Anyone else had a baby that wouldn't open it's mouth very wide?

[Josie22]

Have been on here before as have struggled with bf since day 1 in terms of painful nipples - now over 3 weeks in am still experiencing problems. Baby has been checked for tongue tie and all ok. Saw health visitor earlier who basically watched latch and said that all is good (i.e. position we are both in etc) but that my baby just wasn't opening the mouth enough to get much more than the nipple in - no matter how many times I latch off/on again. She couldn't offer much advice but as lo had put on weight and due to a fast letdown and good milk supply from me she said it was ok that the latch isn't perfect (though obviously not from my nipples point of view!) as baby getting enough milk and that given time she thought it would improve.

So just wondered if anyone else had ever had this problem and if so did it go away and was there anything you did that helped?

Also, any ideas if cranial osteopathy could help?

Caitni and Haliborange I think you guys see the same bfeeding counsellors as me! And am guessing it is you who have filled all the spaces in the stonecroft group this week so I couldn't go! Tee hee!

Thandeka, I was indeed at Stonecroft this week
(it's Caitni btw - I namechanged). I went last week too and am booked in again for next week - I feel like I was lucky to get in last week as it seems to book up quickly! Hopefully I'll have made some good progress by next Wed (am now being treated for thrush) but I'd rather have the appointment and cancel than wish I could make it. Apparently the one at Hornsey Road on Monday afternoons is also good (it's an Islington one) so I'm planning on that one as well next week.

We must be very local to each other

Does Alison go to that one? As she has been supporting me brilliantly up til now- I usually go to Rowland Hill on a wednesday aft. but can't make it this week and it hasn't been on for two weeks and I want to get Madam's new post tongue tie latch checked! Can't make Stonecroft next week but may try week after.

I'm bounds green area, going to baby massage at YMCA hornsey tommorrow if local people fancy it!

I'm not far from Bounds Green Thandeka. who knows, we may even have seen each other in the park or something!

Glad you've had the thrush identified. Flip. T'will all improve from here on in, I'm sure. You may also find the baby gets a bit more settled (thrush can make them very windy).

Thandeka Alison wasn't at Wed's session so you didn't miss her - she doesn't do the Hornsey Road one as it's Islington. Will have to check out Rowland Hill though (am I developing an addiction to BFing support groups ). Hope your DD's post-tongue tie latch is good . I'm not brave enough for baby massage etc yet but hope you have fun!

Hali I'm glad to have an identifiable problem...and interestingly my son now has (since last night) small white patches in his mouth and a bit of nappy rash. He's also been very windy and hard to settle at times, which had me baffled as people kept telling me that BF babies aren't windy [pieces falling into place emoticon].

I had this with DS2. I then watched the Rebecca Glover DVD 'Follow me Mum' she folds the nipple into the mouth. It's hard to exlain but it worked. her theory is that were the areola goes the nipple will follow.

Rowland hill is a tiny one max three people usually so you get great one to one support from Alison.(she is on holiday this week as is jenny i believe hence not at Stonecroft- [stalking bfeeding counsellors emoticon!]

I think she does the wellbourne children's centre on a monday so may try out that one (only one in Haringey I haven't done yet!) as may not make wed. but do come to Rowland Hill is a nice one.

I am certain it will get better. I had similar issues and was told to brush my nipple against her nose. Odd but it did make her open mouth wider. As she grew bigger she naturally got better. She was v.small to begin with and we had lots of probs. Definately recommend Lansinoh and if you ask your Dr you can get in on perscription which should save you a tenner. Hang on in there. The rewards of B/F are so worthwhile.

I am experiencing this at the moment, my DD doesn't open her mouth very wide at all although she does get a bit more than just the nipple in.

We managed ok for the first 8 weeks but it seemed to get worse not better and she was taking in air and getting really windy. I asked lots of people at BF group/HV etc but because DD is putting on weight and it is not hurting me, they thought it was fine. But it was hurting DD to have all the wind so I wasn't happy.

Finally I asked an NCT breastfeeding councellor at a group I went too (she just happened to be there) and she was great. She was the first person to look at the latch and notice that DD wasn't opening her mouth very wide. She gave me some tips that really helped like putting my nipple on DD's nose and making her tip her head right back and really lunge for the breast before she could have it.

Would strongly recomend talking to an NCT BF counsellor, the one I spoke too was really knowledgable.

Just to bump this to let you know that the fabulous Alison Shaloe has unfortunately been made redundant. We are trying to get as many people as possible to write letters to try to get them to reconsider as it will be a real disservice to the women of haringey without her and poor Jenny Alexander will be spread too thin. I have an adress to write too so please email me on [email protected] for it (would post it cept am feeding bub to sleep and it's upstairs!)