Is there a professional that will come to my house to help me with BF problems?

[EdieMcredie]

...I have been invited to a BF cafe thing but would find it more helpful if someone helps me at home (im having problems with positioning on right breast). I know my HV would come over but don't find her that helpful. Is there anyone else?

[weepotion]

edie - i am not an expert but have you tried any of the helplines - nct, breastfeeding network or laleche league? i found them really really useful in the early days. our local hospital had a bf specialist who ran a drop in clinic to help out. i also went to a bf support group.

i dont want to pry - but how many weeks is your wee one? what kind of problems are you having? is it the position / latch?

[Rubineski]

Have you tried your local NCT? Depends on the local group but some have bf'ing counsellors who will visit. It's all voluntary so it's pot luck.

However, I found that my local health service ran a bf'ing clinic every week. It's in one of the local clinics and they have lovely counsellors who help you. Usually just a drop-in clinic, so be prepared to be in a room of half a dozen other stressed mums. But I actually enjoyed it - esp as it gave me something to do.

Do an internet search as well as asking HV/Dr.
Search for whatever your local area is + breastfeeding.

Best bit of the clinic was when (in one of the pre-birth classes they run) they got out a knitted breast to show us about positioning. Couldn't keep a straight face, but hell, I remembered!

[gigglewitch]

get in touch with la leche who have peer counsellors (mee!) NCT and others too. not sure whether i'd consider myself competent or capable do the positioning thing ... are you out of community midwife care now? or is there one you could contact?
tiktok is one of the bf queens on here, just hope she (or other bf royalty) spots this and turns up.

[meandmy]

ask your hv as there is a bf group in the local surestart centre once a week in my area hth

[moondog]

Edie,the support you will hopefully find at a b/feeding cafe 9and meeting other women dealing with the same issues) might help.

I would recommend the helpline too.
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers

08444 122 949

Can we help at all?

[gigglewitch]

are u able to say what are u live in?

[EdieMcredie]

Well seeing as MN cured my last BF problem, you probably can help. And thanks for all the answers, I may pop along to the clinic and also call one of the helplines tomorrow.

I cannot get her positioned right on my right breast. I use a pillow for my left, with her tummy to tummy and it works well. However I cannot seem to replicate this on the other breast. Her arms are all over the place (don't like swaddling!) and my nipple is sore. I am never comfortable either, no matter how hard I try. I know she is not latched on this side as she has made my nipple a funny wedge shape.

And yes TikTok was v helpful with my last problem I seem to remember

[EdieMcredie]

Im in Norwich

[Rubineski]

Have you tried the 'rugby ball' position, with her lying next to you, under your arm?

I did this when I got a cracked nipple and it stopped it hurting.

[EdieMcredie]

Yes I can do that position but became worried when a book I bought went on about their chin not touching their chest and I think it might in that position.

She is gaining weight very well. She is 4 weeks old and has gone from 8.8 to 10.8.

[moondog]

Yes, I found the rugby ball hold very effective.
Also lying down.
Have you tried one of those big u shaped cushions as well?
Also a stool/pile of books under you feet?

[moondog]

Why can't the chin touch the chest???

[gigglewitch]

would reckon the rugby ball idea is worth a try, also something a bit ?odd i had to do with DS2 who was all over the place, opened his mouth really wide then half shut it before locating boob, was as suggested by midwife, guide the back of his head straight to the right target when you know the mouth is wide. otherwise they don't get enough in their mouth and make u sore but u know that one already.
Know what u mean about them reacting differently to the 2 sides. would it help to feed on the "ok" side and express from the sore one for a short time, if it's very painful?

[Rubineski]

Good that she's gaining weight.

The NCT line is: 0870 444 8708 (8am to 10pm every day).

[moondog]

That's worth a go Giggle.
Or try a nipple shield??

[gigglewitch]

have a nosey at www.laleche.co.uk - but only between posting to us of course

[EdieMcredie]

Moondog-Because apparently they can't swallow like that (although she actually swallows fine but the book has made me paranoid!)

Her mouth is never wide open, maybe that's the problem. She does this thing where she opens and shuts it very quickly!

[puppydavies]

i found the latching videos on breastfeeding.com really helpful, especially how you hold the boob to get the nipple positioned right. do you know about the assymetric latch? where you want more of the aereola (sp!?) below the nipple in their mouth than above the nipple iyswim. if you find they're burying their nose in the boob rather than their chin (which is what you want) just pull them slightly towards the opposite armpit to the boob they're feeding on and that tilts the head up and elongates the neck.

see my descriptions are rubbish this is why videos are so good

[puppydavies]

ps yay on the fab weight gain, sounds like your very nearly on track

[puppydavies]

you're

[EdieMcredie]

Thanks PD I will try that

[MrsMar]

hi edie, in my red book there's a number for the local bfc. i tried to make an appt for her nhs clinic but there was a three week wait. i didn't want to wait that long so i booked a private visit from her.... its costing me a fortune, £120 for an hour, but there isn't anything i wouldn't pay right now. do you something similar you could try? the bfc is due here in ten mins so i'll let you know if its worth it!