What can i do if my baby doesn't want to breastfeed?

Be Patient: When anotherwise healthy baby is acting normally and does not want to nurse, it usually is because they are not hungry. When hungry, a healthy baby will generally have no problems feeding.If they seem to want to eat but won't, look for a problem. An example would be an oral yeast infection ( thrush) which can be fixed.If there is still a problem, consult with your pediatrician.

Keep calm!: Many babies have trouble breastfeeding, and there are many reasons. Size and shape of the nipple as well as baby's mouth/tongue/latch need to be evaluated. Is there sufficient milk? Is baby otherwise healthy? What is the age of the baby? How does she otherwise feed? You can always pump and give expressed breast milk. Attempt to breast feed once/day at a time that everyone is calm.

Many options: Look for local breastfeeding consultants (check with a local hospital nursery or your provider). They may be able to help with positioning, latch, and devices that can help you and the baby to communicate and work together. There are also devices, such as nipple shields that can help with nipple issues and sns systems that can provide supplementation while they latch (positive reinforcement).

See the pediatrician: Babies are born to breastfeed, so if a baby doesn't want to feed, there must be a reason (unless a baby is too full already). A pediatrician can evaluate the situation to see what the problem might be. If the baby fusses on the breast, but is fine with a bottle, the mom may choose to feed pumped breastmilk. If the baby likes formula but not bottled breastmilk, he can still grow fine on formula.

Lactation consult: There are many breast feeding problems that a lactation consultant can fix if if you baby doesn't want to breastfeed. This can include a nipple shield or help latching. If a baby really doesn't want to breastfeed and you have gotten help, you can go to a bottle with pumped breast milk. Lastly you can use formula.

Or...: Suprisingly, some pediatricians are capable of good advice regarding breastfeeding !