pathetic latch.. how to teach a 9 week old after shields?

[determination]

My 9 week old was 4 weeks premature and refused to latch or attempt to latch onto my breast, so i resorted to the use of nipple shields and ended up in a vicious circle. In the last few days i managed to completely ditch the shields "cold turkey!" but her latch is so bad that my nipples are damaged. I have actually had to dig out my silverette again to heal them, problem is.. i dont want to have to wear them contineously. How do i now teach her to latch properly after using the shields for so long?

When she is latching everything looks good, nose to nipple, chin to breast, tummy to mummy, her tongue comes out and she opens wide. Then when she latches and starts to feed she sucks her bottom lip in.. and i have been trying to correct this whilst latched, purely because regardless of how often we try the same happens.

What should i do?

bump

I read somewhere about trimming the edges of the shield down with scissors a little at a time...

have you a good bf counsellor?

You really need the help of a bfc tbh so I would recommend calling the helplines to find one locally to help you. I had to use shields for several months after DS rejected my boobs so I want to reassure you that its VERY possible to get her latched ok....but tbh I cant remember how I got him off them - I think I just tried him one day at 3 months old & he took it...but with your LO being prem she might need a little help with her suckling....so finding some real-life expert help in the form of a bfc I trust & get on with would be my first call.

Be careful trimming them down though - that only works with latex ones - you cant trim silicone ones as it leaves a sharp edge.

I have not used the shield for 2.5 days now and she will latch and feed every time. it is her latch directly onto my breast that is poor and im finding it sssooo difficult to get her to do it properly. My nipples feel like they have been rubbed with sand paper.

I have not used the shield for 2.5 days now and she will latch and feed every time. it is her latch directly onto my breast that is poor and im finding it sssooo difficult to get her to do it properly. My nipples feel like they have been rubbed with sand paper.

I had to use shields with my dd for 3 months because of the pain. The latch on was fine, I had been told this by a few mws and hvs, but the only way I could bf without excrutiating pain was with shields. I took my nipples 3 months to toughen up enough to go without them. Maybe you could leave it a bit longer before going cold turkey.

dm [are you well named?] why not try a counsellor? otherwise you risk a dodgy latch getting worse.