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Questions and Answers

Q. I'm worried that my new baby has nipple confusion. How can I tell?

A. Nipple confusion can be recognized in a baby who has nursed well at some point previously but after being fed with artificial nipples or given a pacifier begins to refuse to suckle at the breast. The baby will usually approach the breast eagerly but roots frantically with his mouth open and even with the mother's nipple in his mouth he does not seem to recognize it and will not close his lips around it and begin to nurse. If your baby is doing this you must not let him have any artificial nipples in his mouth. Sometimes expressing the breast milk into his mouth will get him to latch on. Although sometimes, despite your persistance, he still refuses to take the breast. Then feeding him breast milk with a cup, eyedropper or syringe might be necessary until he can be retrained to the breast but you would be better off seeking professinal help from a lactation consultant if that is the case.

Cyndi Klausing, RN, ACCE, has been a childbirth educator and breastfeeding counselor for over 18 years. She currently works as a newborn nursery nurse and is the mother of four sons.

Cyndi will answer your questions on fertility, pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and babies. Her advice does not take the place of your practitioner. Personal answers will not always be possible.