Is this the end of BFing?

DS is only 3.5 months old but I feel like he is weaning himself already. I've had an LC over twice who helped me get DS over some fussiness at the breast about a month ago. She started me using a nipple shield since I thought the problems stemmed from getting too many bottles for a week while traveling to deal with FIL's passing. Things were getting better, but now I can't get DS to stay latched on at all, with or without the shield. He's pretty much been exclusively formula-fed since I got back from my business trip the Friday before Christmas since he cries and fusses at the breast and won't eat. I'm sure my supply has significantly decreased since I have not been pumping that often. Is this the end of BFing? I don't know what else to do.

Re: Is this the end of BFing?

Call the LC again. If you haven't kept up with the pumping, then I'm sure your supply has decreased. NOT to worry though- keep trying to get him to latch, and then pump. You'll probably have to start back at square one and have to really nurse/pump alot for a day or two, but your supply should come back up.

Be patient- even if DS only stays latched for a minute or two- it's still progress. If you keep at it, he'll slowly starting latching on longer and longer. Perhaps give him a little bit in the bottle at first, but then put him to the breast. This way he won't be starving and won't get frustrated as quickly.

My DD was very fussy at the breast for a LONG time. I also used a nipple shield. TRY to get DS to latch WITHOUT the shield- as using a shield WILL decrease your supply as it doesn't allow for proper stimulation of the let down reflex. If you are using the shield, try to pump after the feeding, as the pump provides more stimulation than the shield.

If it's something you really want to do, you'll get it. Don't beat yourself up though if you decide to stop BFing- as it's really OK to go to formula as well.

Good luck to you!!!!

Re: Is this the end of BFing?

Im in a similar boat as you, my dd is 3m 1wk old and doesnt latch on during day time. She will during the night feedings, so i have to constantly pump and make sure i have BM for her in bottles during day. My supply isnt very high, i believe b/c she doesnt feed off breast during day. I discussed with my peds and she said it was okay for me to give dd a bottle of formula a day, so i been doing that only if i dont have bm. Im going to keep on trying to make this work until shes 6m old. I just do a day by day kinda thing.

Re: Is this the end of BFing?

Babies don't self-wean at 3.5 months. It sounds like he's developed a bottle preference. (Bottles flow faster than the breast, and if he's had latch issue, he might prefer the faster flow of the bottle.)

Here are some articles from kellymom.com for your reference:
Help- Baby Won't Nurse
About Self Weaning
About bottle feeding
If you wish to continue BFing, you may want to get back in touch with your LC.

GL