Breastfeeding - latch getting worse at 7 weeks

[zahaziland]

Hello,

I have an adorable 7 week old little boy. Birth was a little complicated (cord around neck, and forceps) and DS was quite distressed. He was poorly and weak after birth and didn't feed at all for almost 48 hours.

With the help of the brilliant staff, I managed to start breastfeeding, but he had great difficult latching on. The staff suggested nipple shields as my nipples are quite small and short (DS didn't quite have the strength to suckle them properly). With the help of the nipple shields I was able to breastfeed. DS always had a good latch with the nipple shields (wide open mouth, nose to breast, lips flanged out)
I weaned off the nipple shields around 3 weeks ago, and within 3-4 days he was feeding well without them.

Since a few days now, DS' latch has become sloppier. He doesn't really open his mouth wide open, he just slobbers all over my nipple, which then becomes slippery and it takes a good few goes before he is properly latched on. When he does, although he seems to feed well and I don't have any pain.

Any advice on how to improve his latch now? Does it matter, as long as he feeds well and it isn't painful?

Thanks

[curlykale]

I'd suggest finding your local breastfeeding support or la leche league group (you can ask your HV or go online - LLL has a website where you can search for your area). They can give you help with latching technique.

And I'd highly recommend seeing an osteopath. This can help a lot especially if the birth was difficult, which may have caused tension that's hindering an effective latch. But find one that is experienced with babies - your bf support group may be able to recommend one. Where are you?

[zahaziland]

thanks, I'll look into a bf support group. I guess I wasn't sure whether it's really a problem given that he seems to feed well and enough, and it isn't painful for me (just annoying when he is slobbering all over my nipple!!!)

DS did have osteopathy when he was 10 days old. The osteopath suggested returning when he is 3 months and 6 months.

[curlykale]

Well maybe just some small tweaks or a different technique could help. The support groups should be able to help even if on balance you're doing ok. And if you're out and about it's nice to get the latch first time - it's a pain if you're having to re latch. You could try shaping the breast like you're feeding a burger, extended latch or nipple flip - google them...all can help with a shallow latch.

I'd be tempted to return to the osteo sooner...different technique can help but it's good if they can tackle the root of the problem.

[zahaziland]

thanks curly i've googled nipple flip, so going to try that. I hadn't thought about the advantage of having a good latch straight away, when I am out and about, so I definitely want to see if I can improve it now (at least go back to what it was like before).