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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Exclusive Breastfeeding day 2

19 replies

emmarose1991 · 05/06/2014 14:54

Long story short.

My baby is 22 days olds, I have been expressing as he would not latch on however I've managed to get him to latch since yesterday morning.

However the pain when he latches is unbearable, I assume it's to do with my latch and I have someone coming out on Friday to help. Is there anything I can do in the meantime? I also have a red mark/line on one of the areola about half an inch long.

Also, does anywhere know where to get cheap nursing tops?

Thanks guys, I've found the advice on this website really helpful!

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Amybabygypsyqueen · 05/06/2014 14:58

Ohh I feel your pain, is baby lying tummy to tummy? is your nipple pointed towards his nose? are you relaxed? Are you using pillows to save your back and to help with positioning, well done though your doing great :)

Amybabygypsyqueen · 05/06/2014 14:59

And where in the country are u there might be a local service that can come out today

Original poster
emmarose1991 · 05/06/2014 15:14

I'm in the northwest but I have someone coming tomorrow. Just want to ease the pain until she comes.

I'd say I'm not comfy when feeding, my back and neck start hurting but I'm terrified to move when he's latched as he will fall off and then I'll have to latch him again.

It would be a huge shame to go back to pumping but this pain is really bad :(

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spottydolphin · 05/06/2014 15:21

has he been checked for a tongue tie?

have a look on youtube for jack newman videos for good latching techniques

you could also try biological nurturing to see if he latches any better.

NorahBone · 05/06/2014 16:34

Sorry, I can't help with the pain - if your back and neck are hurting though, it might be a good idea to try different positions, like the biological nursing spotty advised. For months I was feeding exactly how they told us in the antenatal classes and tbh it was quite uncomfortable - all hunched over and using both hands! Finding it quite hard to change now, although it's a lot easier now feeds are much shorter.
I believe H&M do quite cheap nursing tops, although I still use my New Look belly bands to cover my tummy and back and wear any top over it.
Good luck tomorrow Brew

Littlef00t · 05/06/2014 18:09

Also to say toe curling pain can sometimes be normal. It was for me almost unbearable for a couple of weeks, 2 mins felt like 20. But it got better quite quickly, painful for entire feed, to just first couple of mins, to very beginning to never.

There are lots of pictures of correct positioning, I always knew when my LO had really good latch as she would come off with a crease from where her lips were folded back!

Littlef00t · 05/06/2014 18:10

Re nursing tops, I just have a vest top under everything, and wear stretchy standard t shirts. T shirt goes up, vest top goes down to cover tummy.

Amybabygypsyqueen · 06/06/2014 22:24

How are you doing today x

ZenNudist · 06/06/2014 22:52

Hi emmarose. Whereabouts are you in the NW?

3 weeks is very early days and it is sodding impossible at first. It's great you finally got baby to latch. I'm a veteran of the crappy latch, sore nips, terrible feeding nightmare. You really need to get properly checked for tongue tie and find out more about I it.

Also YouTube search for improving latch by improving position.

Keep at it. Babies learn to breast feed by breast feeding. They crack it eventually. Then it's worth the effort.

DashingRedhead · 06/06/2014 23:00

Do you have a v-pillow? I used that (maybe a big cushion underneath if you have a long torso) to bring baby up to breast height. Also make sure your feet and legs are comfy. I'm v short so had to put the big cushion behind me otherwise I was sitting too far back and my back wasn't properly supported. Good luck, I really hope you can make it work.

Original poster
emmarose1991 · 06/06/2014 23:08

Hi,
I'm in the Wirral :)

I got him checked and he is not tongue tied. The red marks are 'like a love bite' where he has 'bit' me. I fed through the soreness and it has definatley eased. I did have to give him a bottle twice yesterday as I couldn't bare the pain. I got some good nipple cream prescribed today too :) I went to a BF group too and that definatley made me feel more comfortable hearing other peoples stories, I also breast fed there so my first public experience wasn't too bad as everyone was in the same boat :)

Definatley going to keep it up, it's so much easier then pumping!

OP posts:
Original poster
emmarose1991 · 06/06/2014 23:09

And I think I'll try the v pillow next feed :) good idea!

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Original poster
emmarose1991 · 06/06/2014 23:18

And also, the consultant I seen said the pain may have been due to me sort of suffocating him with my boob! Didn't know you were meant to tilt his head back lol!

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carovioletfizz · 07/06/2014 15:27

Emmarose, could it be that he is not opening his mouth wide enough? Don't be afraid to wait until his mouth is nice and wide to latch him on. Re what your consultant said, it's good to check that his nose isn't squashed in to your breast so that he can't breathe properly.
As others have said, get yourself nice and comfortable beforehand too. Also don't be scared to unlatch him (just wet your pinky and gently unlatch him) and re position him before latching on again if you're very uncomfortable. It's better he cries a bit at that than isn't positioned well and hurts you.
Hang in there, you will get the hang of it. It's all very strange at first but as you practice it will fall into place - a bit like driving!
Well done on getting this far!

carovioletfizz · 07/06/2014 15:28

Also, try rubbing a little expressed milk into your nipples if they're sore - works really well.

crumpeteer · 07/06/2014 21:30

Maybe you could ask someone to show you how to feed lying down (if you don't know already)? It was so much more comfortable for both of us and I felt I could concentrate on a good latch better than sitting up having to hold baby.

Littleen · 07/06/2014 21:43

I find that esp the first 4 weeks of bfing it could be very very painful, even with the correct latch! Get a bf cushion too, they are great. Sometimes when you want to latch him on properly, when his mouth is wiiide open just "shove" his face in your boob :P bit odd but it works. He's not able to suck if he's not able to breathe, so it might look like he's suffocating but he isn't :)

H&M got some cheap tops and even matching bras :P hehe.

Well done for persevering! I found the first 4 weeks very difficult, but now 13 weeks in I'm very much enjoying it, despite the occasional painful feed :)

Original poster
emmarose1991 · 08/06/2014 00:32

Hi everyone,
I found out today I have masatitis and cracked nipples. To be honest I'm not in pain I just noticed a red mark getting bigger and bigger. Luckily I'm not in pain though!

Actual feeding has got a lot better and a lot less painful. The latch has got better too :)

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Original poster
emmarose1991 · 08/06/2014 00:41

Thanks for everyone's advice!

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