Breastfeeding/Latch issues

[Wilts]

Ds3 was born on Saturday and breastfeeding is not going too well.

I think his latch is poor and my nipples are really suffering. He doesn't appear to open his mouth very wide and as much as I try, he seems to get very little areola in his mouth under my nipple.

His suck is really strong and breaking this to reposition is really hard. From what I can see, his jaw action looks good, but I can hear 'clicking' and I think his tongue sits over my nipple and I don't see to be able to get it under.

I have relented today and given him a bottle as my pain threshold is low- I am aware this will make things worse. I have lansinoh and am using this after every feed.

The midwife is out tomorrow, but I am not confident in the advice I will get as I mentioned latch concerns yesterday and it wasn't really addressed.

I have always said I wouldn't get upset if I have to move to bottle feeding, however, he doesn't like the bottle and I can't stand to see all my milk go to waste or him clearly looking to me for food (soppy)

I am dreading his next feed which will be any time soon and I aware that I have rambled somewhat without really asking a specific question, but any advice/tips will be gratefully received!

have you tried skin to skin?

Sit in a semi reclined position with your dressing gown/top open so your DS has easy access to your breasts and uncloth him to his nappy - if it's a bit cold then you can put a light blanket over him, but his torso should be skin to skin with yours.

Place him on your chest near your breasts and gentLy support him - hands under his bum can be comfortable. the main aim is to get you both in a comfortable position.

your ds should be able to scent your breasts/milk and will move up towards the breast. this may take a little time, so try and keep calm and keep him calm - stroke his feet or arms.

he should begin to "crawl" towards the nipple and begin bobbing over your nipple. let him do this. you may need to gently support him - but gravity should be in his favour if you've reclined.

he should find the nipple and then open wide before latching on. you may need to guide your nipple towards him, or gently squeeze your nipple so a little milk/colostrom comes off.

when you look down at him feeding, if your DS can't get all of your areola in his mouth, then you should see more of the top of the areola than the bottom.

keep trying a few times if it doesn't work the first time.

there may be a few reasons for his tongue positioning wrong

• when babies scream, their tongue goes to the top of their mouth, so if you can get your DS calm before feeding that will help.
• you may need to get him checked for tongue tie - this is less common, but worth looking at.

you can see a few films clips, if you google - "breast crawl" or "biological nurturing"

finally, even if your MW isn't available tomorrow, then you should still be able to request a different one.

you can also call: La Leche League for advice and via your MW you may be able to access a Breastfeeding Counsellor.

i hope this helps and congratulations on your baby!

Biological nurturing clip

the above is a really nice film clip that might help.

Many thanks for your reply, I will have a look at the video tomorrow. I haven't tried skin to skin but will try tomorrow once the older ones are at school .

If you are not confident with your midwife, you could ask to see your local infante feedings coordinator from the hospital. Or contact one of the breastfeeding helplines they can talk you through how to latch.
This is really early days no need to worry about switching to bottles yet but you do need some good breastfeeding support.

Don't panic, remember he's not done this before and even when I was bf no. 2 there was still loads tgat was different to no.1

Wilts, just try skin to skin - no need to wait for time to do it, or peace, or calm....just do it :)

All biological nurturing means is a different way of holding your baby - lengthwise down your body rather than across, while you lie back a bit.

The skin to skin is just moving aside clothing :)

Your midwife needs to know you are in difficulties and need help to fix them. Be assertive, if you can, or if your partner/other person is around to support you, get them to be assertive for you.

Thanks everyone.

I am still struggling and as I expected my midwife was not great and advised nipple shields. There appears to be an expectation that as this is Ds3 I know what I am doing, but breastfeeding the other two was not particularly successful.

I have watched various videos this afternoon and I am sure he is not latching correctly. I have looked at the biological nursing clip and will give it a try, but am aware that I am so sore that I am almost 'flinching' away from him, so am not confident about trying.

How would I get someone out to check latch? should I ring La Leche league?

The National Breastfeeding helpline number is: 0300 100 0212. or you can try La Leche League: 0845 120 2918

do you have a children's centre nearby? They usually run weekly BF clinics/groups that you could go to and see a peer supporter or bf trained member of staff.

you could try ringing the hospital and asking for an appointment with their Infant Feeding Co-ordinator. I'm not sure how your local system will work, but explain your issues and see what they can offer and when.

do you have some lansinoh which will help with the cracked nipples? if not, do you have someone who can nip to the chemist to get you some. it really is very good.

and sorry, yes - please ring la leche or the national breastfeeding helpline.

My DS wouldn't open his mouth to latch hardly at all but would suck v hard & it turned out to be tongue tie. Was so much better once snipped at 6 weeks. I can't believe I fed him like thar for so long when I think about it now!

It was also very painful & I ended up taking regular paracetamol for the first three weeks. I saw a lactation consultant privately in the end who was brilliant.