Sorry to hear about your difficulties with breastfeeding. I have a couple of questions for you. Did the OT (occupational therapist) give you any ideas of things to do for your DD's disorganized sucking? If not, you may want to give her a call and see if she has any suggestions. I am a speech therapist and up here in Northern MN we are the people who deal with feeding issues (poor suck-swallow-breathe coordination, poor latch), but it differs from region to region regarding if occupational therapists or speech therapists address the issues.
It can get better and you shouldn't need to stop breastfeeding. Call the LC/OT and find out what she would suggest you try. Sometimes doing non-nutritive sucking on a pacifier can help. Have you tried a pacifier? I know that there is the whole nipple confusion thing, but sometimes some kiddos really benefit from practicing a little bit. I would ask the LC/OT if that would be recommended. Other things you might try. . . swaddling her really tightly keeps her from having to keep her body calm and organized so she can just concentrate on eating. Keep the room that you are in calm and quiet if possible. Sometimes rocking can help. Keep the distractions to a minimum. Can you try cup feeding/finger feeding to help her get her nutrition? Are you pumping?
Babies mouths change as they get bigger, so things can be good initially and then get worse. Things can get better again. Your DD just needs some help to figure it all out. Don't give up. Call the LC/OT and find out what you can do to help her figure it out. That is part of her job too. If she can't give you any suggestions, find someone who can. Sometimes, we have kiddos come back for regular appointments for a few weeks just to make sure that things are getting better.
Sorry this is a bit scattered. I haven't been in the work mode for two months. If you have any more questions, I can certainly find out some answers for you. I work with a great speech therapist who works with many babies with feeding difficulties. Good luck. Don't give up! Find a good resource that you can use to answer your questions. It can get better!!
It can get better and you shouldn't need to stop breastfeeding. Call the LC/OT and find out what she would suggest you try. Sometimes doing non-nutritive sucking on a pacifier can help. Have you tried a pacifier? I know that there is the whole nipple confusion thing, but sometimes some kiddos really benefit from practicing a little bit. I would ask the LC/OT if that would be recommended. Other things you might try. . . swaddling her really tightly keeps her from having to keep her body calm and organized so she can just concentrate on eating. Keep the room that you are in calm and quiet if possible. Sometimes rocking can help. Keep the distractions to a minimum. Can you try cup feeding/finger feeding to help her get her nutrition? Are you pumping?
Babies mouths change as they get bigger, so things can be good initially and then get worse. Things can get better again. Your DD just needs some help to figure it all out. Don't give up. Call the LC/OT and find out what you can do to help her figure it out. That is part of her job too. If she can't give you any suggestions, find someone who can. Sometimes, we have kiddos come back for regular appointments for a few weeks just to make sure that things are getting better.
Sorry this is a bit scattered. I haven't been in the work mode for two months. If you have any more questions, I can certainly find out some answers for you. I work with a great speech therapist who works with many babies with feeding difficulties. Good luck. Don't give up! Find a good resource that you can use to answer your questions. It can get better!!
