latched on via teat

[zar1]

hi, fitst time. my D latched on only after using a teat for 2 months. Also had to formula feed and express. But now that she has latched on she only drinks for 5 minutes and only from the left breast. need help!!! how do I get her to drink for longer? and how do I get her to drink from the right breast?

am tired of trying, have been constantly expressing but am not producing enough milk.

[princessmel]

Hi, well done for getting this far Does she just drink from the left side or does she have the left side and a bottle?

I thinks its common for a baby to have a favourite side. I'm not sure how you'd go about getting her to latch onto the other side. Have you spoken to a bf councellor, tried different possitions like lying down feeding?

About the length of feeds, my dd only drunk for 3 minutes max for months. I was worried at first but she got all she wanted in that time.

There are some really helpfull bf experts on here so hopefully they'll be able to help a bit more.

[EllieKthePA]

my 2 week old only likes the right hand side! and if i express i only get 1oz from left and 3 from right so i guess your body compensates for their preference

[zar1]

hi, I am formula feeding and giving 1 bottle feed from expressed milk. she mainly takes milk form me first thing in the morning and occasionaly during the day. thank you for the advice. will try different positions. will persist!

[crimplene]

Have you tried the rugby ball hold one the right side? Might fool her.

[PrettyCandles]

Have you tried feeding lying down in bed? If you can do that comfortably on the side she likes, then try moving slightly away from her and leaning over a bit further to bring the 'upper' breast close to her. She may then be happy to feed from that side. It's a bit awkward and ungainly at first!

And well done!

[zar1]

crimplene - for a second i thought you were taking the, you know what! took me a couple of seconds to clock on! DUH
Today she surprised me. tried her on the right breast, cried for a couple of minutes and then just latched on! very happy mummy. Now all I havew to do is get her to take most of her feeds from me instead of the bottle! piece of cake!

[zar1]

the most frustrating thing is now that she is FINALLY drinking from both breasts, I have another problem to deal with, TEETH. Only 15 weeks and got 2 teeth at the bottom and boy does she know how to use them! OUCH!

[crimplene]

Probably would have helped if I'd checked the grammer before posting. Sorry - no I thought it might be that she enjoyed lying on her right to feed. Oh good, I'm really pleased for you - just goes to show that it really is worth trying, and that it's not just the first few days they can get the technique.

[princessmel]

Thats great zar1. well done
About the teeth, my dd is 2om and has about 15 teeth, and its fine. When they first come through they are very pointy and sharp but you soon get used to it.

dd went through a phase of playing around and chomping on the nipples, ouch, but I just removed her as soon as she was playing and not drinking. She only did it for a few days. Another idea is that if you (gently)press them into the breast this makes them open their mouths and then they stop biting.