Struggling to get a good latch but can't see why?

[Bumperlicious]

DD2 is 5 days old, feeding is up and down, but mostly not great. I'm really struggling with getting a proper latch. I know the principles and think I am doing it right but my nipples suggest otherwise. DD does seem to be getting a decent feed but my nipples are coming out pointy and blistered.

Any tips? I know it is hard to advise online but would appreciate any tips.

Tried biological nurturing in the first few days but struggled with that too, DD getting too frustrated and I was getting uncomfortable, so we are mostly doing cross cradle hold sat upright.

Am swaddling her, which is helping, but she twists her head to the side and then cries.

I'm getting really frustrated, plus she is looking slightly yellow and I am concerned that maybe she isn't getting enough. Midwife is coming over later, but none of them have been much help with feeding so far (only seen them twice and hadn't realised how bad it was).

There is a breastfeeding group on Tuesday so I will definitely go there, but need coping strategies in the meantime.

Has she been checked for tongue tie?

Not by MW, but DH and I have had a look and fairly sure that is not the problem.

Okay. If she is yellow it could be jaundice? I don't know much about it, other than it is fairly common in newborns. I'd put the phone numbers of the BF helplines into your mobile in case they want you to go into hospital and you find you want advice while there.

www.kellymom.com/babyconcerns/bfhelp-jaundice.html Kellymom is usually good with these things too.

I'm trying to watch some videos. Going to try rugby hold next feed.

Am worried about jaundice. What will the mw do about it? Will it get better if I can just get positioning right?

Starting to feel despondent, and v tired, DD up from 3-6, then again at 7. Am snatching a few hours sleep with DH's help but not sleeping very well despite exhaustion.

I found feeding lying down easiest when we were getting started.

I also had a similar problem with blisters. You don't need to always have a bad latch for them to form and be irritated enough that they don't heal, the NCT councellor I spoke to suggested as little as one badly latched feed a day, which was probably happening at night, when it was dark and I was too tired to check the latch.

My LO would slip back on the breast when he was sleepy, causing a bad latch for part of a feed, which could go unnoticed. I found keeping an eye on him and removing and reattaching him whenever he slipped back really helped. If you are determined with it, they learn to stay put properly pretty fast.

Lansinoh was also a godsend, I wish someone had told me that this is better stuff than any other nipple cream - I was merrily slathering on a useless one for a week before discovered the difference.

yep mainlining lansinoh!

not getting feeding lying down very well, think that is worse for us for latching.

just trying rugby ball hold. thankfully i've not lost the skill learnt with dd of mnetting while feeding!

DS was a bit jaundiced but he also did have a TT which I think affected how well he was feeding in the early days. Even if you're fairly sure she doesn't have one you may as well get her checked for TT- just a partial one can cause major soreness for you even if it doesn't affect her.

Have you tried rearranging her lips a bit once she's on? It was a life saver for us- DS didn't have quite enough breast in the mouth because his top lip curled under slightly when he latched on. The BFC who sorted his tongie tie noticed it (it was almost imperceptible) and it saved me a lot of soreness. Once she's latched, gently lift her top lip and drop back down onto the breast and she'll draw in more breast with the suction. You can check her bottom lip too.

And don't forget to take paracetamol if you're not already- it works for sore nips too!

Thanks for the tips, just has a good latch (oh the relief knowing it was a good one!). have dug out my silverettes which will hopefully help. Forgot to ask about tongue tie, but will see a BFC on Tuesday so will ask her.

MW was good though, helped me with positioning. Suggested as I am right handed to use rugby ball on the right boob.

Now just need to get sleep sorted, mine (struggling to get off, and finding the right moment to sleep, coping with the noise) and hers, as she is fussing/windy between 3 and 6 atm and not settling in basket/hammock for very long.

She is jaundiced, but not too bad, had bloods back. Just need to keep feeding, and maybe get out of the house a bit, Hard when so exhausted. Is it normal to still feel like you've just had a baby (aching fanjo/pelvis/back) 5 days on.

Thing we are going to go back to basics a bit tomorrow too, skin to skin, in bed.

Good idea to go to bed tomorrow and feed alot. I think it is completely normal to feel this way after 5 days. Birth takes its toll on your body (however straighforward the birth) and 5 days isn't long to recover from it all.

Get some rest and make sure there's someone who can look after you.

Our DS was a bit jaundice, we put his moses basket near the window so he got plenty of sunlight and feed him lots of flush it out.

Totally normal, I felt like I'd been run over for weeks. Have you tried Arnica for the aching/bruised feeling? And ear plugs/i-pod for the noise.

A day in bed sounds like a good idea :)