Help me get DS to latch!

[lolar2]

I've posted here about problems DS (now 7 weeks) and I have had nursing, and I've been pumping and supplementing as instructed by the LC. But I only get about 5 oz./ day, whether I pump 8 times or 12 times. I am going to have to quit pumping in 3 weeks-- DH and I both have health problems that are exacerbated by the lack of sleep from my having to pump so much. Even if that means all formula, I just can't do it any longer than that. But I certainly don't WANT it to mean all formula. So what do I do? How do I interest him in latching? Until a few days ago, he was latching and nursing for a few minutes, once a day, every other day or so, but since the weekend he refuses to do even that.

[RootSnort]

Some breast milk is better than no breast milk, so do as much as you can without hurting your health, and know that you're still doing a great thing for your baby!

Are you using adjunctive measures to frequent pumping to help get your supply up? Like herbs?

I am an extreme case, but my baby quit latching at day 2 due to mouth sores and did not want to latch again. However, I've been pumping for 13 months. Pretty early on I started letting myself skip one pumping session at night so that I could get at least 6 continuous hours of sleep a night. It's that important!

Keep us posted!

[lolar2]

bumping

[pumpkinseed]

Try at night during his sleepy times while you are both laying down- sometimes it is easier to get them latched on again when they are drowsy.

[arnoldpdx]

tried a nipple shield?

My daughter had problems latching on from the beginning. A lactation nurse suggested I either pump and supplement or try a nipple shield. I used the nipple shied and she had no problems latching on with that. WARNING: she's now 3 months and I was just able to wean her off the nipple shield. It's been a pain having to remember it when we go out and it makes breatfeeding in public a challenge, but it's kept her on breast milk.

So you may want to try a nipple shield as a last resort before having to switch over to formula. I'm grateful my daughter's been able to nurse all this time and now, she's learned to latch on without it.

Good luck!

[lolar2]

Is it possible to use a nipple shield WITH a SNS? If so, how would that work, mechanically?

[nikihodges]

Originally Posted by lolar2

Is it possible to use a nipple shield WITH a SNS? If so, how would that work, mechanically?

yes just put the tube from the sns under the sheild

[lolar2]

Hm, maybe the SNS would even work better with the nipple shield than without, then! I'll try it next time DS seems to be in a receptive mood.

Can I tape the nipple shield on me, BTW, so it stays on better? I can't think why not, but is there something I'm not thinking of?