Struggle to latch properly on one side

[tayla968]

Hi FTM and my 6 & 1/2 week old is not latching properly into my left nipple when BF. It's becoming so painful I dread feeding him on that side. Having no problems with my right side. I carefully unlatch him and try again but it makes no difference?
Am I doing something wrong? Thank you

Have you tried switching position. I found the rugby hold way best for my left boob. Don't know why but left was always an issue but rugby ball hold was the only way I managed. I'd try switching up the position if you haven't already.

I was always lop sided with both my DC. Could never get left as good. With time it produced less

I had this issue with both DD’s. Could never get the match right in my left breast no matter what position/technique I tried. Even the breastfeeding helper who came to assess a feed couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t working. I ended up exclusively feeding from one side with both children. After I gave up trying I never had any issues just feeding from one side either, always enough milk.

latch not match!

Get a video appointment with a lactation consultant so they can advise you on positions. In the meantime - It’s possible the left breast is fairly engorged so baby might be finding it difficult to latch - you could try expressing a little before a feed to see if that helps? My nipples tend to disappear when I engorge and so my son has to bite them or grip them harder.

@TheGriffle did you express on the side you weren't BF from? As to not get issues like mastitis and/or blocked ducts? Or did you just completely leave the left side alone?

Thank you

@tayla968 after trying for about a week I just left that side alone. I hand expressed a small amount in the shower if I needed to but I don’t think there was ever much milk in that side, especially the second time round. I never got a blocked duct or mastitis when I stopped trying to feed on that breast but that was probably pure luck!

This video has some helpful tips on latching

Might be worth a look. Could you express from that side with a pump for a few days to give the nipple a chance to heal - hydrogel discs can be very good, but pricey - and then try again?

I had similar issues in the past, where I couldn't get baby to latch on one side and I couldn't understand why. I was lucky to see an infant feeding specialist by chance and asked her to have a look. It turned out that when I fed on that side, I wasn't allowing enough space for baby's nose to be able to breathe very much!!