Baby on formula first few days, how can we get her back to the breast?

QUESTION: Our Dr. told us to give formula for a few days to get us over jaundice (Ella had a 17 on her bilirubin test), and now she refuses my wife's breast, so she pumped and put her milk in a bottle, but we want to just do it the "real" way all breast all the time. Please send my crying wife any tips on how to get the baby back on the breast.

Thanks!

Dear Harry,

How lucky your wife is to have such a supportive husband! Yes, she can get Ella back on the breast. It will just take a little work. First of all, you have got to get rid of all bottles. (They can be reintroduced 3-4 weeks from now once breastfeeding is going well). While you are working on breastfeeding, you can supplement with medicine cups (the same type that comes on the top of cough medicine or cold medicines), eyedroppers, syringes, or spoons.

With any of these methods, you do not want your baby sucking on the device. You are either placing drops of milk in your baby's mouth (eyedroppers, syringes, or spoons) or the baby is just swallowing (cup feeding). Cup feeding is gaining in popularity. In England, they are using this method to supplement even premature breastfed babies.

Sit your baby upright, place a bib or diaper under her chin, and place the cup to her mouth. You may have to pour a few drops in at first to help her get the idea. You do not have to withdraw the cup. She will begin to take the milk at her own pace. As long as she is in an upright position, there is no danger of choking. There are also some great gadgets at drugstores for giving medicine to infants (Eyedroppers and syringes). Some people like the cups, others like the syringes or eyedroppers. You may want to try each to see what works for you.

A silicone nipple shield can also help a baby who has been used to bottle nipples. This is a clear silicone shield that the mother places over her nipples while nursing. They are available from Medela (Call 1-800-TELLYOU). I would not recommend you get one immediately, but instead try the following first: Begin each feeding with a little milk (anywhere from 1 teaspoon to 1/2 ounce or even more) given with whatever method you choose. Once you get a little milk in your baby's tummy, she will be more comfortable, relaxed, and ready to work at breastfeeding. Try the breast again. You can dribble some milk at the breast with an eyedropper as she goes to latch on. Babies who have been given bottles get very used to that immediate fast flow, so you may have to simulate it for a while.

When the baby gets frustrated, your wife will get frustrated, so that is the point where you want to stop and go back to giving a little more milk with the cup or dropper. Continue trying throughout the feeding. Babies who are not getting their sucking needs met will come back to the breast much quicker, so it is best to avoid pacifiers during this time also. I have never not seen this method work. If a mother wants her baby back on the breast, it will happen! I have seen it accomplished in less than 24 hours, but I have also seen it take as long as five days. So reassure your wife that very soon she should have her baby back at the breast. Let me know if you need any further help.


Cher Sealy, RN, BSN, IBCLC, LLLL

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