Refusing to BFed

by Cody
(Richland, WA)

Hi I'm Cody I have twin girls two months old.
I have a question for you about BFed and latching. One of my girls is starting to refuse the breast. Since day one she has had some troubles latching (she sucks air). We use a nipple shield to help with my smaller nipples. We have also had two bottles a day since day one (we needed them to gain more weight) About a week or so ago I started having trouble getting her to take the breast so I used a little chocolate to encourage her. It worked for a few days but not anymore. She seems young to be self weening right? Its really hard to have her screaming/crying at the breast while her sister is trying to feed as well. Do I just call it quits with her? I do have a pump but how would that work feed one while pumping? Where does my LO that's not BFing go? I want to make it to 5/6 months but what can I really do? Is there anything I can do to strengthen her latch? I know she's getting milk but you can here where she's not getting full suction (she has this problem with the bottles as well). I just need advice Thank you!
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Hi Cody
So sorry for the delay. OK - first off - it is very important that you get help with this - have you spoken with a lactation consultant or midwife? Were your twins premature at all? I would not use chocolate to encourage her to eat. She may not be latching correctly and so is suckling away and getting frustrated because she is not getting enough milk.
Baby's this young are not self-weaning - if she is the weaker twin than you may find that supplementing will help. I wouldn't use a bottle as they can get confused with the nipples and not go back to nursing easily. You can definately pump milk for her and use a syringe or even a spoon, a cup, a medicine dropper - anything to get the milk into her to help build up her strength.
Some pages on my site that may help-

Nursing Twins pictures

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding Twins

Breastfeeding Identical Twins

and KellyMom is a wonderful site for help and support with breastfeeding.

Please call your doctor and make sure your little one is thriving and get the support personally!
All my best to you and your family
Kim
editor
Raising-Twins.com