Bad latch - bad times!!!

[Lilyve]

First time mum, ebf 4 week old baby boy...

I've never got the whole latch thing sorted! It always hurts but he drains both breasts and is putting on loads of weight so have just (stupidly) let him get on with it.

Now...I'm trying to get a deep latch but every time I get my boob all the way in his mouth, he spits it out and is only happy with a more shallow latch! He has also now started holding onto my boob and pulling it out and shaking it as if he's a jack Russell trying to kill a rat! I shouldn't laugh because it hurts and I don't know what he wants from it!!

Anyone have any advice? Is it worth investing in a lactation consultant? If so, where would I find one?!

Thanks in advance! Xx

Have you a support group you could get to?. My local one hires a consultant for drop ins every week.
Well done on your perseverance.

Has he been checked for tongue tie? My DD always preferred a shallow latch and would reposition herself if I managed to get a deeper latch. Turns out she had a posterior tongue tie which apparently causes them to have a short gag reflex. Now we have had the PTT revised she latches on much better.

I would if you can afford it. It gives you a bit more confidence.

DS has always been a nipple feeder and had a TT.

I got a consultant in to help with a similar concern and it was a massive help, but I also found out that she and others attended the weekly drop-in support group so I could have got the same advice for free there.

Get in touch with BfN, NCT or La Leche league. They should be able to direct you to a local breastfeeding group where a trained advisor can help you sort out your latch.

Lactation Consultants are expensive and not always necessary if support in your area is available free of charge.