Latching problem - pain

[MrsCog]

Hi everyone, DS is 5 weeks old and we've had a bumpy start to the world of breastfeeding (some of you may have seen some of my other threads), and after solely expressing for week 1, we then used nipple shields to get him to latch for weeks 2-4. Then I started getting him latched on without the shields, and have been building up over the past week to lose the shields completely, and we're nearly there which is great!

However, the latch isn't completely pain free, I've tried to be very strict about delatching when the latch has been painful (I have anticipated discomfort as this is the first baby I've bf) and I don't have any cracks or bleeding, in fact, other than being very sensitive, my nipples are fine. The problem is that DS doesn't seem to be covering his lower gum with his tongue when I latch him on. I know this can be a sign of tongue tie, but I don't think he has a tongue tie as when I put my little finger in his mouth to 'test', he sucks perfectly and covers his gum really well. He is also able to put his tongue to the roof of his mouth, and also stick it out beyond his lip.

Does anyone have any tips/advise/experience of this? I've expressed his latest feed as I really needed a rest as my areola was throbbing where I've had a semi circle of gum chomping on it :( It's so frustrative to be so near yet so far to 'normal breastfeeding'!

Thanks

It sounds like you have done very well so far. You mention threads on here, but do you have any RL support? Are there any bf grous near you?

From what you say, it does sound like the way baby is latching on to the breast could be improved but it's best if someone sees you and helps you from there. Is that possible?

Failing that, I would ring one of the national helplines so you can be talked through a good position one to one. There are numbers here though I'm nt sure how the lines would be staffed today. There are others too.

Just because he can do those things with his tongue, it doesn't mean he can't have a tie. DD was similar but when she cried you could see it under her tongue. I had a specialist lactation consultant assess it who confirmed she was 80% restricted. That shocked me as she could stick her tongue out, although not much. So get someone who knows these things to check.

Failing all that, here Kellymom gives good info plus a link to Jack Newman's videos which can be useful.

Thank you - yes, I am in touch with a local Breastfeeding support worker, who I've not seen since I started to try weaning him off them (although she knew I was going to have a go), and I've got a weekly group I can go to, although I do think getting a real expert to check for TT would be a good idea - how do I find someone who's really good/expert? (I say this as I've seen under his tongue and there's definitely nothing obvious, although I know that this doesn't mean that there isn't one). Everything else about the latch is fine - just this last hurdle! I'm so determined to do this now I've done the first 5 weeks!

Is your HV supportive? You could see if they are any help, or your GP

It depends who runs your group too. In our local one there are different leves of training. One of the more highly trained ones would be able to help, although not necessarily able to get anything done about it or show you where. Might be worth asking. It might seem embarrassing but they wouldn't mind.

Ask at your group? Or your GP or a lactation consultant (if you google you should be able to find your local one). Just worth ruling out.