When your baby can't latch after birth ....

Why might it might be happening : 

•      Separation of mum and baby (missed feeding cues and the baby gets too frantic         to latch)
•       No Skin to Skin after birth.
•       Birth Trauma (vacumn, forcepts, rough  suctioning)
•       Medications given during labour  can make him sleepy.
•       Mucousy babies sometimes don’t feel hungry .
•       Inability to latch (tongue tie, large nipple , engorgement) 

     What to do 

•     Lots and lots of skin to skin
•    Never force the baby on the breast , don’t push his head, stop and soothe if too      upset to try latching.  read more here 
•   Watch for hunger cues – keep your baby near you as you will notice first  .  See hunger cues - 
•     Try Laid Back Nursing/ biological nurturing .  Watch it 
•     Shape the breast into a “U” or “C” shape to help baby attach.
•    Try feeding lying down . 
•    Try Reverse Pressure Softening if the areola is puffy. How to do RPS 
•    Feed the baby with colostrum every 2-3 hours (about 3-5 mls if possible) . Hand    expression works  much better on day 1 -3.  How to hand express 
•     Keep trying to latch – keep doing skin to skin .
•     Avoid bottles in the early days, Cups/spoons, syringe feeding will  avoid  flow /nipple confusion. 
•     Nipple shields should not be used until after your milk has come in.   

     A baby who has  still not latched by 24 hours needs to be assessed by an IBCLC .
 Finally  remember this is temporary , it doesn't mean your baby will never breastfeed – it’s not your fault, your baby is not rejecting you.