How to teach a baby to breast after a bottle

Faced with a protest of a newborn while trying to breastfeed? Do not rush to apply alternative feeding methods. Having found out the reason for the refusal and following a number of useful recommendations, you can accustom your baby to the mother’s breast.

Almost any expectant mother is sure that she will breastfeed her baby. And this is not surprising, because breast milk has a very beneficial effect on the growing body, and also significantly saves the family budget. However, contrary to the expectations of parents, some newborns do not want to take breasts. They turn away, bend, begin to whimper or cry. But do not get discouraged ahead of time, because babies can be accustomed to the chest.

Why does a newborn refuse to take breasts

Do not rush to resort to other methods of feeding. First you need to figure out what caused this behavior of the baby. The reason for the child's refusal from natural feeding can be a variety of factors:

• incorrect attachment (see how to apply the baby to the chest);
• poor health of the baby (malaise, fever, stuffy nose, teething, etc.);
• colic in the baby’s tummy;
• lack of strength to suckle (in a premature or weak baby);
• addiction to the bottle;
• structural features of the chest, for example, too retracted, small or large nipple, making it difficult for the crumb to take it into the mouth;
• unpleasant taste of milk that has changed due to the onset of menstruation or the nutrition of a mother with certain foods (see what can and should not be eaten during the GW period);
• a baby’s discomfort that can be stuffy, cold, cramped, etc .;
• sharp smell from the mother’s body caused by perfume or deodorant, as a result of which the child does not feel the smell of his own;
• Mom’s subconscious fears, for example, fear of possible pain from feeding;
• distractions.

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons for the baby to refuse breastfeeding. Therefore, your task is to understand as soon as possible why the baby stubbornly does not want to eat the most ideal food for him. Your loved ones can help in this matter. Perhaps a side view of your daily communication with him will help to understand what does not suit him.

How to teach a baby to suckle

Do not panic and remember that any baby must develop a sucking reflex sooner or later. After all, it is laid by nature itself. If you understand the root of the problem, it will be much easier to solve. In any case, it is possible to revive the love of your child for breastfeeding by applying the following techniques:

1. If possible, do not offer the newborn a bottle and a dummy.

Of course, it is difficult to come up with a more convenient means for supplementing with a mixture or expressed milk than a bottle.But the cost of convenience may be the baby’s refusal of the breast, so it’s much wiser to use a spoon or syringe without a needle. If you are already using a dummy, then for the successful course of the normalization process of breastfeeding, it is better to do without it. Gradually accustom the baby to other methods of sedation. For example, you can shake it in your arms or on fitball (big ball). And when he calms down, offer a chest. (see article how to wean a baby from a dummy)

2. Be soft but persistent

Offer the breast to the newborn for any reason - when he cries, expresses discontent or behaves uneasily. Do this at any daytime and at night, when he tosses and turns in his sleep (see the article on the benefits of night feeding) But in no case do not get annoyed and do not force the baby to take breasts by force! After all, only the most light and joyful should come from mom. During this period, your best "helpers" should be softness and patience.

3. Devote all your free time to your baby.

Round-the-clock communication with mom is one of the most effective ways to teach a baby to suckle. It is important that he is used to sharing sleep, close contact with his most dear to him, remember his mother's voice and smell. All this will inspire confidence in him, make it clear that comfort and safety come from the mother’s breast, as well as from the mother herself. During the period of accustoming to the chest, it is desirable to limit the contact of the crumbs with the rest of the family and outsiders.

4. Create conditions

Do everything to make your son or daughter comfortable and convenient to eat mom's milk. Try all kinds of poses, feed while sitting, lying on your side, standing, try to hold the baby on your knees and arms, you can also, laying it on the pillow, sit on the side (here is in detail about various poses for feeding) Eliminate all distracting and loud sounds. If your nipples are too small, use special overlays for breastfeeding. And before you offer the breast, squeeze a drop of milk out of it so that the baby can appreciate its taste.

If the above methods do not help establish breastfeeding, talk with the pediatrician. The doctor will check the possible causes of anatomical nature and physiological factors of breast failure. You can also consult a breastfeeding consultant. So you get the qualified help of a real specialist.

What to do if a newborn is used to eating from a bottle?

We all understand how important it is immediately after the birth of the crumbs to attach it to the chest. However, there are many reasons why a child temporarily eats from a bottle. For example, when a mother suffered a difficult birth and cannot feed, when she becomes ill or is forced to leave her baby for several days. In such a situation, often children do not want to suckle anymore. And all because "getting" milk from a bottle is much easier.

But the baby’s desire to eat from her mother’s breast can be returned. Most importantly, take the bottle away. Do the same with nipples and dummies. Feed it with a syringe without a needle, cup, beaker or small spoon. Do not worry if the child does not want to immediately learn a new method of feeding, because it can take several days.

Offer breasts as often as possible. This is best done when the newborn has not yet fully woken up or is only falling asleep. Gently insert the nipple into his mouth. Perhaps at first the baby will just hold the breast in his mouth. But this is a big step towards the resumption of breastfeeding after a bottle. When he understands that breasts need to be sucked, you can slowly reduce the frequency and duration of feeding from auxiliary means.

Important! How to wean a baby from a bottle

Remember that no other diet can fully replace your breast milk. Accustoming your baby to breastfeeding, do not doubt your actions. Act firmly, confidently and with love. You will see, the baby will appreciate your efforts, and soon you will press the baby against you, sucking milk from the chest with an appetite.

We also read:

• Breastfeeding Tips for Breastfeeding
• Basic rules for breastfeeding
• How to restore lactation - 10 main recommendations

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Can breastfeeding be restored?

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