My little guy has been doing much better lately about BFing, but today he straight refused the breast. All he would do is cry and fuss. I tried so hard to get him to latch on and he did for 2 seconds then just started to fuss. I don't understand. He did quite well all day yesterday and last night, but today he won't even try. Unfortunately I had to give him formula. He took that just fine. I cried....I really hate giving him formula even though I have had to after BFing because he's still hungry even after he nurses. For the last two days he would nurse at each breast for 10-15 minutes and then still take at least 2oz of formula. I just started taking fenugreek to try to up milk production, but it's hard for me to swallow. Today I even broke the tablets open and tried to take just the powder. Yuck!! I would give anything to get LO to strictly BF, but I get stressed so easily and I know it transfers to him. For some reason even the first time I try to put him to the breast he just pushes away from me. He does this head spasm thing too where he quickly shakes his head from side to side, but that is with breast or bottle. I know he doesn't have tongue tie and I'm certain he is wanting to feed, but I don't understand why this one time he wouldn't even try.

I don't particularly like the idea of strictly expressing for him, but I will do what I have to in order for him to have breast milk. Please help!!

PS I am planning to go to the next BFing support group offered by the hospital for help as well.

Hav u tried laying down in bed with no shirt on and letting him finf=d the nipple himself? Maybe if you relaxed with him just before feeding time and let him for the most part find it himself he would latch.

And I think its a great idea to go to the support group.
Is there a la Leche league in your area? They are a great help and a leader may be willing to go to your house to help you out

No, I haven't yet tried to just lay with him and let him latch on his own. I have flat nipples so I've found it helps to kinda smoosh them with my finger a bit to help him get latched on. He manages to draw them out some just by sucking. It has been suggested to me to have a "nurse-in", he and I cuddled up with lots of skin-to-skin and just try to be calm and relaxed and I'm planning on doing that I think Monday. I believe the support group at the hospital meets on Tuesday. So maybe if I do the nurse-in on monday and then get more help on Tuesday I can get somewhere.

There is a local La Leche group where I am. I missed the two meetings for this month, but I will try to contact the group leader and see if she has any advice.

On a happier note, I did manage to get him to nurse at this evening's feeding. He only nursed for about 10 minutes on each side, but I know he didn't completely drain them. I'm starting to believe when the supply slows down he gets impatient and stops completely. I have tried starting him on one breast then switching him after the quick let-down and trying to put him back on the first breast, but he just won't stay there. I do use chest compressions to help keep the flow going as much as I can, and it does seem to help, but not completely fix the problem.

It can be really confusing for them to go back and forth with the bottle. They expect that faster milk flow & your body doesn't know to bump
Up production. he is probably at a growth spurt. The first 6 weeks seemed like there was one every couple days! Do u notice any thrush? that can cause fussin st the breast too. Try the nurse in as suggested and dump the formula and bottles! It is confusing your baby & your breasts! He will eat!

I have started to notice some white on his tongue, but it's only after he feeds and I think it's just milk. I only just started to see it and I haven't been able to get my finger in his mouth to see if it will just wipe away or if it is sticking around.

He did nurse better last night and this morning, but he still doesn't completely drain each breast. I pump even after I think he has drained them and still get anywhere from .5-1oz. I know he isn't getting full from me because he will take even more after he nurses. I try to give him ebm if I have some, but if not I give him formula. I just don't have it in me to not make sure he's full.

Almost everyone can pump out milk after feeds, it's normal! It doesn't mean your baby hasnt had enough at the breast, if anything it suggests to me that your supply is good enough for there still to be some left over. A baby will take a bottle after a breastfeed as the bottle just tips into their mouth and it's just an automatic sucking mechanism they have- it doesn't mean they need it xx

Well, my mom has confirmed that he does have thrush. She also told me how to get rid of it. I am going to try my hardest this week to get him to the breast as much as possible. I managed to get 2.5oz from pumping twice today so I know I can produce enough for him to get full. I just gotta get him to get it all out. Wish me luck. I'm sure I'll need it.

I remember having a similar trouble with my dd, and huge latching problems. I used large nipple shields and they were great! It made it easier for the latch, and when dd/ds got sleepy or lazy with the feed there was a small reservior of milk to prompt them to keep sucking again.

Just note some people have trouble with supply using the shields all the time, so I was expressing as well, and slowly cut back as they got bigger.

You will never get 100% of the milk out during a feed your breasts are never empty! xx