons in their own right.  We can
never assume that one technique or another will resolve a given problem.  I
have the highest respect for their sense of Self.

And I admire, beyond words, the mothers that I work with.

Pat Gima, IBCLC (Smiling)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin


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