moondog, still not convinced I have thrush, no further symptoms so I'm ignoring it tho did mean to get some daktarin from the gp. Have just namedropped my father (senior pediatrician) to my gp in order to get the meds I needed for ds1 this week, so best not p**s her off again by quoting mumsnet or breasfeeding network on thrush!
aiofaz, I do sympathise, the gape problem is soooo annoying, ds2 was never great, but they get used to the nipple shield, it's a diff. way of sucking. My bfc put it best 'the difference between sucking on your finger, and sucking on your closed fist' which made it really clear to me. Don't honestly feel bad about asking for more help, this is your first child, she's only 10 weeks, you can't figure it all out overnight. There are plenty of people on mnet asking for help with their 3rd child. I can pass on the tips that I was given for the same issue and one of them might help?? And do you try it lying down, I almost never need nipple shields like that & it's a really nice way to do it.
- latch on standing up, then sit down
- Use a rolled up flannel under your breast o help lift it a bit
- do it without a bra
- press his chin down to make the gape better
- ensure both lips are flared out (this is hard, haven't managed that)
She suggested trying everything more than once on different days and keep retrying other tips as things change so quickly with babies and what didn't work 1 week ago might work now & I've found that to be true.
And have you come across 'Biological Nurtering' yet? You basically lie down propped up by loads of cushions so you're comfortable reclined, place baby across your body and let her 'climb' up you - the way they reach the breast, they have to open wide . I'm prob. not explaining it v.well, but google it and you might find more info. I tried it in the bath quite successfully, and haven't persevered, it's a way of retraining them to latch on properly (and again I've prob. got that wrong, apologies to people who know what they're talking about like tiktok, mears...).
And are you using something good on your nipples, like lanisoh or kamillosan? Expensive but worth it. Where are you, if not in the uk? I find not wearing a bra at night is good too, gives them a bit of air to heal. Right, enough of me now, you'll wish you'd never posted. But reallly you're doing so great first time round, I never sought out help the way you're doing!