My baby cannot latch on to one side - amongst other problems...

[margo1974]

my baby is a week old. She latched on immediately, unlike my first daughter, but she had a super strong suck and it felt like pins were being stuck into my nipples each time she fed. Also she feeds for about 45 mins every 3 to 4 hours but she wants to comfort suck about half an hour after finishing feeding. I offer the breast after the 45 min feed once I have winded her but she is not interested so I feel that I have satisfied her hunger.

I resolved the bleeding nipples by putting Kamillosan on them, giving her formula for a day and using nipple shields but now one of my nipples seem flat and I haven't been able to latch her on without the nipple shield. I have tried expressing some before trying to latch her on but that doesn't work. My midwife thinks that using sheilds could lead to "nipple confusion".

I am adamant that I would like to bf for as long as possible, I stopped at 5 months with first child and only because her rate of weight gain was very slow. I don't know why something so simple throws up so many dilemmas. Any tips?

Hi Margo. You sound like me. Well done for getting this far and good on you for wanting to continue. Shields didn't lead to severe nipple confusion for my DS, but I did wean him off them as soon as I could and I suppose he was a bit funny about the bare breast at first. Personally I'm not sure about using nipple shields to help get a good latch - I only used them to deal with the severe pain of cracked, bleeding nipples and the associated fear of latching him on.

Have you tried different positions? I had this problem for ages with my right breast and the only position that worked was the football hold. I always tried to pump up the nipple (so to speak ) before latching him on as well. Also try to hold the breast with your fingers either side of the nipple to make it easier to get it in her little mouth.

Good luck!

I do use the football hold as, for my sins, I have larger than average boobs and cannot latch her on the normal way. I am using one side without the sheild. I will try the fingers around the nipple.. but pumping up - do you mean by using the breastpump?

No, sorry, I just meant making it stick out more by massaging. Also, on second thoughts about the nipple shield, I reckon if that's the only way you can latch her on then carry on using it. It's definitely better than not feeding on that side at all.

Hello Margo, I had the same problem with my dd. It wasn't her though it was my nipples, they are completely flat. I used nipple shields all the time i was breastfeeding, it never affected her in the slightest. And also as you say it does keep you nipples from hurting as much

HTH

The midwife came to see me today and I explained what was happening and she said that it was flat. Then she started to pull my nipple out and stretch it - OUCH - At least she is latching on to one side - I will try to pull it into shape and see how it goes....

A nipple shield may draw the nipple out intially , then unlatch wremove and try latching directly. I used them for a few days with ds until he would latch on without. Have you spoken to a breast feeding counsellor ?

Nipple shields can cause reduced supply. If you struggled with supply, the first time around, I'd be wary of using shields this time around. And I'd worry your baby is just sucking on your nipple, rather than the nipple and the areola, based on what you say.

You really do need to see a BFC if at all possible. Tricky at this time of year.

Another way to draw up the nipple to make latching on easier is to use a breast pump a bit, just before feeding.

In the book "What to expect when you're breastfeeding", it says that nipple shields only cause problems if you have a slow flow of milk to begin with. If you have a good strong letdown and you find milk pooled in the shield, it says that your baby won't be having problems getting the milk, therefore there will be no effect on supply. I certainly never experienced any problems with supply.

Thankfully, I have been able to latch her on without a nipple sheild for the last couple of days. But I know that there is a Sure Start drop in centre in our area to discuss issues re. breastfeeding so will go to that once the holidays are over if I have any more probs. Many thanks for your advice and support. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!