Breastfeeding Information and Help

You might need some breastfeeding help if you have a newborn that is reluctant to nurse. Newborns may be reluctant to nurse for different reasons. You may notice your baby: · Resistant to the breast · Fights becoming attached to the breast · Cannot latch onto the breast, keeps detaching from the breast or will not suck while attached to the breast. It is important to remember that this is normal infant behavior and will change with some breastfeeding help and time. Some newborns will not latch onto the breast right after birth. In this case it is a good idea to pump the colostrum and give to the baby via a feeding syringe or dropper (even if it’s just a little bit). You also want to make sure that you are pumping your breast milk regularly when the baby is reluctant to breastfeed to prevent engorgement. Breastfeeding information can be found at La Leche League International (llli.org), a great resource for breastfeeding help. You can also contact your local hospital, nurse, and physician for breastfeeding information and help. If you need some breastfeeding help, try nursing the newborn while the baby is sleepy or asleep, the infant's natural instinct will take over during this time. Also, try nursing in a quiet and dark room where the newborn will not be distracted. You can also nurse while walking or rocking, this type of motion relaxes the newborn. Different positions such as lying down may also help.