Help! BF/shallow latch XP from Preemies

urbanflowerpot · June 2011

Hello,

I come over here sometimes, but am mainly only on the preemie boards these days so that is where I posted this first. Things to know - I delivered at 30 W, 6 D, LO was on IV-type feeds for 3 + weeks, then we started to BF, mouth was still too little so were using a shield in the hospital. LO is now over full term and about 8 lbs. Think that's all the specialized background needed. Oh yeah, we were using the enfamil slowest flow nipples, then 2+ weeks ago was started on the medela special feeder for gulping/apnea/bradycardia issues. Has only ever had BM with neosure added for calories/weightgain in beginning.

---------------------------------------

I'm so frustrated! We spent 50 days in one NICU under constant survaillence re: BF'ing, pre/post weights, etc, then 8 days in another NICU - and nobody thought of shallow latch as an issue until in a fit of frustrated tears I took LO off me and stuck my finger into his mouth. I almost never put my fingers in his mouth. When I got my finger back to where he should be sucking he gagged - tried again, same every time. I looked up shallow latch and it's classic...I haven't peered under his tongue yet to see if it's tied. We'd weigh him every single day in NICU - he'd feed for 45-60 min and always get an average of 15 mls. It seemed so mysterious - why didn't anyone figure this out? Crying

I was using the shield when he was smaller and all during his NICU time, but we ditched it a couple weeks ago because it was making him mad...and then I'd get super stressed. BF'ing has never been a relaxing, enjoyable experience for us so I feel mystified when others talk about it. It's a wreck. I thought I'd gotten blisters from my pump (I've only ever given him BM through whole ordeal - supplemented with neosure at beginning) - so you can see why I thought the blisters were from pump. I just gave a few days break, tried again and bam! blisters within a half hour of latching. I'm already discolored because of pumping so much, but when he sucks my nipple turns light shade, like lipstick.

I'm so upset & I don't know what to do anymore Crying

Thoughts/suggestions/ideas/experience/anything??

tolicakes · June 2011

I'm sorry you're going through all of that. Breastfeeding is definitely hard. Is it possible that you're not using the right sized shields on your pump? That may cause blistering. I also got a lot of blisters from LO when he was younger and had a smaller mouth.

Have you tried any lanolin ointment or Dr. Newman's All Purpose Nipple Ointment? Dr. Newman's is prescription ointment that has to be compounded at a pharmacy, but it provides a lot of relief.

You should also look into seeing a lactation consultant. Make sure they are an IBCLC certified consultant. I hope it gets better for you soon.

urbanflowerpot · June 2011

tolicakes:

I'm sorry you're going through all of that. Breastfeeding is definitely hard. Is it possible that you're not using the right sized shields on your pump? That may cause blistering. I also got a lot of blisters from LO when he was younger and had a smaller mouth.

Have you tried any lanolin ointment or Dr. Newman's All Purpose Nipple Ointment? Dr. Newman's is prescription ointment that has to be compounded at a pharmacy, but it provides a lot of relief.

You should also look into seeing a lactation consultant. Make sure they are an IBCLC certified consultant. I hope it gets better for you soon.

Thanks! ...not quite the problem, though. I'm aces with pumping. It's the LO-latch that's shallow and not sure what to do. I had LC's out the toosh with 58 days collectively spent in NICU. They spend a lotttt of time with you in there which is why I'm extra frustrated. Why didn't anyone think of this as an issue? I think because he was so little they thought, awh, little guy he doesn't have the strength when in retrospect he had the strength to try for an hour at a time! That's a lot when you're 4 lbs. I was at two Top 10 hospitals reknowned for their LCs. Bah.

hoping4sticky · June 2011

My LO was 35 weeks with bad jaundice - nothing compared to you, but we had some similar issues. We used the shield for 3.5 months, I figured we'd never ditch it until one day she latched on correctly. I would try different sized nipple shields until your LO gets older, T used a 20mm, but maybe you need a bigger one to allow a faster flow? GL

urbanflowerpot · June 2011

hoping4sticky:
My LO was 35 weeks with bad jaundice - nothing compared to you, but we had some similar issues. We used the shield for 3.5 months, I figured we'd never ditch it until one day she latched on correctly. I would try different sized nipple shields until your LO gets older, T used a 20mm, but maybe you need a bigger one to allow a faster flow? GL

I will revisit this perhaps, thank you. We have been through three sizes (xs-med) but haven't spent much time with medium.

beedale862003 · June 2011

I think you need to check his tongue immediately, if he is tongue tied its such an easy fix. And its an extremely common problem, so it could very well be that.

And just a little note if he is tongue tied, its often genetic so check future LO's when they are born for the same thing.

Lisa102304 · June 2011

Have you tried different holds? DD latches better with the football hold...

urbanflowerpot · June 2011

Yup. We've even stood on our heads.

Ughhhhhh, thank you ladies. I can't explain how frustrating it was to spend two months sitting in NICU then think...wait, what if *I'M NOT THE PROBLEM?!* I thought that's why we paid doctors.

Want a personalized experience?

Help! BF/shallow latch XP from Preemies

Re: Help! BF/shallow latch XP from Preemies

Choose Another Board

Search Boards