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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Struggling to get latch right

12 replies

dorcas111 · 19/02/2011 11:43

I've really struggled with bf since having my DD two weeks ago. We had a bad start- after feeding well in the hospital she then wouldn't latch on once we got home. Ended up jaundiced and having to go back to hospital the next day where I felt I had no choice but to give her a bottle of formula, which I feel really guilty about. I gave her a few more bottles through the night then managed to get her latched on the next day. However, the latch was poor and resulted in very badly cracked nipples. We have been getting help from bf clinics and things are improving, I've been wearing jelonet on my nipples which is helping them heal. However, they are still very painful and I still think I am getting the latch wrong. I do everything that I am 'supposed' to, ie nose to nipple, wait for her mouth to open, bring her on to my breast chin first etc. She looks like she is perfectly latched on, cheeks and chin against my breast, nose away from breast etc, yet when I take her off the nipple is still a bit misshapen- into a sort of ridge IYKWIM. Becasue my nipples are very sore and tender it is hard to tell when I latch her on if she is on correctly or not. I am feeling very despondent as I feel like I am just crap at bf and really not getting it at all. No matter what I do I seem to be getting her latched on wrong Sad. Any suggestions/ advice?

OP posts:
MamaChris · 19/02/2011 12:12

the first few weeks can be tough, but if you've been feeding her for two weeks then you're very clearly not at all crap at bf :) just this is something you and she have to learn to do together, which can take a bit of time

not an expert at latching, sorry, but wanted to reassure you that things will continue to improve. only thought - has anyone looked for a tongue tie? with both my babies who gave me persistently misshapen nipples, they had a tongue tie.

japhrimel · 19/02/2011 13:04

Try looking up the lower lip flip on askdrsears.com - that helped us.

Original poster
dorcas111 · 21/02/2011 11:10

Hi, thanks for your replies, sorry its taken me a while to get back on here. MamaChris I've had a look in her mouth but not sure what I am looking for as regards a tongue tie so will ask tomorrow at bf clinic. Thank you for your words of encouragement. japhrimel I had a look at the lower lip flip but when I attempted it she pulled off the nipple altogether- not quite sure how to do it?
I am still feeling very despondent. I've been to four bf clinics, researched extensively on the internet and know what it is I am 'supposed' to be doing but every time I latch her on, when she comes off my nipple is still misshapen in exactly the same way, it is so frustrating. I wish someone could tell me what I am doing wrong but all the bf counsellors say that the latch looks perfect. Has anyone else had this?

OP posts:
japhrimel · 21/02/2011 13:36

I found that while BFCs are great, they are not nearly as knowledgeable as infant feeding specialists or lactation consultants. Your LOs mouth shape and positioning can alse be factors for example. I was told my latch was fine - turned out my positioning wasn't wroking for my baby.

Limelight · 21/02/2011 14:26

I'm sure someone much much more knowledgable than me will come on here and disagree with me but....

DS was bf until 1yr and I'm now bf DD. I've had a bit of pain and discomfort with both for the first couple of weeks while I sorted out latch/positioning for each child (as others have said, they're all different!).

What I specifically wanted to point out though was that my right nipple is misshapen after all feeds (with a ridge as you describe) and has been with both DC. I don't know why and have never been able to get to the bottom of it. But It didn't seem to be a problem with either DC. Both gained weight, nappy count alright, no pain now etc. I also haven't been aware that they found it more difficult to get milk from my right breast or that they fed longer on that side or anything. So I don't worry about it.

There's so much fab info and support out there and I'm so glad you're accessing some of it. I just thought it was worth pointing out that there's not always a definitive answer. It might be a sign that something's wrong or it might not. Keep talking to the professionals and be confident that it will get better feed by feed.

Albrecht · 21/02/2011 15:01

Does it hurt you? I found damaged but healing nipples only hurt for a seconds (count to 10 or 20) while bad latch just hurts all the while they are feeding.

It is a faff but I just kept taking him off (insert little finger in the corner of mouth) until it wasn't painful. It also gets easier the bigger their mouth gets.

I never believed it'd get easy but it really really did. Hang on in there and don't worry about the formula in the early days.

podmumlet · 21/02/2011 16:26

Just a word of encouragement from me too... We suffered cracked, bleeding nipples whilst still in hospital, then had jaundice and had to do formula feeds to keep fluid levels up for the phototherapy treatment. Pleased to say that we have managed to come off the formula and be EBF. And you can too, if that's what you want. There is no harm in having had formula, or in mixed feeding. The most important thing is that baby gets fed, and the option to go back to exclusive BF remains.

Alas our latch also isn't right yet, and there is still some discomfort... I am taking comfort in the fact that as Albrecht says, it does get easier the bigger the mouth gets...

Also, I would echo MamaChris and get checked for a tongue tie. Our baby had one and snipping it was a quick and not distressing experience. I wish we had done it earlier as I think that the delay means that baby has picked up a few poor latch habits we are now trying to work through...

moonstorm · 21/02/2011 18:14

Google Dr Jack Newman - his videos are really good.

NikkiTwinkle · 21/02/2011 18:33

Hiya
Sounds like you're doing a fab job at 2 weeks and still going. Have you tried, just letting your DD doing the work rather than popping her on with her mouth open? Try lots of skin to skin, prop yourself up in bed, lay her on your chest and let her find your nipple and go on. Sounds crazy but she'll find it and may get a latch on that's comfortable for her.

Or lie on the bed with her, you on your side her on her side and try that? I use that technique when I'm particularly full and it stops all the milk rushing out to much etc.

Best of luck and keep going.

Wholelottalove · 22/02/2011 11:23

Sorry you are having a tough time. I echo what others have said about checking for tongue tie - both my babies had this and gave me lipstick/ridged nipples. With DD it took between 10-12 weeks to finally become pain free after snip at 8 wks. We went on to feed happily for 10 months. With DS, now 10 weeks, he had his snipped at 4 weeks and it has beena bit up and down since. With DD I found letting her self latch helped a lot, but it doesn't work with DS.

Well done on getting so far, I know how hard it is.

Unicef have a list of places where TT can be divided: www.babyfriendly.org.uk/items/resource_detail.asp?item=440

Hope that helps.

Original poster
dorcas111 · 25/02/2011 13:08

So sorry it has taken me so long to reply- especially after so many of you were so kind to take the trouble to give me advice. All very, very gratefully received! I've ruled out thrush and tongue tie, so it seems we are just struggling with getting the latch right. The bf counsellor I saw last Tuesday suggested she may have a small palette and so, until she gets bigger, she may continue to latch on badly. Again I keep being told I am latching her on fine, her latch looks perfect etc, but I can feel her chewing down on my nipple. Yesterday I actually managed to get her latched on well and she sucked away with no pain which makes me think that she can do it. Unfortunately I haven't been able to repeat this, but I do feel that we just need someone to tweak what I am doing and we could get there. If only people would stop telling me that I am doing it fine! I've got the number of a lactation consultant someone recommended so maybe she will be able to help, but I haven't spoken to her yet, (been playing phone tag). I am feeling rather desperate still. Will head off to yet another bf clinic this afternoon in the hope someone might listen to me, although feeling a bit jaded. They are so nice, but they don't seem to know what to suggest.

OP posts:
suso · 25/02/2011 17:30

Have you tried exaggerated attachment (here)? Might help you achieve a good latch.
Hope it helps - fingers crossed.

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