Breast refusal

I'm wondering if anyone else has had this problem. My two week old can breastfeed beautifully - on one side only. We have had about eight hours so far with a wonderful lactation consultant and have managed both with her and on our own to have him feed from the other side four or five times but not consecutively. We can latch him well but he will not follow through and suck. Anatomy and physiology are fine, I am producing a decent amount of milk and he has a good suck. I'm just not sure that we are going to be able to change his lack of desire to feed from that side.

Every feed has become a bit of a battle and I'm reduced to tears just thinking about it. I really really want to breastfeed but am starting to think he will have a much happier mummy if I give up.

Does anyone have any bright ideas - or has anyone experienced this and had to switch to formula?? I've decided Monday is D day - we have worked so hard for two weeks but I'm at breaking point and because I'm feeding him and then expressing it takes forever. I'm going to need to make a decision soon so any advice would be very gratefully received.

ETA: pain is not an issue - I get that little bit of initial let down sensation but other than that I know (according to the lactation consultant) that I am doing things correctly.

Edited by kateandahalf

MissAngel you are two weeks more experienced than me so at least hearing about your experience makes me feel like I'm not on my own - thanks.

Just wish I didn't feel so sad about it!!

I had issues from the beginning with feeding Daniel. First didn't want to latch then got good at one side and not the other. I battled with him and after after 3 weeks he finally got the hang of it. But he had intermitant issues every couple of weeks and I finally got fed up at 3 months. I had a goal to at least make it to 2 weeks, once that arrived I wanted to make 3 weeks and then 4 weeks. Then finally 3 months.

My sister has just had the same problem - could not feed from the left side. He would latch but not suck.

What her midwife had her do was hop in the bath with him to latch on the left side. Sounds weird but it actually worked. She had to do it for a few days but he is now 3 weeks old and latches on both sides with no problems at all.

Good luck!

I also know a couple of people who have just fed on one side.

I wonder if your baby's neck could be sore on one side, and if an oestopath or chiropractor could help?

I'm sure you have tried lots of different holds already, but have you tried just sliding him across from one boob to the other, so he is under your arm on the bad boob - ie lying in the same position as the good boob, just poked over the the other side? (you would need pillows)

DJ wrote: I'm sure you have tried lots of different holds already, but have you tried just sliding him across from one boob to the other, so he is under your arm on the bad boob - ie lying in the same position as the good boob, just poked over the the other side? (you would need pillows)

I was going to suggest the same thing, maybe you could try the football hold on the side he dislikes so that he is still lying the way he prefers (if that makes sense). Maybe once he gets used to the 'disliked' side you can change to holding him tummy to tummy

DJ wrote: I'm sure you have tried lots of different holds already, but have you tried just sliding him across from one boob to the other, so he is under your arm on the bad boob - ie lying in the same position as the good boob, just poked over the the other side? (you would need pillows)

this is what i was going to suggest........