do you think its possible to fix a bad latch after 8 weeks?

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every time i get someone to help it SEEMS better but when we get home, I try and he just moves his mouth and tongue around to the same painful bad latch,,,, i take him off and he just does same again and gets really worked up (crying). It's only on the left - I think that nipple is shaped differently. other is very cracked but doesnt hurt nearly as much (but still hurts... but latch good)... sorry to ramble. feeding and wincing as i write!

I'm sure someone more experienced will be able to answer your question and I suspect the answer is yes. But one thought - has your son been checked for tongue tie? I only say that as his behaviour sounds exactly the same as my son's (Moves his mouth around one nipple all the time but not so much on the other larger one; constantly sorting out latch only for him to revert) I finally managed to get it diagnosed at 11 weeks and am now waiting to get it sorted. He only has 25% tie but enough to make feeding difficult. It's just a thought - it may not be anything to do with this at all.

Hope you get it sorted whatever - as a veteran of sore nipples you have my sympathy!

Thanks!! He can stick his tongue out so i assumed this meant no tongue tie? didnt realize it could be 25% - what should i look for in his mouth?

If he can stick his tongue out, he's probably okay. 25% just means that the skin underneath the tongue is restricted a little bit (100% I guess is where it goes right to the tip) My son can't poke his tongue much beyond his lip.

Our latch is obviously crap as that's all he can do - but my breastfeeding consultant said that she can help us to 'relearn' when he's had it done (and he will prob be 14-15 weeks by then). So you obviously can relearn. Have you seen a BF consultant or similar? Mine is attached to my hospital and has been a godsend in getting this sorted when MW, HV and GP were all pants.

I looked it up online and did all the little tests with him and I don't think he's tongue tied. I was kind of hoping he was so that I could blame that and look forward to a solution... I guess it's just me then. I see a breastfeeding counselor, go to LLL meetings and get help, ask midwives...etc. I just cna't seem to get it. Maybe it never works for some mothers? It has gotten better... it just still hurts and nipples still cracked and sore and flat with white lines on sides after... and I have milk blisters now, too. not pleasant.

You certainly can fix latch problems at any time. I didn't realise till I got pregnant with DS I had a bad latch on one side with DD (and we fixed it too).

You may have to shape your nipple on that side to help him get attached properly (I do) or use pillows to make sure he is correctly aligned and with his face pointing at your nipples so he doesn't drag on it.

thanks whomovedmychocolate
I have him in front of me at the moment with pillows and he just moves his tongue and mouth around until he's chomping on it again. Should I just keep taking him off? Sometimes I just let him keep going because I don't want the pain of the initial latch one more time...
It's strange because that side is the most intact nipple and not oddly shaped (like other side).

I take it you are already a Lansinoh addict? Doesn't solve the problem but I find if I put it on before every feed it takes the edge off.

May be worth experimenting with different positions and angles - sometimes you can hit on an unexpected way that feels much better (can't always find it again though!) I do take him off again and again if it hurts though I know what you mean about the pain of initial latch.

I have found that either me and/or my nipples have 'toughened up' in the last few weeks and although we have bad phases it's mostly okay.

Hang on in there, you're doing a grand job. Off for a feed now - wish me luck!

yes yes yes!!! please dont give up call this number0845 412 4664 its the bfn suporter line they cant sort attatchment oover the phone i know i know, it sound ludicrous but im doing the training at the moment and i promiss they can its possible that he's just got used to latching on this way it happens, but you can change it it took two weeks with my daughter but it was worth it i fed her for 13 months in the end

Ah, so he's mucking around and being a bugger instead of latching on properly - YES take him off each and every time. Make sure his mouth is really well opened and bring HIM to your breast rather than letting him latch himself on. If you have to a firm hand round the back of his neck will stop him squirming.

Also might sound cruel but let him have a little squark to show he really is quite hungry indeed, then he's less likely to pull off!

Good luck! It is tough I know!

Thanks. I am holding him firmly... sometimes I noticed that I was squeezing his head with my thumb and forefinger because anticipating the sharp pain
I will try again today... was too tired last night and just dealt with the pain because it hurts even more to relatch as I have milk blisters and cracks...etc. yuck.

Can you go see your health visitor and get the latch checked on Monday.

Also, try feeding in the bath, you will be more relaxed, the warm water will help the milk flow so he won't be clamping on so much and hopefully it'll be less painful.

You are very brave for persevering in the circumstances, remember how painful it is like glass being ground into nipples IMHO!