Slightly odd BFing problem (I think...)

[ElphabaTheGreen]

When I saw a BFing specialist when DS was just a couple of weeks old, she got me doing exaggerated latch using a cross cradle hold and breast compressions to improve my latch and generally make the whole process a bit more efficient. This all worked very well and DS (almost 5 months) and I are EBFing with the pros.

However, I've never dropped the habit of breast compressions and while I don't 'compress' as such any more, as DS would likely slam against the opposite wall with the force of my letdown these days, I do keep my right hand supporting my right boob and vice versa. If I don't do this, my boob falls out of his mouth or the latch slips to quite an uncomfortable position. Unfortunately my forearms, wrists and thumb joints are getting perpetually sore from this arrangement.

Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions?

[Goldmandra]

Could you feed lying down some of the time so the surface you are lying on holds the latch for you?

[ElphabaTheGreen]

I still have to hold on to my boob when I do that, partly so I don't suffocate him, partly because it still falls out of his mouth.. He's also too long for the rugby ball/clutch hold. He kicks off the back of the sofa.

[SJisontheway]

Roll up a muslin and shove it under boob to hold it up and in place. Not great for out and about but works a treat at home

[Goldmandra]

That's a shame. DD1 used to start to suffocate if I didn't push down on the bit of breast just under her nose when I lay down. HV used to tell me if Ileft it she would adjust her position but all she did was suck harder and harder as she got more desperate to breath and I thought she was going to take my nipple off!

The only other thing I can think of is nipple shields because they hold their shape a bit more.

[ElphabaTheGreen]

DS is NOT FOOLED by nipple shields! The last time I tried them (in one of my many attempts of transitioning him onto a bottle) he managed to chomp them off, spit them out, then get back to business in his usual fashion (that's if he'd even deign to put his mouth near me when wearing them).

I have tried the muslin thing, or bunched up the pillow he lies on so it's a bit more supportive, but as you say, when out and about...been out all day and I feel positively arthritic now. My positioning is generally awkward altogether for going out.

[Goldmandra]

Oh dear!

You may just have to console yourself that in a few months he should be old enough to adjust his own position and maybe use his own hands if you don't in the same way that FF babies learn to hold their own bottle.

[MigGril]

hum could be a positioning issue. Do you have a local breastfeeding drop in group you could go to.

You should really let your breast fall naturally without holding it and bring baby to the nipple. This way you should be able to maintain the same position for the whole feed. the main problem with holding the breast apart from sore hands is you risk a blocked duct, as milk may not be able to drain effectively from behind you're fingers. don't panic about it I it's just something you should be aware of.

Making sure you have baby well tucked into you should help to. tummy to tummy.

I know it can be hard when you have a big bust (I'm well endowed) but it does get easier as they can hold there head better.