Tips for getting LO to open wider?

becketts

DD and I are working on transitioning from EP to EBF. One challenge we're facing is DD's inconsistent latch. She gets lazy about it, and it extends to the breast, bottle, and pacifier. It seems like she either doesn't open wide enough or doesn't get her tongue out of the way. We've had moderate success with a nipple shield, but sometimes she tries to just suck on the end of it. Tomorrow is her due week's she was 5 weeks early) and I'm hoping some of it is a maturity issue, but I appreciate any advice people have! 

tokenhoser

I would tickle his lips with my nipple and then jam it in when he opened. It also helped to squish my breast into a "sandwich" (hold with my hand above and below the nipple) to make the breast flatter so it would fit better.

https://www.askdrsears.com/topics/breastfeeding/rightstart-techniques/proper-positioning-and-latch-skills

88eve88

My LC also suggested that I squish as much boob into LO's mouth as possible.   Her reasoning was that LO would have to open his mouth wider to accommodate the extra boob.  It did seem to work though!

klmbbb

I didn't have a preemie but had a similar problem.  When I touched the nipple to  LO's upper lip and waited for her mouth to open wide (may not happen right away) that seemed to work, eventually. 

LizBGood

My mom taught me that when I squish the breast, hold closer to the nipple to make it pop out a little more, not far back at the edge of the aereola. It really helped me! And teasing the upper lip, of course. I've heard gently easing their lower jaw down can help but have not tried it.