Breastfeeding help

[taten]

My gorgeous little girl was born 10 days early, this is her 4th day and we got home last night from hospital. While bf had been a little hit and miss in hospital I was hand expressing and giving her that. At home though it has gotten worse she gets so very worked up, gets on and then pushes herself off. Latching on properly is a problem, the midwives said she does get her mouth wide enough but also sucks her tongue. I really want to do so anyone who has any advice or knows a bf'ing guru in London I would really appreciate it, mum is getting a bit upset by it all!

Sorry she doesn't get her mouth wide enough

Google the NCT breastfeeding helpline / la leche league / breastfeeding network, and call your midwife / health visitor who should be able to give you information. I only know about Waltham Forest I'm afraid, and don't have conbtact details, but if you happen to live here then there are counsellors who come out to your house (don't know the numbers anymore I'm afraid). There are national helplines you can call too. What about BF groups in your area? They're usually held at childrens centres.
Get someone to check for tongue tie too if ahe is not opening her mouth enough.
You're doing brilliantly, but it is horribly frustrating for you and baby, I know I've been there! Call a helpline as soon as you can and hopefully that will set you on your way to things getting better.

Also expressing (I used an electric pump) and feeding her with a cup / tube can talke the pressure off. I expressed for weeks and weeks to top up until we got things sorted. It also gives your nipples a break!

taten - sorry no advice on how to help your LO feed but I just wanted to repeat what lovely74 said - find out where & when there are breastfeeding clinics near you. These were very helpful for me, not only with getting good advice on feeding but also to meet other Mum's to talk to as I found BF stressful and upsetting at times and to talk it over with other mums in the same boat really made me feel better.

Also I would get your latch checked by a breastfeeding counsellor as I learnt the hard way that a bad latch leads to other problems.

Good luck, you can do it and it will work out for you both.

Oh and congratulations

"sucks her tongue"
please get her checked for tongue tie
Congratulations

Thanks, been hand expressing as well, expecting milk to come in today / tomorrow. Will speak to the midwife who is coming today. I think I put a lot of pressure on myself to be able to do this straight away or at least by now, have to be a little realistic I think. She doesn't have tongue tie, they checked this at the hospital