Jan,
I definately agree that mothers have a very hard time with breast refusal
emotionally. I try hard to reframe this for them as the baby being frustrated
at not knowing how to take the breast, and go into some detail about the
differences between breastfeeding and bottlefeeding, to validate this.
I suspect that hormonal influences help negate the negative effects of
sore nipples, the mom has the prolactin and oytocin flowing to promote
attachment and enjoyment of breastfeeding, whereas the mom whose baby refuses
the breast has reduced hormonal support for attachment as well as the feeling
that her baby is rejecting her. My heart goes out to these moms.
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC