Breastfeeding after an Initial Delay Is Possible

by LisaC

For a number of reasons, often due to health issues with the baby or the mother, breast-feeding may not be initiated immediately after delivery. The question is often asked “Is it possible to initiate after a delay?” The simple answer is yesit is possible and relatively easy up to two weeks after delivery to transition the baby from a bottle and formula to the more natural and healthy breast-feeding method.

Mothers who have delayed breast-feeding might encounter a couple of common issues, most notably would be the difficulty of transferring an infant who has become accustomed to the bottle to the breast. The other issue might be that of establishing a milk supply after a period of delay.

To deal with the first issue, the infant who has become used to a bottle and might resist latching on to the breast, one of the best things to do is to spend a lot of time in skin to skin contact. Some infants experienced no problems whatsoever transitioning from bottle feeding to breast-feeding.

However, if the infant is resistant to breast-feeding, a mother might use a clear silicone nipple shield that may help an infant get used to the breast because it feels more like the bottle nipple that they are used to.

Medela makes such a shield and it is relatively inexpensive and yet can help overcome one of the more common issues experienced by mothers transitioning infants from the bottle to the breast.

The other issue often encountered if there has been a delay in initiating breastfeeding after delivery is without the milk supply will often need to be established. Frequent stimulation of the breast by attempts to feed the baby is one of the most natural and frequently recommended courses. However, it can also be helpful to obtain a hospital grade breast pump for a short period of time. It normally does not take too long to establish an adequate supply of milk so soon after delivery.
At first a mother may want to use a supplemental feeding device which supplies formula while the baby sucks at the breast. Doing this will provide the proper stimulation for the breast to establish milk supply and yet ensure that the infant is getting adequate nutrition during this period.

There are several methods of establishing an adequate milk supply as well as transitioning the baby from bottle to breast. Many mothers may find that consulting with a lactation specialist is a great benefit and will help guide them in their choices.

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