Any success stories/tips for getting newborn back on the breast?

[SomedayMom]

I need some encouragement so that this doesn't seem so hopeless...

My son is 1 week old today.  He has not nursed in a day and a half.

The issues seem to be tongue tie (the front has been clipped now, but he may need the posterior done too).  His palate is "bubbled" (? something that goes with the tongue tie).  Possibly assymetry in his face that could be contributing.  B/c of the tongue tie he was chomping instead of sucking and he wasn't getting enough.  I was forced to supplement with EBM b/c he wasn't peeing and pooping and now he is gaining and having perfect output.  He had a few bottles before we got ahold of alternatives.  Now I have a syringe to finger feed and an SNS.  I rented a hospital pump and I'm working on my supply (it's not great but so far I haven't needed formula).

He's doing great with the finger feed.  He seems to be sucking better and not chomping down as much.  I am really struggling with the SNS.  He is at least now trying to latch on, but he seems to have forgotten how.  That was one thing he had that was perfect before and the reason it took some time to figure out that we had issues.  I am thinking that the instant gratification of the SNS might help, but I can't get it coordinated.  So frustrating.

I want him back on the breast.  I have EP'd and I have nursed my 2nd for 2 years.  I don't want to EP again.  I long for what I had with DS2.  This is my last baby and I want to soak him up and enjoy him.

So, any tips?

Were you successful?

I need to know it can be done.  Or that I'm not horrible if I can't keep up...

[crystleyz42]

You are doing great!  Congrats on not needing formula since it sounds like that is a goal or yours!  A hospital grade pump will help with that while you keep your supply going strong, and you can also look into using your finger-feeder as a SNS (supplemental nursing system) to give pumped milk to your baby while you two are working on getting to breast.

Lots of skin-to-skin time - diaper only on baby, you undressed from waist up.  Lay at a 45 degree angle fully supported with pillows from underneath from knees up to neck.  Blanket over two of you for warmth.  Let baby try to crawl to breast and self attach while you two are tummy-to-tummy!  Might take time - 1 hr? -- no problem with giving baby lots of time - repeatedly over several days - to bond like this with you.  You two can doze (as long as you are in a safe place) in this tummy-to-tummy position.

Short term: Find you LLL leader.  She can help you by phone or in person - no need to wait for a group meeting.  http://www.llli.org/resources/assistance.html?m=0,0

Long Term: Nancy Morbacher, who spent lots of time working with moms who were EPers and has a lot of good info in her book "Breasfeeding Made Simple- 2nd edition"  Even info about weaning from bottle to breast if you need.

Good luck!