Is this nipple confusion ?

Question

Past two days my sister is nursing my 5 week old baby, as I am having difficulty in latching her.Does the baby know that mom is not feeding her, how is she is accepting to nurse on my sister.Will it cause confusion when I resume nursing tomorrow.

Answer 1

I agree with the first answer, YES the baby totally knows the difference even at 5wks, you have your own smell, feel, taste, etc.  Plus, another person should not be bf your baby due to risk of sickness, disease, etc.  If you are having problems with latching, you can consult a lactation specialist at your local hospital.  You should have been given those phone numbers during your hospital stay, and they will be able to help.  Perhaps even join a breastfeeding support group.  But handing the baby over to someone else to nurse, relative or not, is not going to solve the problem.  Keep that up, and you won't be nursing long.  Plus, I agree it is just slightly odd.

Answer 2

your baby wont get nipple confusion, but she still may have difficulty latching on to you.  hopefully, she will learn how to latch on and nurse well, which may make it easier for both of you.  have your sister show you the techniques she is using to latch her on, and have her help you use them.  do you have milk?  has the baby ever nursed well with you?  if not, you may not have much of a milk supply unless you have been pumping.  

these people freaking out that someone else is nursing your baby.  relax, this happens more than you know.  as long as it is someone you know, who is in good health with no major diseases, it is totally fine.  hopefully now you can nurse your baby on your own after her help.

Answer 3

Never heard of that!! Yes, she knows its not her mom.. Babies can tell by the smell.. I have to say its a little odd.. Why would you not just pump?!

Answer 4

Baby will know that your sister is not her mum, you smell different. But wet nurses have been used for generations, with no ill effects - any breast milk is better than no breast milk at all.

It could be that your baby didn't know what to do (some just don't have that instinct), and has had a bit of practice with an experienced breast feeder, and will be fine tomorrow. Nipple confusion is more likely to happen if you try to mix bottle and breast too early, as the sucking action is different for both. I think just 2 days away from your breast isn't going to make her refuse, she's not been away long enough to forget what your breast is like! When you do get back to nursing her yourself, ask your sister for some tips on what she did that made feeding so successful for her.  

Answer 5

Yes, babies can tell your smell, are you having troubles feeding your baby or just needed a break from nursing.  There is nothing ''gross'' about what your doing, women have help each other out like this long before that c**p formula became mainstream.  But it can cause confusion in the baby, she should switch back over to you in time, try spending lots of time with her and offer the breast to her constantly.  She should re-warm up to you as soon as she is hungry.  Try co-sleeping with her tonight to re-acquitian her with your scent, avoid anything like scented like lotion and perfurm to get her re-used to your smell.  Best of luck with it, if you need more help contacted the LLL

Answer 6

It is unfair on your baby. It is bound to be confusing if she is being fed by you, then your sister, then you again!! There must be a breastfeeding support group at your local hospital/health centre/clinic, they are trained to help with any difficulties. To latch a baby on successfully make sure and she is laying with her tummy to mummy below your breastand lift her towards your breast with her nose to your nipple. She needs a wide open mouth and need to take in as much of your nipple and areola (bit around your nipple teat) as possible. It is not good for your milk supply for another person to be nursing her. You need to feed her regularly to stimulate milk flow.Contact la leche league or National Childbirth Trust for more support. it is very common for new mums to find breastfeeding hard at first, but once you've cracked it you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.