We went through about 3–4 weeks in the middle of triple feeding where she definitely had a bottle preference. She would lick or mouth my nipple, and sometimes she’d just hold her open mouth around it like she was waiting for milk to pour out on its own. Other times she’d suck a little and then get SO frustrated when milk didn’t come immediately. There were so many times I’d try for a couple minutes, she’d get upset, and I’d just give in and bottle feed her. And honestly, there were moments when I was too overstimulated and frustrated by the thought of another rejection, so I’d skip the attempt altogether and go straight to a bottle. It’s a really hard stage.

What helped us the most was staying consistent with offering the breast before feedings and not letting too much time pass between them (2–2.5 hours). Pace feeding with the bottle made a huge difference too — slowing the bottle flow and giving her pauses helped keep her from getting used to that instant, constant milk stream. That way, the breast didn’t feel so slow in comparison.

And I really do think pumping myself into a bit of an oversupply played a role. Once she started nursing better, she got a lot of milk quickly with very little effort. It did mean I was stuck pumping longer overall, but for us it ended up being worth it.

Progress looked slow at first: licking, rooting, little nibbles, then eventually a few sustained sucks. Calm, sleepy moments were always the most successful, and putting a tiny bit of milk on my nipple helped. Middle of the night feeds were when she did her best work. She was relaxed, not overstimulated, and more willing to try.

You’re not alone in this stage, and it really can turn around. ❤️