Couple of BFing questions...

LilyB2521

DD will only latch on the right side, and so I'm pumping the left.  I try offering the left every time she feeds, but 90% of the time she won't take it.  I'm trying to contact a LC as we speak to try to fix this, but in the meantime...When she feeds, if she's not satisfied after she's done on the right, we're giving her a bottle from the left to make sure she's getting enough.

My first question is - We've been using a Avent bottle, and the nipple that came with it.  She's had no problems switching from bottle to breast, but do you think maybe we should be using a slow flow nipple just to be on the safe side?  She definately chugs down a bottle pretty quickly when we give it to her.  Any Recommendations? 

Second, I'm finding sometimes it's like she's using me as a pacifier when she's done feeding.  She won't let go of the latch, and her sucks become faster without swallowing.  If I unlatch her and offer the breast to her, she'll latch again.  Because of this, I have a hard time telling when she's done and full because she's not letting go on her own, not sure what to do?

TIA.

Carrie719

Congrats on your new little girl! My son had trouble with the latch too.  What worked for us was only nursing in one position for a week--just until he got it down.  Laying down tummy to tummy worked best for us.  Then we tried other positions.  Call your hospital where you delivered.  They will usually let you see their LC free of charge.  Then you won't have to worry about who takes your insurance, etc.  As for the pacifier issue, I have no help.  I'm having the same issue.  Good luck!

Alli321

My LO also chugs down bottle when we give them to her, we use the Avent with the slow flow nipple. 

For the pacifier issue, my LC suggested that if I think she is done and just sucking to suck to give her a pacifier, because if she is still hungry and not wanting to just suck, she will spit out the pacifier and cry for food. 

socalduo

I would recommend using the Breastflow bottle from the First Years.  The bottles are designed to best mimic the breast.  I used these bottles for the first 2 to 3 months and then switched to Avent bottles.  Now after 5 months (the last 3 in daycare), my DD has developed a bottle preference.  I wish I stay with the Breastflow bottles.  If you use the Avent bottles, I would definitely use the slow-flow nipples.

As for your latch issue, I had a similar problem.  My DD didn't latch until week 4 and when she did, she initially only latched to to the left breast.  It took another week for her to latch to the right side (my right nipple is very slightly shorter than my left...and I mean maybe a millimeter).  I used a nipple sheild for her to latch on and to help get my milk to come in (I also pumped).  Maybe you could use a nipple sheild on your left side until she is able to latch on properly.  I wouldn't try using a pacifier until at least 3 weeks or until bfing is really well established.  If you notice your LO doing non-nutritive sucking, just unlatch her.