Start Breastfeeding when baby is older?

Question

Do any of you moms have had a baby that latched when older ? 
I had to feed my baby formula at the hospital because my milk didn't come in and he had jaundice and wast having bowel movements. He is 6 weeks today and I have been pumping and giving him the bottle but he refuses the breast everytime I try.
Should I stop trying since its frustrating for both of us or do you guys know of any baby that started breastfeeding later on?
Thank you !

Answer

Have you tried a nipple shield to transition back to the breast? It feels to baby more like to bottle he's used to, but gets milk from the tap. It's not a perm solution since it can impact milk production, but it's a great transition option. I used with my first born and weaned him off the nipple shield in about a week to full time breast. I would get him to latch and start nursing with the shield, then once I let down is unlatch him quickly take the shield off and trick him into nipple alone. Good luck

Answer

If you were formula feeding in hospital check and see what sort of teat was used if it was a gravity fed teat your bub might just be wanting instant gratification. Try switching to a medela calma teat which they have to suck like the breast to get fed. Also try finger feeds with a syringe next to it (upside down pinky in the mouth, syringe inserted next to it with milk and feed a bit at a time) these are methods my lactation consultant had me do before using a nipple shield to transition my premmie from gravity fed bottles to breast. We also used a feed line under the nipple shield attached to a syringe to encourage him to suck which worked. It can be done but the process is tiring and can be frustrating for both mum and bub but is worth it if breast feeding is the goal!

Answer

Don't give up. As long as it's not running your life there's no harm in continuing to try. Practice makes perfect!

Answer

I breastfed for the first 2 weeks but LO wasn't gaining enough weight in addition to having a bad latch, so I ended up exclusively pumping. She's now almost 12 weeks and has been requesting the breast the past week or so and has been feeding great! We're now doing a combination of breast milk in the bottle and BFing

Start Breastfeeding when baby is older?

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