Need support--baby clicking when nursing?

jr63_2020

At my baby's appt today, she'd lost weight. She is 16 days old. It was a follow-up from last Friday where she'd barely gained. The ped sent me to a lactation consultant who helped me have an awesome feeding and figured out that Ava is spending more energy trying to latch than she's getting from the food, so she's losing weight. She could tell this from a clicking noise she makes when she sucks and suggested i pull down on her chin when she eats. I just tried a feeding myself and it didn't go as well, I kept hearing the clicking noise even though she ended the feeding with a milk face. I feel like my support system is dwindling and that i'l be told to supplement with formula on Monday at her appt. I'm so upset about her loss bc obviously I want her to be healthy, and I feel like she's been starving or something. I also REALLY wanted to BF. I haven't stopped crying since the ped's office, except for when I was with the lactation person and briefly thought "we got this". I feel like a failure. I REALLY wanted to be able to feed my baby myself. I'm in rough shape right now. Does anyone have any suggestions? I need help.

BeachBlondie456

My baby had a really hard time latching because I have somewhat flat nipples. They gave me a nipple shield and we only had to use it for two weeks then she started latching on her own. It also drew my nipple out more so now we have no trouble. We had to supplement a little formula the first week or two as well. I used a syringe instead of a bottle since we were already having latch issues. If you really want to breastfeed I think you can! Just keep trying and try not to get frustrated. The clicking I think comes when they have a shallow latch, try to get her to open really wide and scoop lots of boob in her mouth! I did a lot of reading online and it helped me understand latch better. Have you tried different positions? My LO would not open her mouth wide at all and then one day she just got it all of a sudden. Don't give up you can do it! If you have to supplement a bit it's not the most awful thing, sorry for the ramble I'm on my iPhone. I hope it gets Better for you I'm sure it will!

suttonkt

I went through that, we always did right when the LC was there and felt confident, then it seemed to fall apart when we tried again alone. Is your DH/SO available to help you out? 

My DH saw the LC with me and she was able to show him ways to help. Like he would be able to pull down on LO's chin so that my hands were free to "sandwich" the nipple and still hold her close. Sometimes it feels like you need 10 hands to do it all. Don't give up! Even if you have to supplement a little bit with formula doesn't mean you can't keep trying. Good luck! 

MesmrEwe

Contact your local LeLeche League contact!!!!  They're so much more helpful than LC's and if anything, are FAR more willing to spend a couple feedings with you to get the hang of the new technique! 

TheLastCall

Keep trying!  At first it feels like you don't have enough hands and you're all thumbs but it does get better.  I know this doesn't mean much to you right now, but if a bit of formula is what helps makes things better, is it really that bad to give it to her?

SnoopyLuv

We had the clicking issue. I used a nipple shield and our LC instructed us to syringe feed while DH had her suck on his finger to correct her latch. She did it until about 12 weeks. It was awful nursing like that but I was able to ditch the shield after 3 weeks.

Get to an LLL meeting or a good LC, that was what saved us.

jlsimon56

My LO clicked for forever.  I felt so bad unlatching her and relatching her to try to get rid of the clicking.  I fed her often, so there was some food getting in her belly.  My friend came over to help me - showed me how to touch baby's chin to my breast to get her to open her mouth.  It was a game-changer, that maneuver.  My LO fought against having her chin pulled on.  I also did the sandwich thing pp mentions.

I also watched youtube videos on latching.  Weird, but helpful!  

Try to start feeding before you see hungry cues, so your baby isn't hungry and frustrated.  A calm baby is easier to work with.

My baby is 3+ months old now and still clicks sometimes but it doesn't hurt and she's gaining so I'm not worried.