When new mothers aim to exclusively breastfeed, challenges can arise, particularly if their baby struggles to latch. A recent photo shared by the Instagram account, Family Birth Collective, showcases a new mom, Sarah Thompson, using a little-known syringe feeding technique that might help solve this common issue.
The image features Sarah feeding her newborn, Luna, with a syringe just 17 hours after her birth. As it turns out, Luna was still quite drowsy and had difficulty latching onto the breast. “I had some knowledge of syringe feeding, but in the moment, I really needed someone to suggest it to me!” Sarah explained. “A lactation consultant visited our room and noticed that I was expressing colostrum, but Luna wasn’t able to latch properly. She brought in small cups and syringes to help us.”
With the consultant’s guidance, Sarah expressed colostrum into a cup and used the syringe to feed Luna tiny drops. “Each drop made her smile and relax,” Sarah shared. “Moments after getting that nourishment, she became more alert and actually attempted to latch!”
For the first week, Sarah continued using the syringe in tandem with breastfeeding. Now, at three weeks old, Luna is exclusively breastfed. Sarah expressed no regrets about the initial difficulties they faced. “I felt empowered and happy to nourish my baby, even if it wasn’t in the traditional sense. I understood it might take some time,” she said.
While bottles are often the go-to alternative for breastfeeding, there are various methods to help babies feed while they work on their latch. Alongside syringe feeding, options like cup feeding, where the baby laps milk from a flexible cup, spoon feeding, and finger feeding can all be effective.
Through her heartfelt post, Sarah hopes to inspire other parents. She encourages them to embrace the unpredictability of motherhood, letting go of rigid expectations and instead approaching their baby’s needs with compassion and love.
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In summary, a photo shared by a new mom highlights a unique syringe feeding technique that can assist breastfeeding mothers facing latching issues. By utilizing this method, Sarah was able to nourish her baby while fostering a deeper connection, ultimately leading to successful breastfeeding.