Need to get a deeper latch!

[flymo79]

Hello all
It's day 4 and my nips both have a small line of scab and are hurting, so I know baby's latch is wrong. When she pulls off the nipple is also slanted, not rounded. I really want to get this right but she fusses if I try a different hold and if I get anxious I seem to just stick with what she's doing. How can I encourage her to make a deeper latch???
TIA

Hold the baby as you normally would, using one arm to hold and support the baby.

Make your other hand into a letter C shape, with thumb up and the rest of the fingers down. Hold the boob you want to feed with in this letter C shaped hand, gripping firmly about an inch back from the areola with the thumb on top and with the fingers underneath, close to your chest. Squeeze quite hard until you have no flopping about of your nipple. What you are aiming for is a horizontally pretty 'flattened' nipple plus areola that can be directed into her mouth and not one that is going to be sucked in. Make sure your baby's mouth opens pretty wide -- stimulate mouth opening by touching her lower lip with your nipple, and then draw her towards you.

You need to really squeeze. It's not very well conveyed in this diagram but this is the general idea of the C shape of the hand.

A nurse from Nigeria taught me this when DD1 was born. The hospital lactation consultation was pants and I had sore nipples and a frustrated baby until I mentioned the problem to the nurse.

Scroll down to 'Boob Sandwich'

This blog has some great right vs wrong photos. I find photos more helpful than diagrams.

There are some videos on youtube that might help

I recommend the boob/nipple sandwich too.

My DS had tongue tie which prevented him from
Being able to get a deeper latch so get that checked too.

You may find more useful tips in this link, it includes three short videos breastfeeding.support/how-do-i-position-my-baby-to-breastfeed/ The laid back biological nurturing position may help if your baby fusses, because they feel safer and well supported and able to use their natural instincts to get a deeper latch. Ideally though can you find an IBCLC (lactation consultant) to check your positioning as every mum and baby are different and there is nothing like hands on help.

Thanks so much for all the tips, the pics are really helpful. I tried the football hold which has at least relieved the place that was getting the worst treatment, but I still don't think was deep enough. Am going to see midwife as I think I need some 1 on 1, for all the videos and how-to's, I can't work out what I'm doing wrong to not get the nipple deep enough in

Congratulations on your baby. In my experience with two children, sometimes their mouths just aren't big enough to get a really good latch. That said, both mine were tongue tied - have you had that checked? Time is the only thing which helped me. Are you using nipple cream?

I meant when they're newborn their tiny mouths aren't big enough :)

Thanks misty, have been using nipple cream and MW was happy with latch, just said we need to persevere. I'm now wondering if she's getting enough , my milk seems to have come in, she feeds for about 20 mins on one side then falls asleep so I don't get the chance to offer her the other side....

Hi Flymo you might find this link useful Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk?