Breast Refusal-Exhausted all idea's

[paradise lost]

Do you use any soap or body lotion or product of any kind on your breasts he could be disliking the taste of? Do you sweat much in your normal routine? I sweated a TON after DD was born and she really didn't like salty nipples, so i'd rinse off before i fed if she was fussy.

The other thing you could do, if you have plenty of milk and he is lazy, is pump until you get letdown and THEN attach him, because it'll be more like the bottle - just pouring into his mouth without him needing to try too hard. You do get sleepy babies and lazy feeders and they're often those who had difficult births, so hang in there, he'll probably catch up soon. How was your labour before the surgery? If he was distressed that could also be making a difference. Though i guess c-sections can seem "easier" from bubs point of view (without all the squeezing and head molding and such), without the physical and hormonal actions of a normal labour and birth lots of c-section babies take a wee while to get into the swing of things, everything from reflexes (like breathing and sucking) to their heart's physiology can take a little while to catch-on that birth has happened.

Babies gain the reflex to suck in the last 4-6 weeks of PG, which is why premmies often can't to begin with, as you know. One would expect a 38week baby to be able to suck, but not always, and boobs are MUCH tougher to get a good grip on than bottles and fingers and such. It could be that his slight prematurity combined with a surgical birth has just set him back a bit with development in that area. He'll probably catch up soon enough so if i were you i'd go with the lact-aid (the tube in the corner of the mouth). It's not a long-term answer, but you probably don't need one - once he's a bit older and a bit stronger and bigger he'll probably get a stronger latch and suck going all on his own.

You're doing a sterling job Nic, all of this on top of a c-section to heal from and a toddler to look after - what a WOMAN! Hang in there hun.

Bec

ETA - i just did a search and read a little on your birth - ruptured membranes, no ctx, c-section? Or did you have ctx but no progression? Sorry you didn't get your natural birth Did he feed in recovery at all? And how's his weight gain going? Were your dates very accurate? I only ask because 38wks is term, but even 10 days difference would make a big difference, iykwim. Also i guess with all bubs we don't know when the optimal time is for any baby to be born - some 34 weekers do great, some 41 weekers have a struggle getting the hang of it all. It just depends i guess. Anyway and good milky/sucky vibes to you both, i hope it all resolves ASAP.