Newborn with latch problems

[spottywelly]

Having big problems getting my 8-day-old DS to stay latched on right. I can (eventually) get him latched on well after a lot of fussing and chewing, but that lasts about 20 seconds - in which he'll have a few half-hearted sucks - before he twists himself off and re-latches in any number of ridiculous and painful ways. Then I break him off, try to relatch, same thing happens over and over until eventually one of us gives in, and either he manages a decent feed with a decent latch, or I get so frustrated by trying that I let him latch however he wants.

Obviously now my nips are on fire, and the right one, which is his bad side, is cracked and bleeding. Today I got nipple shields, which I know aren't ideal, but I actually can't bear the pain from the cracked side. Hoping they'll give me just enough respite to heal.

The BF support workers aren't really helping, cause they're just showing me how to get him on right, which I can do. It's getting him to stay on that I'm struggling with.

Any ideas! I really want to stick with it cause I BF my DD for 8 months and remember how nice and easy it is once you get established, but I'm seriously losing the will! Help :(

Get him checked for tongue tie by someone who really knows their stuff. Milk matters website might be useful. The struggling to maintain latch might be linked to TT. big hug for you, is hard.

Thank you.

I have midwife round tomorrow and BF worker ringing to check up, so will ask them about our problems and possible tongue tie.

I had a look on the milk matters site, and a lot of the symptoms of TT describe him perfectly. The only thing is, in the last day or so he's starting to feed pretty well off the left side, but is getting even worse with the right, so wondering if it's a TT problem or a boob problem? I've tried latching him on the good boob and then scooting him round to the bad one, but he knows!

I've tried different positions for the bad boob, with very little success. I've also tried expressing from the bad one and spoon feeding him, and he takes it well. I feel like the supply on that side is dwindling already, though. Running out of ideas, really!

I've had moments in the last couple of days where I've been on the brink of sending DH out for some formula. But I really do want to breastfeed :(

As I was reading your post, I was thinking tongue tie.

My ds had it for 4 weeks before he was properly diagnosed. I used nipple shields which although not as efficient as bf at least allowed me to feed him (up until then it has been expressed and formula milk) - once he had had if snipped I phased out shields pretty quickly and easily.

If you don't get any joy through the nhs, go private if you can, don't hang about.

My ds is still bfing at 8.5mths and won't take milk any other way now (although he thinks drinking water from his Cupar mealtimes is a hoot!).

Good luck!

Re your supply - just keep expressing - every time you would have used it - even through the night

I expressed and expressed and that was the only way I maintained supply while he was being diagnosed and fixed.

I ha exactly the same thing! I got some Medela nipple shields which really helped him to latch on. I used to put them on for the first bit to get my nipples out more then take him off & put him back on. Well done for not giving up. He is 4 months now & feeding well without them. I thought tongue tie but both hvs and gp were useless.

If one side suffers supply issues, it is unlikely to matter. Most women have a 'less good' breast and some feed exclusively from one breast. Plus you can always improve supply on your 'bad' side.

You know what- now I think back DS would basically only feed on one side and the lactation consultant I saw noted his tongue action was asymmetrical owing to the tie.

I don't want to dash your hopes but a HV is probably v unlikely to spot a TT unless it is really really obvious or she has by some fluke got a special interest in, and in- depth training in, infant feeding. DS's was missed by all and sundry- health visitors, BF counsellors, GP, midwives...

If anyone tries to allay your fears by just looking at your baby's tongue, be suspicious! Its mobility needs to be assessed by palpation.

Just wanted to post an update:

I don't know what happened, if LO started to get it, or if my nips just toughened up, but we woke up on Friday morning and he just seemed to feed a lot more calmly and effectively. By the evening I was in minimal pain.

Since then we've had a full day and night of starting to quite enjoy feeds again, and not dread them! I am SO relieved!

I just want to thank everyone who took the time to reply to me while I was desperate. It's very much appreciated :)

So glad to hear that update - great news!