Consequences of Nipple Confusion
The problem of nipple confusion also leads to other problems. On the mother’s end, it can lead to sore nipples. Because it is so much easier to feed from an artificial teat, your baby may try feeding the way they feed with the teat on your nipples. This means that they are not latched on properly and your nipples become sore. If your baby had poor latching skills to begin with, nipple confusion can make their latching skills even worse.
On the baby’s end, a consequence of nipple confusion with preference for the bottle is that you may have to wean your child from the bottle when they become older. Babies can become very attached to their bottles, and not want to give it up for a long time. Babies find comfort in sucking, and it can be very hard for them to give up. So if you wean your child from your breasts to the bottle, you may have to wean them again from the bottle to cups and glasses.
Allowing your child to drink from a bottle till after their first birthday can lead to baby tooth decay. To remedy this, it is recommended that babies stop night feeds with the bottle. Some doctors tell mothers to breastfeed till a child is old enough to drink successfully from a cup or baby cup, and then wean them at that point. This is not always possible though, and most babies do have to be weaned from their bottle as well.
If your child seems to be gaining weight when feeding from the bottle, as a consequence of preferring the bottle nipple over yours, they may be eating too much. Monitor your baby’s weight and make sure they are not overweight for their size and age. This is the same if your baby seems to be losing weight as a consequence of preferring your nipple over the bottle, and you are trying to wean them towards the bottle. Making sure your baby stays the right weight is best for their growth and development. This is the importance behind routine checkups.
Nipple confusion and weaning can be an emotional time for a child and for you. Be patient with your baby as you guide them through the weaning process and any nipple confusion problems. Your baby can become very frustrated when they are unable to feed, and they are upset because they are hungry. Give both you and your baby time to adjust to the new systems and the varying nipples, and it should make it easier on you.
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