Struggling to breast feed

[AmadeusRocks]

My baby isn't latching on properly and can't seem to feed properly. My MW has advised me to persevere and try to top up as little as possible with bottle. I feel awful

Can you get s

S

Sorry - fat fingers! Can you get some hands on help with your latch? I had a fantastic midwife who spent ages with me watching me latch him on and pointing me in the right direction. Once I cracked it my nipples stopped hurting really quickly - and I had been in agony! Can you try a lactation consultant or breastfeeding group/cafe? Try and get some more useful help than your midwife ASAP because it really does make a massive difference once the latch is right and also helps your baby feed more efficiently (having said that DS still takes eons!!).

Don't panic. Baby will pick up on it and will feel distressed.

Skin to skin and relax.

Call the national breastfeeding helpline. They are there till around 10pm. They are VERY helpful and will give you good advice.

Also agree with OP. tomorrow morning arrange to see someone to help you with your latch.

NCT have breastfeeding counsellors as do LA Leche.

If you are anywhere near Oxford I can highly recommend going to see Sally Inch in the JR. She is absolutely amazing.

Bf helpline no 0300 100 0212

Just to add my latch looked fine (midwives in hospital said all looked good!) but my fabulous community midwife had a good poke around when DS was latched on and found that I didn't have enough breast tissue in the underneath part of his mouth (if that makes sense). I had to flatten my boob a bit and then sort of push it into his lower jaw and then flick the nipple in. Hopefully some more knowledgable people will be along soon but I can't stress enough that you should try and get some more help as soon as you can as it will make a huge difference to both of you. Also make sure you get checked for tongue tie as this can cause latch and feeding problems.

As well as phoning the National Breastfeeding Helpline and the midwife you could have a look at some videos of different breastfeeding positions. I had to use rugby ball hold on one side with dd1 as due to her birth she couldn't feed in the normal position.

Also look at biological nuturing, a way of encouraging feeding behaviour.

I had to do that nipple flick thing too.

My friend swore by hoiking her boob up underneath with a band tied around her neck so that her nipple was in a better position. Sounds weird but I hope you know what I mean.

I felt the same as you this week (baby a week old today) she just wasn't latching on properly. I spent hours and hours trying, me crying, her crying. Didn't think she was getting any milk. I have now started using nipple shields and they have really helped, she latches, feeds and I feel so much happier. I will also try and get her to latch in without but at least she's eating (jaundiced so need to get fluids in). Be kind to yourself it's bloody hard! X x