How do I get my three week old to open his mouth really wide for a good latch?

[Jic]

I've tried tickling his lips, brushing his cheeks with the nipple, from one side of his mouth to the other with the nipple, putting a little pressure on his chin, you name it I've tried it, and he still doesn't open it wide enough so we never get a good latch. However he is feeding well, in fact he is putting on lots of weight but I never feel comfortable during a feed, so does this mean I'm doing it right? I've read lots about if there wasn't a good latch then the baby wouldn't be able to get enough milk and he is certainly getting enough- he was born 8lb 1 and he's now 9lb 9 at three weeks. I'm wondering if I'll have to be uncomfortable (sometimes i can call it painful) for the rest of the time I want to breastfeed? Surely not! What am I doing wrong?! TIA

I used to put my finger inbetween the chin and the bottom lip and pull down gently . It opens the lip back and seemed to help with the latching

Good luck hth

I second travellingwilbury. I used to have to gently pull down dd2's chin b/c she never opened her mouth wide enough.

No advice just wanted to sympathise as I have this problem with my 3 week old. So many people have told me that breastfeeding just IS uncomfortable but i find myself analysing every latch to try to work out whether it's crossed the line into PAIN. Friends of mine don't grimace when their babies latch on though so I figure I haven't got it quite right yet. Anyway, you're not alone!

Thanks stretchmarkqueen and travellingwillbury I'll try that again although he really does resist it! I guess I have to be patient!

Thanks Phoebe it's good to know I'm not alone, I know exactly what you mean about analysing every latch- it's just exhausting that it's a struggle isn't it? Hope it gets better for you too.

Oh Jic {BIG HUGS},

I can remember that feeling like it was yesterday - thinking that i would never truly enjoy breastfeeding due to the pain. These times will pass, just remember he will grow bigger ever day and his mouth get get bigger and wider.

I used to play with my nipples until they were properly erect and the milk was flowing. At this point i would lift dd for a feed and tease her with the erect nipple and flowing milk. I would rub it round her lips and touch her cheek with it and just generally rub it around her face until she was 'rooting' with a big wide mouth. She would not open wide enough until she was really ready for a feed. So i fed her completely on demand.

Regarding the pain, i got myself a pair of Silverette and i was completely pain free within 48 hours and never had pain again. They are complete miracle workers.

Jic, you are doing such a special thing for your lo.. it can be really difficult but, they do grow up so fast and before you know it he will be toddling and you will be wondering where the time has gone!

Hang in there,

Another thing,

I felt that i could not properly correct my latch until after i had healed my nipples with the silverette. Purely because i was pulling away from her due to the pain and this as a result was making the pain worse. When the pain had completely gone i was then able to concentrate better on my latch to rectify the problem.

Thank you for support determination, I feel better now just knowing it will be easier with time.

May be worth seeing a BF counsellor or ringing a helpline. I remember (and I may be wrong), that applying very light pressure between the shoulder blades can help to open LOs mouths. It worked really well for us, but can't remember the specifics. Not much help, sorry.
I second determination - it gets miles better.

Hi!! Just wondering how you are getting on!

Well it's still the same really- I've tried pressure on his chin before getting him to latch like suggested but to no avail! I had thought of seeing a bf counsellor and I might if it continues to be a real problem. For now I'm persevering with it being uncomfortable but the main thing is that he is managing to get enough and is thriving. Thanks for checking how I'm doing stretchmarkqueen, hopefully in months to come this will be a distant memory and I'll be bf without dreading it!

I had similar problem with DS. I found putting a pillow under him to lift him up closer was more comfortable, then not being frightened to move him around and position him. Seems like he's getting enough milk though so don't worry too much. Take care.

If your baby is gaining weight that suggests you're doing fine and he's getting enough milk, i found feeding very uncomfortable for the first 6 weeks and constantly worried I wasn't doing it right! I'm still feeding at 9 months and it's well worth perservering, is gets much easier with time. Good luck!!

Make sure you are not holding baby's head when he heeds to open wide, baby needs to throw head back in order to open up. Supoort him behind the shoulders and neck with the right hand if he's feeding on left breast or vice versa, keep him really close in, start nose-to-nipple, wait until he gets as wide as poss, then put him on firmly, bottom lip touching breast first. Some Mums like to 'flick' the nipple in past baby's top lip at the last minute with their other hand, esp good for small babies with small mouths. then once he's on, you can relax and support his head with your free hand.

This is an excellent video:
www.who.int/nutrition/media_page/cht_wfa_boys_z_0_5.pdf

We had this problem but DD just seemed to sort it out on her own by about week 4.

Sorry, completely wrong link!!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zln0LTkejIs