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How can a mom get her newborn to breastfeed?

2,977 views · Published 22 February 2013 · 2:52 · Indexed 26 September 2026

Channel: IntermountainParents · 2013 · Autos & Vehicles

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You mentioned that you have a friend who has a two week old baby and she's really struggling to breastfeed.  This is a really common problem especially when moms have their first baby because they've never breastfed before.  Most lactation specialists will tell you that most moms feel like breastfeeding isn't going really well until about six weeks after the baby is born.  As long as the baby is growing well and there are no signs of dehydration and there aren't any issues with supply, then if it's just a little bit difficult for the mom they say keep trying for about six weeks.  If you live in the Utah County area your friend can go to A Mother's Touch Lactation Clinic which is at Orem Community Hospital and the phone number is 801-714-3324.  She can make an appointment to see a lactation specialist in person and for 30 minutes she has their one-on-one undivided attention and they can watch her nurse and decide what's going right and if anything needs to be adjusted.  They'll also weigh the baby before the feeding and after to see how much milk the baby is getting.  It sounds like she might have some issues with flat or inverted nipples; you mentioned that you've tried a nipple shield.  She can also try using a pump to get the nipple to come out, to draw it out before she actually latches the baby on and sometimes that helps mothers who have flat or inverted nipples until the baby naturally just sucks it out and it stays out from breastfeeding on a regular basis.  You are right, if your friend is wanting to maintain a breast milk supply but is only pumping once a day in the morning she is really going to struggle with her supply.  It's a supply and demand sort of thing.  If she wants to continue producing breast milk she needs to pump as frequently as her baby is eating, which at this point is probably still every two to three hours all the way around the clock.  She might be pumping 8-12 times in a 24 hour period and that's correct, that's right.  That's totally fine.  Her baby will get the same benefits from breast milk whether she nurses her baby or gives it through a bottle after she's pumped the milk, either are fine.  The most important thing at the end of the day is that the baby is gaining weight and growing well.  It will also be really important for her to keep in contact with her baby's pediatrician to make sure her baby is gaining weight.  Tell her to track the number of wet diapers she is seeing each day.  As long as she's seeing about six wet diapers a day then her baby is most likely getting enough to drink.  If there is ever an issue where the baby is not gaining weight then maybe formula is the right alternative.  Formula fed kids go to kindergarten too.  Sometimes it's necessary to nourish a baby and help them grow and thrive and be happy and healthy.  If you have any other questions for me feel free to ask them on our Facebook page and recommend us to your friends and family too.

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