Refusing the boob

My gorgeous little boy is just over four months old and although he's just perfect, feeding has been nothing but trouble right from the start. I'm really proud that we've kept going with it but I don't think its going to last. I just can't put him through it anymore.

I've mainly had trouble feeding him on the right bb. I had mastitis in it twice and problems latching him on. Now, he's completely refusing to take it. I can't even get his head near the boob but when I put him onto the left side, he sucks away!! I've tried every single position under the sun to get him to take the right side but he just wont have a bar of it. I even expressed out of the right side only and he wouldn't take it - so I don't know if the right side can 'taste' any different?? When I express from both sides, he'll take it. So strange.

Just lately, he's also started refusing the left boob - to the point where I've had to express and give him ebm in a bottle - which he takes no problem at all.

BF is just a nightmare for us and always has been - poor Luke screams until he can hardly breathe and I can't put him through it anymore. I don't know if anyone has any other suggestions - I feel like I've tried everything. He'll take the bottle without a problem though, it's amazing. I just don't think he likes the boob - which is really quite upsetting for me.

I guess we'll be looking into getting him onto formula as I'm worried that expressing alone will bring the mastitis back. If we do go down the road of weaning him now - how do I stop my massive milk supply???? Its all very confusing!!

Thanks.

Kelly xxx

Hi,

You've done a fabulous job with your little one under trying circumstances. No one would have an issue with you if you wanted to call it quites now.
However, babies are born to breastfeed. They are hardwired to do it, so when they find it difficult, or they can't do it, it is often because they have a physical problem doing it. Some mothers find it useful to get their baby checked out by a osteopath or a chiropractor experienced in working with babies. No doubt you have seen plenty of breastfeeding experts already, but I would be happy to refer you to some of the top people in Perth - just private message me and I can give you some names.
Warm Regards
Barb

Thanks for the advice Barb - funnily enough I've already tried that too!!! Luke had quite a few visits to the Chiropractor and had a few problems sorted out. Unfortunately, none of them improved the feeding dramas!! I'm just out of ideas and patience now. Particularly because he is taking the bottle soooo well. It's been so exhausting!

Kelly xxx

Hi,

It sounds like you've had enough! You shouldn't really be at any greater risk of mastitis through expressing - many women express long term. With a milk supply like yours, it's important that you don't wean suddenly - that's where you will run into trouble with mastitis. In my experience there is nothing you can take to dry up your milk that works - it's just tapering off slowly.
Please consider my offer of finding an LC in Perth who can help. So often I see mums like you who ultimately find that the problem didn't lie with breastfeeding, and when they are fully bottlefeeding they have the same or other problems.
But, really, you a caring and sensitive mum, and breastfeeding is only one aspect of mothering. So if you do stop breastfeeding be confident that you are doing the best for your baby
Regards
Barb

Thanks so much Barb - I really appreciate the advice and support. Its such a hard decision. We gave Luke formula last night and the difference in him was incredible. He just loved it so I think we'll slowly introduce it. As I do have a lot of milk, I'll keep trying to offer him the boob and see how we go, otherwise I'll start expressing and giving him as much ebm as possible. He's definitely taking the bottle much better than the boob - there's no tears at all. With each bf, we have LOTS of tears, its really quite distressing.

He still won't even go near the right boob - as soon as I get it out he starts screaming its amazing!! I can't get his head to even go close to it - he just pulls it away but when the left one comes out, he'll take it to start with and then pull off screaming. He definitely takes a fair bit from the left boob though but its a real struggle.

Anyway, we'll see how we go.

Kelly xx

Hey Kelly, just wanted to pop in here too and say you are doing an incredible job and I know that the decision must be tough for you but you are doing the absolute best for Luke, and thats all that matters. Seeing you go through everything you have over the last 4 months I take my hat off to you for lasting this long - and as you said if there is such a huge difference and he is a happy boy, then thats the most important thing too and you can enjoy being a mum rather than worrying all the time about your next feed. :hug: to you both!!

Hi kelly
I just found your thread and I can see that you have really been trying hard to persevere with the breast feeding, your doing such a great job. I had an idea while reading the posts it may or may not be of use. Any expressed milk that you collect could be frozen if it is not used and then you could use it when your bub is having solids later on down the track. Barb or the ABA can give you more advise on storage of the BM. Your little one may like it mixed with foods, and you won't feel like your expressing for nothing.
Best of luck :)