Are you trying to nurse and your baby, though hungry, don’t want to latch on? It may purse its lips, turn its head and sometimes start to cry? Find out what can be the reason.
Sometimes problems can occur at the very beginning of breastfeeding and make it difficult to start. But, it also sometimes happens that a baby who has so far eagerly suckle, suddenly begins to refuse his mother's breast. It is hungry, but doesn’t latch on. Do not be discouraged. The cause is probably temporary, but it is worth to find it out to return to full breastfeeding.
Advice: At the initial stage, the reason may be a weak or disturbed sucking reflex, caused by immaturity of the nervous system, injury or disease. Your baby can also have some oral abnormalities which prevent proper latch. Be sure to contact a specialist, preferably a lactation consultant or clinical speech therapist. The specialist will examine your baby’s oral cavity, check the frenulum and examine whether your baby has a proper and sufficiently strong sucking reflex. He will recommend therapy or some exercises.
Advice: Try not to allow the situation when the breast is very full and hard. If this has happened and your baby cannot grab the nipple, try easing the fullness with a bit of manual expression or express a little bit of milk with a breast pump. All you have to do is express just enough milk to make your breast softer to make it possible for your baby to grab it.
Advice: Feed the baby, when you see the first signs of its hunger, do not wait until your breast is full. If it is too hard for your baby to eat, express a little milk before baby comes to the breast so the flow is slower and only then latch your baby on. You can also try to change the feeding position. Reclining position on your back help to slow the flow of milk.
Advice: Check your breastfeeding attachment technique. Perhaps the baby’s latch is too shallow and it grasps only a nipple without an areola, and therefore the breast is not stimulated properly. Do not give your baby extra infant formula or water. Nurse it as often as possible, trying out optimal feeding positions. Frequent stimulation will support lactation which will further adapt to the needs of your small mammal.
Advice: During a cold or infection, babies often have trouble suckling. Try to clean the baby's nose before feeding so that it can breathe freely. In winter, use a humidifier or at least put wet towels on the radiators so that the air is not too dry. Also, do not let your baby to get hungry, because it will only increase its irritation caused by the disease and breastfeeding it will become even more difficult.
Advice: Try not to let your baby get very tired. If your baby falls asleep at your breasts try to gently tickle it on the cheek so that it doesn’t fall asleep. You can also let your child take a nap, and then try, for example, to feed it when it is still in his sleeping mode. But, usually, your baby will wake up when it gets hungry.
Advice: This is a typical problem for babies around 3-4 months old. Everything around is extremely interesting and the breast is off the radar. This is usually very disturbing for mothers. Try to find a quiet feeding place, room or corner. It may be slightly darkened. Choose a place where no one will disturb you and where there are no additional distractions like the TV. You can also try to feed your baby when it is not yet well woken up from a nap.
Advice: Feeding begins in your head. If you don’t have a good attitude towards breastfeeding, you have a lot of fears associated with it or you don’t like to breastfeed, it can end in failure. Your body will not produce enough milk and your baby will get tired trying to eat. In addition, babies can sense their mother's mood very well, so if breastfeeding is difficult and unpleasant for you, your baby may take over your emotions and refuse your breast. Try to be positive about breastfeeding, relax. Remember, this way you give your child all the best.
Advice: It happens that mum eats something very intense in taste, e.g. garlic. It can change the taste of milk and scare the baby away. If you noticed that your infant is responding to such things, try to avoid strong flavours, give up Indian food and a large amount of spices.
Advice: Small babies love the natural smell of their mother. Try not to change the deodorant during the breastfeeding period and not to use strong perfumes. It is also not a good time for drastic changes in the choice of your cosmetics. This may discourage the child from breastfeeding.
Advice: During breastfeeding, up to 6 months of age, do not feed your baby with a bottle. Introduction of water, an infant formula or a bottle may result in baby’s refusal to suck at the breast. If you have to give a bottle to your baby, make sure you have good accessories which will not disturb your baby's sucking reflex. The least risky is to give your baby extra food on a teaspoon or in a special cup.
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