You ladies are the best! Thank you so much for the support and ideas. It's taken a lot for me to keep pumping the last 10 weeks. It's worth it and it's what's best for J, but it's a lot of work! Thanks for cheering me on!
ENMS - I'm happy to hear your LO is nursing again! I remember your thread a bit ago about pumping. I've been reluctant to offer the breast when J's drowsy bc I don't want to work her up. But that makes sense that it's a good time to offer it. I'll work up the courage tomorrow night when she's drifting on the bottle and see how it goes. And thank you for that video. A couple weeks ago, when we were still on preemie nipples and concerned about her vocal cords (and aspirating), that is similar to how we were feeding her. But since we've been since things have improved and we've been less concerned, she's really just been guzzling away. She's a fussy feeder in general, though. She guzzles too fast, then cries and pulls off and needs a good hard burping, then starts guzzling again. She also has reflux. I will definitely try tomorrow what's suggested in the video and try to pace her a bit.
Have you just recently changed soap, skin care products, scent or eaten something she doesn't like?
Not that I can think of, but I'll try to pay attention to that. The thing is, there haven't been any periods where she's consistently nursed. It's like the stars align and for whatever reason she'll entertain the breast at one feeding, then the next feeding she just screams at it. Every few days, she seems to forget how much she hates it and will try when offered. Then the next go around, she remembers she doesn't want it after all!
Ali - The LC has suggested skin to skin after feedings or when possible and using the nipple shield. Offering breast about half way thru a bottle feed or at other points but not to the point that she's getting overly upset. She also had us switch to the natural bottles and use the cheek compression to improve her latch. She's been pleased that she's switched well to the new bottles and has nursed briefly a couple times. She's mostly just reminding me that J has been through a lot and that she's made a lot of changes in the way she feeds already, so to have patience. Which I do completely agree! She does feel optimistic that she will get there. We haven't discussed a supplemental nursing system. I know what it is, but don't know too much about it. I'm due to call the LC to check in in the next day or so, so we'll see if I should just keep plodding along or if we should try something else.
So no successful nursing today. Lots of crying at the breast. But I got in the bath with her this evening which she loved and she did root at and mouth my breast without latching but without crying so that's a positive to end on.
