Following surgery, how can I get my newborn to nurse again?

Question

My awesome baby girl was born August 9th and, due to a coarctation, had to undergo heart surgery on the 12th. Because of the extensive monitoring/wires and her fragile state, nursing has been hard. However, she nursed from the day she was born up until surgery without any problems. Now, after surgery, she sometimes gets so upset from pain and/or frustration that she will only take a bottle about half the time (though it is still breastmilk that I pump for her, because I only want her to have breastmilk). She is recovering really well and eating heartily which is most important, but is there a way to get her back on the breast completely? It really hurts to not be able to share that time with her, especially after the rough start she had, every moment is even more precious and important.

I have met with a lactation consultant and am incorporating that advice, but would appreciate any personal experience and/or words of wisdom.

Answer 1

I had to bottle feed my daughter breast milk to get her out of the NICU after she was born.  When I got her home I quickly went to a breastfeeding clinic and sought their advice and help.

1.  Offer the breast when she is hungry but not starving.

2.  Only offer the breast every other feeding so you don't stress her out, just at first and then gradually try every single feeding, but don't make a big deal about it.

3.  Be consistant.

My daughter would take the breast some of the time and then I'd top her off with the bottle.  The advice I got was if she takes it once, she'll take it again.  Stop giving her the bottle as a top off and she'll just start nursing exclusively.  I did that and there was a week where she seemed to be constantly nursing, but it worked.  I breast fed her for 12 months!  

There are breast sheilds and stuff you can get to try to "trick" her to take the breast, definately go back to the consultant and get some more advice as to what your next step should be.

Good luck!