Weird latch issues - opinions?

SkiesOfBlue

So sometimes LO latches perfectly and starts feeding right away. Other times I struggle with her for 5-10 minutes getting her to latch. Even when it feels like she has an OK latch she'll just let go and we have to start again. It's becoming increasingly frustrating as I can't understand why she is doing this. I even hand express to get things "started" for her. Does anyone elses LO do this? She is 11 days old.

MrsN41809

I am having this issue too! Everything was going great up until LO started doing this yesterday! The only thing I can figure out is that my nipple is too flat and I kind of have to stimulate it before getting him to latch or my milk is like dripping over everything and my nipple might be too wet so I wipe it off and usually that works.

ncbelle

Very typical newborn stuff ;-)  Remember, both of you are new at this so it's going to take some practice to get right.  Soon she'll "get" it every time and before you know it, she'll be latching on with no help at all.  I know it's frustrating but rest assured it's not something you are doing "wrong"!

In the meantime, always remember to lead with her chin and hook the top lip on.  The biggest mistake I made was to try to head kiddo's mouth straight on my nipple - and that generally gets a bad latch.  You can also try tugging down her chin a bit once she's latched if it's not quite on there right.  Also make sure to catch her before she gets to frantic hunger signs as that will make it harder for her to latch.

SkiesOfBlue

Thanks. It's actually really hard for me to not automatically jump to the "oh my god I'm doing something wrong" conclusion. I guess I have to be reminded that all my struggles are "normal".

ncbelle

SkiesOfBlue:

Thanks. It's actually really hard for me to not automatically jump to the "oh my god I'm doing something wrong" conclusion. I guess I have to be reminded that all my struggles are "normal".

We all feel that way at first ;-)  You go in thinking that BFing should be "easy" and "natural" - but it takes a lot of work and practice!  Hang in there!