My daughter is 4.5 months old,Mashallah.
Lately she doesn’t seem interested in BFing any more and nursing time has become a battle between mommy and baby,and unfortunately for me,she seems to win almost most of the times…
On her last visit to the pediatrician it was suggested that formula feeds should be increased so that she can gain some more weight .I used to give her 2 bottles of formula /day which were then increased to 3 and now its about 4 times a day that she is getting formula.
I try to put her to the breast before feeds,both when she is sleepy and fully awake but she is just not interested.Either starts crying or if is in a playful mood she will start looking at me and start babbling…( beta its feeding time,not play time…!!).
What can I do to improve this…??..It is making me too frustrated…
btw,we haven’t started any solids as of yet…
Also,all you moms who breast fed,how long did you do it for…??
I know of moms who themselves wean the babies off after a year or so of age…why can’t I BF…grrrrrrr
Re: My baby doesn’t seem interested in BFing any more
During the day time I BFed and then gave her the bottle.The feed before bed time used to be formula feed straight away.
Now whenever I try to breast feed she just takes it for about a few mins and then the crying session starts :hinna:
Re: My baby doesn't seem interested in BFing any more :(
Have you spoken to her ped about this? Are you still in touch with a lactation consultant?
I'm wondering:
1. If the bottle is easier, she doesn't want to work hard when she nurses.
2. If there's something that may have changed the taste of your milk.
3. If she doesn't like the position.
Re: My baby doesn't seem interested in BFing any more :(
I am seeing the pediatrician next week and will definitely ask her...
I am thinking its most likely reason 1...since formula/bottle feed had to be increased to increase her calorie intake I think she has made up her mind that this is something she likes more as it is easy....
I dont think I have changed anything in my diet to affect the taste of the milk...
and position is the same we have been using since day 1....
Its frustrating on its own and when I am told that I am being stubborn and doing 'zidd' with a baby its makes me more grrrrr.....
I was hoping to BF without any issues atleast till we started solids...:(
Re: My baby doesn't seem interested in BFing any more :(
chips.. i totally know how u feel.... but ppl are right... ziddi na karo...in the end, its the baby that matters and its health.. if she is gaining weight, thats all thats important.
pump like sahar says.. that will give u the semi satisfaction atleast.
Re: My baby doesn't seem interested in BFing any more :(
I've heard that from a few people that sometimes babies weans themselves off of nursing. For some people, its sooner like yours, for others, its later in the first year. I think you should pump even if its just one or twice a day and don't fret over it...go with the flow!
Re: My baby doesn't seem interested in BFing any more :(
I hardly get enough on pumping....but I will keep on trying,atleast for some more time...
She hardly BFed since this morning...just for like 5 mins,once in the morning and another few mins in the afternoon...:(
Am I about to say goodbye to this special mommy and baby thing....??
Re: My baby doesn't seem interested in BFing any more :(
awww.
She just probably gets what she needs from the formula..If you really want to continue with bf, how about decreasing her formula intake?
Maybe if she gets hungry enough, she'll start again?
Re: My baby doesn't seem interested in BFing any more :(
and just right now she did it again....
I tried to BF her and she threw a tantrum...I tried to distract her,sing songs etc etc...she got distracted for a while to repeat it again...
An hour of it all,she just had formula....:(
s-mk....The doctor thought she needed more calories so it was suggested to introduce formula when she was born and then later on increased last month.....
Re: My baby doesn't seem interested in BFing any more :(
Just pump 2-3 times a day, or however much you can manage, and give her a bottle whenever you feel you have enough for a feeding.
Don't make your own life harder and hers. Enjoy the time with her when she is happy and full. You are giving her all the love and affection and nourishment she needs. If she can't nurse, it's okay. You've got a lot more to look forward to!
You'll feel better once you understand that you are not neglecting her or missing out on something by not BFing. It's okay. You are giving her what she needs in other ways. Have fun and cuddle and enjoy her! And try not to obsess about the feeding. It just gets more complicated once solids start. I promise, if you relax and let yourself follow her cues, you will have a much better time and a less anxious baby.
Easier said than done, huh? I should follow my own advice. :p
Re: My baby doesn't seem interested in BFing any more :(
Chipsy, i am still breastfeeding K a couple of times a day. BUT i have been through where she didnt want to eat at all. In her case, she didnt want breastmilk nor formula. And i remember being really really frustrated. I suggest, if she isnt interested in feeding anymore than dont fight her and make your life any more difficult than it is. Just give her the formula which she probably likes more now since the increased amount of bottles probably have resulted in low supply for you (my guess) OR like Sahar said, she is being lazy and doesnt want to do the work in breastfeeding.
Re: My baby doesn't seem interested in BFing any more :(
Sahar & Ira....I know you guys are right.
But needless to say I am feeling very depressed over this.
I have been pumping religiously since yesterday and I have not been able to get even half an ounce....
The baby has not even latched ion once in the last 36 hours...she just sits there and either smiles at me or starts fussing...
I am popping those fenugreek capsules,eating oatmeal,drinking tons of water...
I am not stressed (that is anything out of the ordinary ,just the usual stuff)...I am not sick(that I know of)...I am not pregnant...
I left a message for the lactation consultant at the hospital where I delivered and I have an app with her pediatrician in 2 days too...
I am frustrated and I feel like a bad mother...
I never thought this will affect me like this....
:(
Re: My baby doesn't seem interested in BFing any more :(
Have you tried warm compresses and massaging to initiate a let-down so the baby can latch on easily and not work too hard initially? Sounds to me like she just doesn't want to make an effort to BF since the bottle is easier for her to take. And because of her not breastfeeding at all, your supply is going down.
In any case don't feel guilty, all that matters is that she's happy and healthy, MashaAllah.
Re: My baby doesn't seem interested in BFing any more :(
chips, you are a great mother. As long as you are meeting your baby's needs, giving her warmth, affection, love, support, a good home, lots of guidance, and nourishment, you are doing well. So what if you're giving formula? You're giving her what she needs, one way or another. It's okay. I went through the same confusion and doubts. Gosh, I never imagined I'd feel so low, just due to breastfeeding issues. It is amazing how fixated and paranoid we become about these things. I guess it's all part of being a mama. We just have to keep the big picture in mind, for ourselves and our growing families.
Let us know what the lactation consultants say, and her pediatrician.
Re: My baby doesn’t seem interested in BFing any more
ladies above have given good suggestions. I’ll just add my experience here , I was only able to give breast milk to my baby for 1 1/2- 2 months and she was also on formula. She never liked breast milk , infact she used to make faces she always liked formula milk. I guess all babies are different. My friend’s daughter is over 2 years now and she still prefer’s her mommy’s milk over formula. It’s just the way babies are. We can’t force them. Like khawa said as long as baby is gaining weight & is healthy that all that matters. Don’t completely stop giving your milk to the baby , if she even have it one time a day then give her one time a day. I agree with Sahar try pumping , if she likes bottle then let her have it from bottle.
Re: My baby doesn't seem interested in BFing any more :(
Ok I heard from the lactation consultant yesterday...
there was nothing new that she said,and I did not know already....
The most likely reason for this is that the baby is getting her feeds from the bottle and that is very easy so she has lost interest in BF...
I was told to pump 5-8 times a day,15 mins each time....atleast 10 days to increase my supply...
and to use the double pump...I have a single one...I will be renting the double pump soon...I called a home medical supply store thingy and they will have one available in 2 days hopefully...
She suggested use of fenugreeek...I am already taking those capsules....
As a last resort there are prescription drugs which she said my OB/GYN can prescribe...As much as I want to BF her,I dont think so I will be taking drugs for that....
So,once I get the double pump I will try pumping for a week or so and see if that helps...otherwise,formula feeding it is...
Re: My baby doesn't seem interested in BFing any more :(
I already have the medela one...but it was the single pump...
I was suggested using the double pump and that I can rent it...the rent is in the range of $55(for Medela's Lactina pump) to $75 (for Symphony pump)....per month.
Since it will be available in 2 days so I am hoping to try that....
:)
beta its feeding time,not play time…!!).
she always liked formula milk. I guess all babies are different. My friend’s daughter is over 2 years now and she still prefer’s her mommy’s milk over formula. It’s just the way babies are. We can’t force them. Like khawa said as long as baby is gaining weight & is healthy that all that matters. Don’t completely stop giving your milk to the baby , if she even have it one time a day then give her one time a day. I agree with Sahar try pumping , if she likes bottle then let her have it from bottle.