latch issues

lifesaverz

so first we have the issue of latching at all, using a nipple shield, that not working, pumping & doing bottle feeding, blah blah blah, & now she's finally latching on my actual breast but it's not a wide enough latch so it hurts so bad!   I've been working with a lactation consultant but am wondering, do any of you out there have any great tricks other than just waiting for her to open wide enough & trying over & over?  ugh it's so hard.  can't seem to get her to open big enough.

BoothBaby

It's tough! I usually squeeze my boob a bit so I can fit more in his mouth...or rather, get it in there a bit deeper, if that makes sense. Sometimes it takes 5-10 min of trying before we get a decent latch. It sucks, but be patient and persistent!

musicnmoon123

Cashingn2 said:

I always expressed a little milk out onto my nipple and ran my nipple above and below her mouth. That usually worked for us. Unfortunately, she has some sucking issues so she'd latch great then clamp down. Yikes. I did find that Youtube had some helpful videos on there.

@cashingn2 - have you corrected the clamping down issue? We're having that problem now. Ouch. No idea how to fix it.

KelseyKetchum

My LC in the hospital told me to squish my nipple and areola like a sandwich. That made LO open his mouth wider and now he does it automatically without me squishing my boob. Hope it helps

musicnmoon123

Cashingn2 said:

MrsHoffman2b said:

Cashingn2 said:

I always expressed a little milk out onto my nipple and ran my nipple above and below her mouth. That usually worked for us. Unfortunately, she has some sucking issues so she'd latch great then clamp down. Yikes. I did find that Youtube had some helpful videos on there.

@cashingn2 - have you corrected the clamping down issue? We're having that problem now. Ouch. No idea how to fix it.

She's got an issue with her sucking reflex and may possibly need surgery due to an issue with her airway. We've been referred to a specialist to see if it's something serious enough or if it's something that some specific exercises/massages can correct.


OP: sorry for the thread jack! Unfortunately no advice for you other than patience and to meet with a LC.

Cash: I'm sorry to hear she might need surgery. Who diagnosed the sucking reflex issue? What type of specialist are you seeing? I'm beginning to suspect M has a sucking reflex prob as well. He doesn't suck on my finger or a pacifier. He just gums them. Not sure who to see as I've already met with 3 LCs and a dr who specializes in bf'ing and this issue is ongoing. He'll be 6 weeks Tues! Sigh.

SarahDavis83

Mine does this too. I'm just working through it and hoping I toughen up. A couple tricks from my LC though: Try latching LO to your pinky first, then slip your nipple in... Supposedly it helps them get the chomping out of the way. Didn't work for us, but maybe it will for you. Also, once LO is latched, try forcefully pulling their chin down. This one works for us sometimes. HTH!

lifesaverz

thanks ladies!  thankfully my boobs are starting to feel not quite as sore today.  She does the clamp down thing sometimes too, but usually it's just the too small of a latch.  Seems like it's something we'll just have to keep working on, but thankfully at least it doesn't hurt so bad that I can't nurse.

Whitterpow

I usually have to wait for him to open wide and then I position his bottom lip and try to guide him over to latch on. Sometimes he still gets on there shallow and then I pull his chin down.

lifesaverz

Whitterpow said:

I usually have to wait for him to open wide and then I position his bottom lip and try to guide him over to latch on. Sometimes he still gets on there shallow and then I pull his chin down.

@Whitterpow, it's so weird, I feel like I'm waiting for the exact right second, then popping her on as fast as I can!

Whitterpow

jordanm24 said:

Whitterpow said:

I usually have to wait for him to open wide and then I position his bottom lip and try to guide him over to latch on. Sometimes he still gets on there shallow and then I pull his chin down.

@Whitterpow, it's so weird, I feel like I'm waiting for the exact right second, then popping her on as fast as I can!


That's kind of what I have to do. He's gotten better though so I think after time they realize if they want food this is what they have to do. I also read that not waiting until they're too hungry makes it easier to get them latched and I've noticed those times are easier.

lifesaverz

Whitterpow said:

Whitterpow said:

I usually have to wait for him to open wide and then I position his bottom lip and try to guide him over to latch on. Sometimes he still gets on there shallow and then I pull his chin down.

@Whitterpow, it's so weird, I feel like I'm waiting for the exact right second, then popping her on as fast as I can!

That's kind of what I have to do. He's gotten better though so I think after time they realize if they want food this is what they have to do. I also read that not waiting until they're too hungry makes it easier to get them latched and I've noticed those times are easier.

good to know that they do learn it eventually!

noslen0519

She started off with a good latch but I feel like she has gotten lazy over the last week or two. I'm wondering if the bottles of pumped milk we are giving her are to blame. It takes me awhile to latch her well now.  :-/

ETA spelling