Huge nipples tiny baby's mouth!

8 replies

cheesemonster · 29/07/2012 17:06

Am looking for some pratical pointers on how to get my huge nipples into my tiny babies mouth! I have very successfully breasted before but this little one was earlier than my others at 37+5 compared to 42 weeks and just under 6lbs- born by c section. she was sleepy to start with but then has woken up more and was feeding like crazy until my milk came in and everything got too hard for her to handle. We have been syringe feeding most of the time and today collected a rental hospital pump to get some of te milk off and soften the breast to help her latch on- which does seem to be helping a bit.
has anyone found any positions work better, and special tips for latching on etc.

OP posts:

showtunesgirl · 29/07/2012 18:20

Have you tried squishing your boob into a hamburger shape so that your nipple is flatter / smaller? I found this worked when my DD was newborn.

Original poster

cheesemonster · 29/07/2012 20:18

yes, it works occasionally, i have really hard breasts too at the moment so am having to soften them a fair bit first.

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RedKites · 29/07/2012 20:23

It will get easier as baby gets bigger, so if you need to do this or that to keep going, remember it won't always be like this.

reverse pressure softening might be worth a look?

plantsitter · 29/07/2012 20:25

OOh I just took ages trying to find Redkites' link to post! That technique really helped me with sleepy, small-mouthed DD1.

Harecare · 29/07/2012 20:30

I didn't know pinching the end of the nipple had a proper name! I sort of try to get a bit of spare skin at the end of the nipple so there's a bit to put in that isn't too full. They won't be rock hard for too many days more.

EcoLady · 29/07/2012 20:49

My 2-month-prem DD was 3lb 10oz when she started feeding and I was a 36 K at the time. I just squeezed the front of my boob flat with my hand. She would cough and splutter a bit as let down happened at first, but that settled within a few days.

SCBU staff took pictures of us for a feeding leaflet that they were creating at the time. DD is now 11 and the leaflet is still in use.

Good luck & congratulations!

Original poster

cheesemonster · 30/07/2012 14:33

Oh thank you for the encourgament, I am sure it will get better as she gets older, just really needed to hear that!
I spoke to an NCT BFC this morning who was lovely and also suggested the reverse pressure so am going to keep trying that too.

OP posts:

lels99 · 30/07/2012 14:40

I had same problem, found lying on my side in bed helped for some reason?

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