Latching on issues

[Bippidee]

Please someone tell me latching becomes easier once milk actually comes in?

DD is 2 days old, and will take colostrum off my pinky, but struggles to maintain a good latch at the breast. She will get maybe 2-3 decent sucks then come off, then understandably get very tizzy when she can't regain the latch.

My issues are (I think) that my breasts are large (36jj), my hands are tiny comparatively, so I find it difficult to reshape the breast so it goes in her mouth in the first place. I have tried lying down feeding, rugby ball, tummy to tummy... The only thing working for us right now is taking the colostrum off my pinky (as above).

Does it get easier? I understand I should persevere, but I feel so run down and tired, I don't know what to do.

I had a lactation consultant come today and she was really encouraging. She is coming again tomorrow.

I just feel so rubbish about not being able to do this.

I know having a cold doesn't help and basically still being in shock from the birth also is contributing, but please tell me it gets easier?

A long time ago for me now, but yes it definitely does get easier! I'm not sure whether it has so much to do with your milk coming in. I think it's partly just that the baby, as well as mum, gets the hang of it better after a bit of practice. Don't feel rubbish about finding it tricky at first! I found it difficult at first when I had my first child, but was glad I stuck with it.

It does get easier. Both you and your baby are learning a new skill which takes a little time.

One thing that helped me with my enormous boobs (34L at the peak of feeding) was to roll a muslin up like a sausage roll and put it under my breast to lift it up. Seemed to make it easier for DS to latch on when he was a newborn.

Remember to get your DDs nose to line up with your nipple and keep her head in line with her body. Lots of skin to skin will help aswell. It may also be worth asking your lactation consultant to check to see of your DD has a tongue tie as this can affect their latch.

And congratulations on your new baby!

Thank you both. It has got easier, she latched this morning and had a good old go and is currently fast asleep.