Nipple size affecting latch

[awaywiththepixies]

My DC won't open her mouth sufficiently wide to get enough breast into her mouth to feed properly. She is feeding on just the nipple rather than nipple and surround. As a result she hasn't been putting weight on (she hasn't lost it either) but the consultant has decided the way to go with formula through a NGT. Any tips on how to get her to open her mouth a lot wider? I've big breasts and the breastfeeding midwife said my nipples are "on the large side".

Have you tried to latch her when she is absolutly screaming to be fed- horrible to hear i know but worth a try just to help her get the hang of it. Sorry if this suggestion is not appropriate if she is very prem or poorly and not yelling for food..

Hi,
sorry, don't have any experience of feeding with big breasts, but there are some articles on the kellymom website that may help. See link below (you may have to scroll down a bit to get to the right section).

www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/bfhelp-mother.html#large

I think the OP is talking about large nipples, not large breasts (the two are separate issues).

Nipples do come in a range of sizes (and shapes) - what help have you had to ensure she opens her mouth more? Many mums find cross-cradle holds work well - there are videos on Jack Newman's site.

Why formula through a NGT rather than expressed milk?

How old is your DD?

And why a NGT? Why not a cup, or (better still) a supplemental feeder? Or finger feeding, which can be used to train a baby to open more?

Interested in reason suggested NG tube. How old is your baby.

Defintely look at the Jack Newman videos. Found them a great help

I've no real advice but big sympathies as I can't get my DD to open her mouth wide either. It might be a weird suggestion but have you considered nipple shields? I've been using them because although DD has been putting on weight really well despite the latching issues, she really hurt me a lot. I've found she's been forced to open her mouth wider with the nipple shields to get over them as they're massive. Might be worth a shot for a couple of days to see if she gets the hang of it and keeps it up?

I'd also second the suggestion of feeding her when she's really hungry. It sounds harsh but I am going to start doing this, if only to keep her awake enough to finish a feed in less than an hour. I've found my DD is particularly lazy with her latching when she's merely peckish and not starving hungry.

my ds wouldn't open his mouth very wide and he did end up in hospital using an NGT at just a few days old because he got dehydrated. i was encouraged to express, though, and he only ever had EBM (and colostrum). has your consultant gone straight to this suggestion or have other options been tried?

after a couple of days with the NGT, ds did start feeding directly but not well. i then saw a brilliant lactation consultant who recommended cranial osteopathy (turns out he had a bit of clicky jaw; soon fixed), plus feeding with a supplementer for a while.