While many moms decide that exclusively pumping (EP) is best for their needs, there are also many others who start out EP with an ultimate goal of getting their babies to nurse mostly or exclusively at the breast. Depending on how long you have been EP, this can represent somewhat of a challenge. However, it is not impossible. There are a few key tips to remember:
- Most importantly, feed the baby
- Formulate a plan to start transitioning feeds (preferably with help from an IBCLC)
- Minimize stress during attempts to get baby nursing at the breast
- Transition slowly, and don’t cut out too many bottles at once
- Focus on milk transfer, so that baby does not lose weight during or after the transition period
Babies who have been taking exclusively bottles for weeks or months may initially resist the breast. There are ways to make them more likely to accept the breast. Some moms end up using a nipple shield (because it feels more like a bottle) to get baby more comfortable with the idea of nursing. Very young newborns may not require it, if they have not yet developed a bottle preference.
The trick is to make this a comfortable transition. Try to get baby to nurse when baby is awake, but not extremely hungry. A frustrated baby who just wants to eat will have a harder time latching. Some moms prefer to give baby a small amount from a bottle (e.g. 0.5-1 oz) to start so that baby is not quite as hungry when they offer the breast. This can also help to make sleepy babies more alert, as they are expecting more milk to come.
Work with your IBCLC on latch and milk transfer, so that baby can learn to get a good meal at the breast. Keep an eye on yours and baby’s frustration. If the attempt simply hasn’t worked after about 10 minutes, let it go and try again later or at the next feeding. It is important to keep you and baby interested in trying, and not making this a punishment for either of you.
With time, dedication and practice, it is quite likely that you will get your baby to accept nursing at least some of the time. You may find that it gets easier to add nursing sessions and replace bottles once you have established a nursing pattern for a few feeds.
