Quote:
Originally posted by bold_n_brazen
And honey, it is my firm belief that everyone is capable of breastfeeding successfully. Just decide you're going to do it, don't let the nurses in the hospital talk you into giving the little one even one tiny bottle, and grit your teeth through the first 4 weeks. It gets easier as you and your baby both figure out what the hell to do.
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I disagree. My wife successfully breastfed Soupette #s 2 and 3, but Soupette #1 could not be persuaded to latch on. For a while my wife pumped and we fed the baby the milk with an eyedropper. Two consults with lactation experts did not help with the lacthing on. After about a week of the baby not latching on, mom's milk wasn't coming in as much and the baby was dehydrated and turning a bit blue.
The doctor announced that we had to immediately switch to formula. The baby did beautifully with the bottle. I remember a nurse remarking, "Aren't you glad you live in a time where we have baby formula? Otherwise your child would die." Thanks, nurse.
Near as I can tell, my wife did nothing different with the 2nd and 3rd children, but they both latched on properly. In hindsight, I realize that Soupette #1 simply did not have the personality for breastfeeding: she is stubborn, has no patience, and has a ferocious temper.
So, no matter how motivated the mom is, some babys simply won't breastfeed. To suggest otherwise is simply nipple nazi propaganda.
Some of my friends suggest that my wife must have done things differently with the 2nd and 3rd kids. They say that the Soupette #1 wouldn't have let herself starve to death by not eating. Perhaps she wouldn't have, but as you can imagine, it wasn't a theory I was willing to test.
