[Natttmumm]

Hi ladies
I fed DS for week one and then stopped for almost 2 weeks (had to take medication that cant be used when BF) so he has been bottle fed with formula for 2 weeks. I've been expressing and throwing it out. I can start feeding again next week and I do seem to have milk although not enough to exclusively Bf yet. Any tips on reattaching a baby that has been bottle fed for a few weeks. Also I need to use a shield as I have flat nipples.
He attached to the sheild when he was around 3 days old but now I'm worried its too late.
I will be seeing a lactation consultant when we attach him but I wondered if any one has any positive stories to tell me or any advice.

[Escapin]

The shield and bottle aren't THAT different, so I'd just go for it! It might take a bit of perseverence, but hopefully you and your LO will get it working together. I guess you could try putting the nipple shield (without your boob) in his mouth so he gets some experience of it? I'm sure your LC will have much better ideas than me

[mel43]

I'm no expert, so don't do this without working with your LC.

My daughter was bottle fed for a few weeks when she was about 4-5 months old. She didn't want a bar of my breast after that. So I put one of those really wide bottle teats (avent, but I think you can get other brands now) over my nipple to trick her into feeding. After that, I used a shield for a few months until one day she fed without one

Good luck! I went on to feed that baby til she was 18 months, so it's definitely doable.

[meggs1]

No idea if this will work - but it worked for me in reverse to get DS to take a bottle.

Pick a feed where bub is hungry but not frantic, and likely to be sleepy. Start with the bottle but be in BF position, and be ready to switch (maybe hand express a bit) - when bub is sucking but drowsy do the swap. You could do some breast compression (google) to make sure there is good flow.

[hoppingllama]

I'd actually suggest going back to skin to skin and seeing if the baby will self attach. I've seen a video at an ABA course showing babies four and five months old self attaching despite being bottle fed since 1 week etc. Amazing stuff.
It couldn't hurt to try it.

[Natttmumm]

Thanks for the tips. I think if he's too hungry he will be cranky. I'm thinking of trying it first at night when he's sleepy. I can always give a bottle after if it doesn't work