Help, advice, some serious hand holding please

[welshfirsttimemummy]

I have a 3 week old DS and for some reason in the last week his latch has totally changed to just taking the nipple and it is so painful! I try to take him off and re-adjust him but he just slips back down.

It's really getting me down

I got some nipple shields yesterday which are helping but it doesn't solve the problem. I have spoken to my midwife who has given my number to the local lactating consultant but she wont ring for a couple of days apparantly

How do I get through this?? I really don't want to give up breastfeeding but I can't keep going with this pain

And what doesn't help is he is going through a growth spurt so wants feeding all the time

Anyone been here and can offer any advice? Would really appreciate it.

Can you fold your breast into a 'sandwich' ie sort of flat when you latch him on? Gets more of the surrounding nipple in.

Is he sufficiently propped up?

Yes he's comfortable. I went to a BF support group yesterday who said the positioning is fine, it's just his latch.

I haven't tried the sandwich but it seems just the milk coming through the nipple is painful now

Has anyone who knows what they are doing checked for tongue tie? info here

Your HV/GP may not be sufficiently clued up to spot one.

No they haven't, but would he show signs of that from birth?

What do people think about mixed feeding? In exhausted, no sleep for 2 nights and DS feeding so much in the day I can't even nap. Considering DH giving a formula feed in the evening around 8pm so I can get a couple of hours but feel terribly guilty, and DS feeding so much in the day I can't even express enough for a feed for him. Really don't want to give us breastfeeding just want to get to the non-painful enjoyable bit!

Hi welsh
Sorry to hear you're struggling and sad. I had issues with ds nipple feeding on my left side, I thought I wasn't producing in that side but had advice from a lactation consultant about squeezing breast to make it easier fir h to latch with a mouthful and also breast compressions which has all helped, he is 16 weeks now and not putting much weight on until this advice. Many people seem to mix feed, sure your hv can advise?! I have been to a few clinics at children's centres for weigh ins and yesterday found the most wonderful and supportive hv ever so she's my new best friend, so positive and supportive! Can you find another support group to go to today?
I understand about sleep, we weren't getting much anyway then seems lo in growth spurt so had about 2 hours tonight, can anyone come watch your baby while you have an hour or two catch up??!!

Hi, I had the same problem. My baby's latch suddenly became very tight and shallow at two or three weeks. I went to breast feeding drop in clinics twice a week for the first 6 weeks and, despite all the 'coaching' and reassurance that his latch looked fine, I was still in agony. I have been taking him for cranial osteopathy and he has improved a lot. They said that his top and bottom jaw were not co-ordinating properly. If you are in, or near London I highly recommend this organisation occ.uk.com/

I find his latch is worse in the middle of the night so I started expressing a bottle for his 3am feed to give myself a bit of a break.

Good luck. I literally feel your pain!

Thanks all, im in Wales though do can't look at the London link.

I tried squeezing my breast together last night to help his latch but it didn't work, and he isn't letting me away from him for wanting feeding so even if there was someone who could sit with him it would be no good

Have been reading different threads though and possibly I have nipple thrush? I am getting pains between feeds and even with nipple guards it seems it hurts when the milk comes out rather than DS sucking as usually the other breast leaks a little when feeding on one and it really hurts anyone had nipple thrush?