[mrsrwbabe]

My DS is 3 months old and lately has been refusing the breast. He screams and cries everytime he comes near it. He will take a bottle of pumped bm just fine but wont nurse unless he is sleepy. To make matters worse I go back to work tomorrow and I am stressing about my supply.<br>
I managed to nurse DD until she was 15 months with the help of my pump and fenugreek but I am getting paranoid here. Help!!!

 

[alegna]

Sounds like nipple confusion/preference. I would eliminate ALL bottles and pacifiers while you're together.<br><br>
good luck!<br><br>
-Angela

 

[JamieCatheryn]

That happened with my DS at 3 months, the setting off factor was a long car trip (3 days on the road) and he would not nurse in the car. Once we were out, I made sure to spend time in peace alone with him. One thing that's suggested is to devote some time to do nothing but lay around topless with your baby.<br><br>
Only have someone give the bottles if you absolutely need to, get someone else to don't fed them yourself while you're there or stay in the room during it. You could try having someone feed with an open cup instead do reduce nipple preference, but it takes being very careful and a little spilling maybe. I know it's scarey wondering if you'll get enough expressed milk, trying to build up some while still together and still nursing. But relax as much as you can. You'll likely find there's TONS of milk there during seperations at work, pump often as you can while apart I'm sure you'll get plenty. I know going back to college my breasts were like rocks after 1 class, the milk literally sprayed into the bottle with very little actual pumping.

 

[mb05]

I'm so sorry you're experiencing this, especially the day before you return to work. I remember going back to work when my 1st was only 9 weeks old. It's difficult.<br><br>
Maybe your baby is picking up on your stress? <b>Maybe your added stress has affected your let-down and your baby likes the quick let-down of a bottle?</b> Just in case, you may want to ask your caregiver to burp him frequently (like after every ounce) to simulate the time it takes for a nursing session and allow him to become satiated better. Your caregiver might say that he "downed" the bottle in just a few minutes, I need more. Also, most caregivers aren't familiar with breastfed babies, only formula fed babies. You know what's best. You're his mommy.<br><br>
Also, you can estimate the amount of bm your baby will need by multiplying his weight by 2.5 ounces... then, divide this number by the number of feeding sessions he normally has in a 24 hour period. So, if he's 10 lbs mulitiply 10 by 2.5 and then divide by the number of feedings.<br><br>
The pp's gave *great* suggestions. And, although I only worked maybe 15 hours a week for about 8 months, I think I used each one of these suggestions... they were great!<br><br>
To help keep up your supply since you'll be pumping, try to get extra sessions in while you're at work when you can... nurse on-demand when you're home. Rest!<br><br>
take care,<br>
carla<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">