Contents:
- Medical Video: DEALING WITH NIPPLE CONFUSION / BREASTFEEDING PREMATURE BABY
- What is confused nipples?
- How to overcome nipple confusion?
Medical Video: DEALING WITH NIPPLE CONFUSION / BREASTFEEDING PREMATURE BABY
Ever heard of the term confused nipples? Confusion of nipples is common in infants early in life. This certainly can interfere with exclusive breastfeeding to infants. But don't worry, there are a number of things you can do to overcome this.
What is confused nipples?
Babies who always get breast milk directly from their breasts and never get a milk bottle may never experience nipple confusion. Confused nipples can occur when a baby who is used to sucking the milk bottle pacifier, then tries to suck the nipple of the mother's breast again.
Sucking pacifiers by sucking on mother's breasts is certainly different for babies. Babies may have to work harder to suck on the mother's breast. Why? This is because the baby has to open his mouth and attach it well to the mother's breast to comfortably suck the mother's breast. When sucking on the mother's breast, the baby must move about 40 of her facial muscles to get breast milk until her stomach is full.
When a baby sucks on a pacifier, he doesn't have to bother to get milk. The baby only needs to open his mouth and then the pacifier will approach his mouth. Then, the milk will drip little by little from the dot and the baby does not need to be as strong as sucking the pacifier.
Now, when a baby is used to sucking pacifiers easily, he may find it difficult to have to suck on the breast, so he refuses to suckle in the mother's breast. Usually, to stick to the mother's breast well the baby will find it difficult if he is used to pacifiers.
How to overcome nipple confusion?
Confused nipples are usually experienced by babies who are introduced to milk bottles too early. Therefore, experts recommend that babies not be given milk bottles until they are around the age of 4-6 weeks, reported WebMD.
Of course, confused nipples can have a bad impact on the baby. Confused nipples can make the baby feel difficult in getting breast milk from the mother's breast. In fact, some people consider confused nipples as one of the reasons babies stop breastfeeding in their breasts earlier. For that, confused nipples must be addressed immediately. How to?
- Then breastfeed the baby. One thing you must keep doing so that your baby does not experience nipple confusion is to continue to offer the baby ASI directly from your breast. Initially you may find it difficult, the baby also finds it difficult to stick to your breast. However, if you keep trying (without forcing the baby), this can help the baby to find a comfortable position to suckle in the mother's breast.
- Help the baby suckle. You might be able to help your baby more easily reach your breasts. When the baby's mouth is open, help the baby to stick and suck your nipples properly. You can also massage your breasts to help remove breast milk while breastfeeding.
- Breastfeeding at the right time. Babies must be hungry so that they suckle in your breasts well. Hungry babies will usually suck your breasts with enthusiasm, so they can get more milk. This makes him satisfied and full after breastfeeding.
- Reduce use of milk bottles, including pacifiers. Continually offering milk bottles and pacifiers to babies can make babies more difficult to be able to enjoy breastfeeding in the mother's breast. For that, you should reduce the frequency of using milk bottles or pacifiers, especially when the baby is still small or not yet good at breastfeeding the breast.
