Refusing breast after 2 wks of Bottle-feeding...still have questions!

I had the flu two weeks ago and the ped recommended I avoid direct contact with DC until I was fever-free for 24 hours.

I'd been pumping since he was born so we had an ample supply in the freezer. He had been taking bottles here and there but the night feedings were nursing sessions.

I took two weeks to make sure I was completely fine and both DC's were healthy. Today I tried nursing him but he seems to have 'forgotten' how to do it.

Should I push it (ie stop giving him any bottles so that he'll be very hungry and then take the breast)? Or should I look at it as a positive thing, as I won't have to worry about him refusing the bottle when I go back to work.

Also, it's so emotional that he refuses to nurse - I wasn't ready to stop nursing - I feel like I miss him.

UPDATE -- I've tried to have him latch for several days now and I still don't want to give up yet. Am I crazy to keep trying to get him to nurse? Is 12 wks too old to get him to re-latch --- even though his last nursing session was 2 wks ago? I'm SO frustrated that I listened to the ped to NOT nurse.

Message edited 2/11/2010 7:28:55 PM.

Re: Nursing 'hiatus' due to flu -- refusing breast now?

anyone?

Re: Nursing 'hiatus' due to flu -- refusing breast now?

If you want to continue BF, you should keep trying to put him on the breast.

Re: Nursing 'hiatus' due to flu -- refusing breast now?

I would definitely continue to try and nurse. Try talking to an LC on ways to get DS to latch back on.

Re: Nursing 'hiatus' due to flu -- refusing breast now?

Keep putting him to the breast, just make sure the whole experience is happy and light, you don't want to force it on him. My DD didn't even LATCH initially until 8 weeks old so he can definitely go back.

Also, in the future, if you are sick nurse the baby. There is no reason to separate yourself and stop nursing because of illness. Unfortunately some doctors still reccomend this but its not the case. Check out Kelly mom. com or LLL or call a LC

Re: Nursing 'hiatus' due to flu -- refusing breast now?

I would wait until he is good and hungry then massage the breast and try to hand express a little until you feel a letdown. This way the milk is right there for him. Rub some milk around the nipple so the taste is there and then try to latch him. Squeeze the breast when he starts to suckle so he gets a good squirt of milk then let him take over. Also make sure the breast is not too full or he may have problems latching.
good luck

Re: Nursing 'hiatus' due to flu -- refusing breast now?

Thanks so much. I'm going to keep trying, even though DH says I should be happy DS takes a bottle...he doesn't understand why I still want to nurse DS...