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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Latch issues

10 replies

BonaDea · 01/04/2013 03:08

Ouch.

DS is 11 days old. After a very rocky start we have feeding established and he is eating well and often.

I thought we had a good latch sorted but over the last couple of days his latch has become v pinchy and I can see he often only has a small amount of areola and is effectively nipple feeding. His upper and lower lips tend not to be flanged out (tbh this was often the case but it never hurt before).

I try to unattach and reattach him when it is sore to improve the latch but am wary of doing this too often as he is clearly becoming frustrated.

I think the issue is he is not offering me a wide enough mouth

OP posts:
Original poster
BonaDea · 01/04/2013 03:10

Oops - wasn't quite finished! He doesn't seem to be offering me a very wide mouth for me then to attach to the nipple. I wait and wait and eventually probably go for attaching him without a truly wide mouth. I've watched countless YouTube videos but the babies there are really opening v wide which I feel like DS isn't doing in the first place.

Seeing LC but not for a few days. Any tips?

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FirstUpBestDressed · 01/04/2013 03:36

Congratulations on your wee baby.
Could you try feeding skin to skin as this can help him to be stimulated to open his mouth more?
It is as important to wait for him to open his mouth as it is to be quick at moving him to the breast when he does so.Try to offer him the breast when he is mouthing /rooting rather than crying as his tongue is more likely to be forward.
Line him up so that it looks as if the nipple is in line with his nose.
When quickly bringing him to the breast have your hand behind his shoulders (not his head) to allow his head to tilt back.
Good luck and happy feeding.

noblegiraffe · 01/04/2013 08:24

There's something called the flipple technique (videos on YouTube) that might be useful.

Welovegrapes · 01/04/2013 12:14

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Welovegrapes · 01/04/2013 12:18

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Welovegrapes · 01/04/2013 12:23

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Original poster
BonaDea · 01/04/2013 13:04

Thanks welove grapes. Am already feeding 8-10 times a day and either we have to wake him for feeds or the early signs have just begun. He is rarely if ever crying when I start.

Have read about the laid back position but confess I haven't tried it. Keep thinking it is too good to be true but must get round to it.

I have a lactation consultant coming to help on Wednesday morning so am hoping for some more tips then. Meanwhile will try all the suggestions.

OP posts:
McBaby · 01/04/2013 15:05

Get checked god tongue tie. It can cause very shallow latch.

McBaby · 01/04/2013 18:12

Sorry not sure how god! Was there should say for.

Original poster
BonaDea · 01/04/2013 23:04

Thanks mc baby. He's already had a posterior to tongue tie snipped. I'm wondering whether the technique I used for the first week or so now isn't relevant / working any more as he now has much more tongue mobility?!

Am hoping lactation consultant can help me on weds.

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