7 day old can't seem to latch.

[drinkyourmilk]

Just as the title says really. I always planned to bf- but my 7 day old just can't seem to latch. Everyone and their dog has tried. So we've had to resort to bottles, on account of not wanting to starve her. Is there any hope to establish it now? People keep telling me it's not the be and end all, and obviously I want my daughter fed and healthy - but it's something that's important to me.
We do have an appointment for the tongue tie clinic - but not until Tuesday.
I am using a hand pump to express as much milk as I can.

Loads of hope 😀 .

It's really early days.

One thing stood out from your post: you have had many ppl try to get your baby latched.

This can work against a solution. The baby starts to struggle or switch off - she has uncomfortable experiences with the pushing and shoving, and resists.

You are doing the right thing in ensuring she gets fed. By now, you should be using the most efficient expressing method - this can be a hand pump, your hands (no pump), electric pump....whichever works best for you. Lots of skin to skin, give the bottle skin to skin, keep up the closeness and connection.

Try co bathing and see if she if she snuggles up and latches herself.

But no panic. You have time, plus an appointment, and you can perhaps see someone who will be hands off to help with the latch (e.g. A breastfeeding counsellor).

Have you tried nipple shields? DD would not latch for love nor money but I was determined to bf so bought shields (against advice from HCP!).

She used them effectively for 12 weeks at which stage I was able to wean her off of them. I continued to feed her for 25 months without any other problems.

Good luck

Yep - shields can sometimes help. But they have drawbacks so do explore their use with a bf counsellor first.

I had the same issue with both of mine. DC1 was never able to latch directly on to me. DC2 seemed a bit better to start with but munched my nipples raw within 3 days, to the point I was advised to stop breastfeeding for 2-3 days as they had to heal, and hand express/bottle feed instead. She turned out to have a severe posterior tongue tie - in hindsight, I now believe my eldest did too, but undiagnosed.

In the end what worked with both of them for me was nipple shields (on the advice of lactation specialists when everything else had failed) and mixed feeding with breastfeeds, expressed milk and a bit of formula when I needed a break from it all. There are lots of different things you can try, which a breastfeeding specialist should be able to advise you on. In the end DC1 breastfed until 12 months old, DC2 is stil having the odd feed now at 16 months, so there is definitely hope! Keep persevering one feed at a time and try to find local breastfeeding clinics, go as often as you can! I was there 2-3 times a week in the first 3 weeks with each of them.

Thank you so much for the quick advice and reassurance.
I do actually have a lactation consultant coming tomorrow. I will stick with her from now on.
I did try agent nipple shields - but they are so bloody pointy! Miss E ended up with a mouth full of rubber and still no milk.
I've stopped trying to force her on (like I was shown by countless midwives) as she got so upset. I now sit topless most of the day with her on my chest and sometimes she crawls down to have a chew. Very occasionally she latches and sucks 3-4 times, but it's a shallow latch alas. If she is calm she will let me help her.
I'll start feeding skin to skin.
Had a section so baths are out for a while due to mobility.

My boobs have started dripping when she cries - so I'm guessing milk is in! Massive norks, so didn't go hard - just bigger!!

Avent nipple shields.

I used the Medela nipple shields which are rounder I think. However, they don't suit everyone - my DSIS couldn't get on with them at all. Keep plugging away, the first few weeks are really tough!

Thanks Sierra. I shall take a look at the medela.
I'm using a medela pump and bottles so would probably make sense.

It was the Medela ones I used too. Well done for persevering - it can be really gruelling

Thought I would update.
Saw the lactation consultant today who doesn't feel there is a tongue tie - well it's tiny and she doesn't feel that the problem would necessarily be resolved through having it snipped. So my husband and I need to decide whether to have it done.
She did show me how to use nipple shields properly- and I've given my baby 3 breast feeds today! We are still offering a top up afterwards as it's a new skill and she is still jaunticed (and I wonder if my supply is a little low as I've been exclusively expressing)- but it's a massive step in the right direction.
I'm doing all I can to boost my supply - still expressing after every feed (though not getting much now), and ensuring i take time to sleep, eat and drink myself. Also lots of skin to skin has been recommended.

That sounds really hopeful :)

Great news drink!

Just popping I to say CONGRATULATIONS drink lost track of you when the thread moved over to fb. What amazing news on your little girl!

Don't know how you're getting on now, but ds was only just diagnosed with posterior tongue tie at 18 weeks. We had it snipped on Friday even though Lactation consultant said he had full movement. What a difference it's made! Now feeding without pain and my supply seems to be back up.

Hope you're enjoying every moment with your precious girl 🌷🌹🌷👍

Super news! I was recommended fenugreek capsules to increase my supply, and my dd has started gaining more weight. Could be a lot as if rubbish but it can't hurt. Really pleased for you.

*Load of rubbish

Quick update :
My dd is now 3 weeks 4 days and we are now Ebf. She was weighed today and has put on 6.5oz in a week! Still using nipple shields for every feed- but we will work on that in due course.
I just wanted to let anyone reading this know that it can be done.
Thank you for all the advice.
Next thread- how to ditch the shields!