How to Know if Baby Has Nipple Confusion

Breastfeeding vs. canteen-feeding

For nursing moms, having the flexibility to switch from breastfeeding to bottle-feeding and back again seems similar a dream.

Information technology would brand a lot of activities much simpler — like a dinner out, going back to work, or only taking a much-needed shower. But if you're dreaming about making this a reality, you may as well have concerns.

What if your baby has a hard time learning to drink from a canteen? What if your baby suddenly refuses to breastfeed? What if your baby experiences nipple confusion?

Luckily, you don't need to worry too much. Most babies don't have trouble going from the breast to a canteen, and back to the breast. But keep in mind that breastfeeding is a learned behavior. It's best to avoid offering a bottle earlier you both become confident at this skill.

Here's what you should know nearly nipple confusion and what you can do to avert it.

What is nipple confusion?

Nipple confusion is a broad term. It can refer to a baby who refuses to feed from a bottle, or one who tries to breastfeed in the same fashion they feed from a bottle. For a baby, the action of nursing involves coordinated movements of the mouth and jaw.

In fact, these movements are unique to the human activity of breastfeeding. For something that babies make look and then piece of cake, in that location'due south a lot going on.

According to the Proceedings of the National University of Sciences, these are the mechanics of breastfeeding:

To properly latch on to the chest, a babe opens their rima oris very wide so that the nipple and a big part of the areolar tissue tin accomplish securely inside.
A baby uses their tongue and lower jaw to practice two things at once: hold the chest tissue in place against the roof of their mouth, and create a trough betwixt the nipple and the areola.
The babe'due south gums shrink the areola and their tongue moves rhythmically from front end to back to draw out milk.

Drinking from a bottle doesn't require the same technique. The milk will period no matter what a baby does because of gravity. When a baby feeds from a bottle:

They don't have to open their mouth wide or create a tight seal with properly turned-out lips.
Information technology isn't necessary to describe a bottle nipple deeply into their rima oris, and there'south no need for the back-to-front milking action of the natural language.
They can suck only with their lips or "glue" on the rubber nipple.
If the milk flows too rapidly, a baby tin end it past thrusting their tongue upwards and forrard.

Signs of nipple confusion

If a babe tries to breastfeed in the aforementioned manner they feed from a bottle, they may do the following:

thrust their tongue up while they're sucking, which can push the nipple out of their mouth
neglect to open their oral fissure wide enough during the latch (in this instance, they can't get much milk, and their mother'due south nipples will be very sore)
become frustrated their female parent's milk isn't instantly available because it takes a minute or two of sucking to stimulate the let-down reflex

The last scenario can be an issue with an older infant. Ane instance is a baby whose mother's milk isn't as readily bachelor because of a schedule change like returning to piece of work.

Longer stretches between breastfeeding can reduce your milk supply. A baby may begin to show a preference for the immediacy and ease of a bottle.

How to avoid nipple confusion

The best style to avoid nipple confusion is to expect to innovate bottles until breastfeeding has been well-established. This normally takes somewhere betwixt four and six weeks.

You lot may be able to introduce a pacifier a picayune sooner, simply information technology'southward still best to wait until your milk supply is well established and your babe has regained their birth weight, usually after 3 weeks.

If your baby is having problem breastfeeding after you introduce a canteen, try these tips.

Stick with breastfeeding if you tin. If that's not an option, try to limit bottle sessions to when you aren't around.
Make sure to practice skilful breastfeeding techniques and so you lot and your baby are both comfortable.
If your baby seems to get frustrated because your milk isn't readily available, remedy that by pumping a bit to jump-start your let-downwardly reflex before you nurse.
Don't await until your baby is ravenous to breastfeed. Try to time it so yous both have the patience to go things right.

What if my baby refuses to breastfeed?

In the example of an older baby who shows a preference for the bottle over the breast, proceed your milk supply up by pumping regularly when yous're away.

When you're together, brand time to nurture your breastfeeding relationship. Nurse more often when you're dwelling with your baby, and salvage the canteen feedings for when y'all're away.

What if my baby refuses the canteen?

If your infant refuses to feed from a bottle birthday, there are a few things you can effort. Encounter if your partner or a grandparent can requite your baby a bottle. If that's not an option, effort to continue bottle-feeding sessions depression-stress.

Reassure your baby, and continue the mood playful and low-cal. Try to mimic breastfeeding as much as you lot tin. Make sure there's lots of cuddling and centre contact. You can also switch your baby to the other side halfway through the feeding to change information technology up. If your baby gets upset, take a break.

Experiment with different kinds of nipples, too. Look for those that will supply your baby with plenty milk to keep them interested. Once your baby is exposed to the bottle and understands that it'southward another form of nourishment, information technology won't take long for them to get on board with the idea.

The takeaway

There are resources available if yous need help navigating bottle- or breastfeeding. Talk to your doc if you demand a recommendation for a lactation consultant, or reach out to your local affiliate of La Leche League International.

Williams Whatefteld