Positive stories please - did a bf counsellor manage to help you improve your DC's latch?

[YellowYoYoYam]

I posted at the weekend about pain in one breast when feeding. The response I got has led me to believe its caused by poor latch rather than thrush etc, but I'm having no luck improving it on my own. I phoned the NCT bf line yesterday for some tips but I'm still finding it difficult to change anything, so I'm going to go along to a meeting on Friday.

I've been feeling quite positive and the idea of stopping bfing didn't enter my head until this morning. We've had a bad night - 5wo DS, 16mo DD and I all have a horrible cold and I think my attempts to improve latch during the night have actually made me more sore. I'm beginning to doubt whether anyone could improve the situation.

Please tell me your positive stories of improved latch - I want to believe its possible.

Stupid question, have you tried feeding in different positions - lying down, rugby ball etc

There are some pictures here: www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/infant-and-toddler-health/multimedia/breast-feeding/sls-20076017?s=5

Plus what they all said about getting RL support

Hope you are still checking thread and that my experience can help. I live in Spain and found the midwives here very hands on helping baby to latch on. They really squeezed my boob quite firmly and thrust it in little ones mouth..I was shocked at first but it worked. They showed me a kind of cigarette hold take your 2 fingers as if holding a cigarette (not that we smoke obviously) and squeeze your boob above both sides aeroela whist placing nipple towards roof of baby's mouth, this squeezing allows more of aeroela to go inside baby's mouth. When you let go (after a few seconds) the latch should be better. Takes a bit of practice, don't be afraid to really firmly squeeze your boob to compress the aeroela so it fits as much as poss in baby's mouth. This was a life saver for me and lo.

Yes - I was taught the exaggerated latch technique described by Babyonway3 above, which sorted DS' poor latch. I was supported by a lactation consultant in clinic and then an NCT BF counsellor, who did two home visits.

FWIW his latch improved dramatically at 6 weeks, and we fed until just before his 2nd birthday.