“Teat Confusion “: Symptoms, Causes And Prevention

Many newborns have trouble breastfeeding directly from their mother’s breasts. Teat confusion is one of the problems that can occur.

Some babies may even harm their mother while breastfeeding. This is especially true for premature babies. It is very common to have sore and sore nipples.

This happens if the baby does not have a good grip on the nipple and then can injure the mother.

A child may become confused when switching between a baby bottle and breastfeeding and not want to accept food from one or both. Then you may need to let the baby eat without him or her having to suck on the nipple. Using a syringe is a good method of feeding babies who cannot get a good grip on the nipple.

Let’s take a closer look at this problem and how to solve it.

What is pacifier confusion and how does it occur?

Nipple confusion is when the baby shows reluctance to be fed from the mother’s breast. The baby has a tendency to prefer the baby bottle because it is not as strenuous to swallow the milk.

This problem usually occurs when feeding newborns alternately with the baby bottle and the breast. It sends the wrong message to the baby and confuses him or her when you want the baby to breastfeed.

Many mothers use the baby bottle while breastfeeding because they have no other options. The problem is that it can create confusion in the baby when he or she has to suck on both the pacifier on the bottle and the nipple.

It is common for this to occur in cases where newborns have been separated from the mother during the first period after delivery.

This can also happen with infants who are fed with infant formula or pumped breast milk when the mother is not at home. This can give rise to what is called a “breastfeeding strike”.

This “strike” affects the mother’s milk production and can cause mastitis. In cases where it is not treated in time, it can mean the end of breastfeeding for the mother and child.

How can you avoid pacifier confusion and correct it?

One of the ways you can prevent the onset of pacifier confusion is to not give your baby pacifiers and baby bottles. Try to do this only during the first six months of life, or never use them if possible.

Sometimes it is absolutely necessary, as if, for example, the mother is ill or has to go back to work and the child will be with her father or a third party. It is then recommended that the baby be allowed to eat from a pacifier with a very slow flow.

Parents can also choose to use a syringe. Place your middle finger against the baby’s palate and let him or her suck to get the milk out of it.

Different methods of feeding with a syringe

Here are some methods you can use to feed the baby with a syringe:

• The syringes suitable for feeding a child should be 6.0 cm or less.
• When it is time to feed the baby, place the middle finger in the baby’s mouth and when he or she starts sucking, inject the milk with the syringe along the finger.
• The parent should sit in a comfortable position that allows him or her to use both hands. The child should be calm.
• This method is good for premature babies or those who have come to prefer a baby bottle over the breast. You can correct this with patience and commitment.

As we have already mentioned, experts recommend that you do not use baby bottles and pacifiers. Experts recommend that the mother breastfeed the baby when he or she is calm and relaxed. You should not do this when the baby is desperately hungry, as it may cause the baby to have bad associations with the nipple.

If the mother is a little worried that she does not have a strong enough milk flow, she can use a breast pump a few minutes before breastfeeding so that she is sure that the milk has flowed to when the baby is going to eat.

When is it good to use a breast pump?

The breast pump is useful when the mother feels that her breasts are too full, if they produce more milk than the baby has time to suck. It is then important to empty the breasts a little with the breast pump to relieve the tension.

This also gives the father the chance to feed his child. All you have to do is give him the breast milk and he can use a baby bottle or syringe.

You can see that pacifier confusion has a number of effective solutions, but it is very important to be patient.

With the information listed here, you can get your baby to breastfeed from your breast eventually.