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May 2015 Moms
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Baby's shallow latch?

marms1987marms1987 member
in May 2015 Moms
My baby was born a week ago, he was able to breastfeed no problems with a little help. When I got back from the hospital I noticed that breastfeeding became painful! His latch is shallow and he never opens his mouth enough, he ends up holding on to the nipple only and bites it during feed, my nipples are now all damaged and sore! I went to the LC today, she weighed the baby said he is getting enough milk and watched me bf and said the latch was ok! But, how could it be ok when every resource said that if bf is painful then the latch is incorrect! She gave me comfort pads to heal my nipples and sent me home. I'm crying with every feed, is that normal? Will it get better? I appreciate any input from moms with similar experiences.
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Re: Baby's shallow latch?

  • mothergoose4mothergoose4 member
    Going through something similar as well. I think they will be sore for a bit longer until they get tough. Once the initial latch happens is it still painful. The pain tends to go away after a few seconds. Try and use lansinoh cream. Works like a charm. Good luck and congrats mama!
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  • sarahandandysarahandandy member
    I went yesterday & babe isn't opening enough either. She taught me once he is latched to use my index finger to go under my boob & press his chin down. It's working so far. I hope this help!
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  • kmb0324kmb0324 member
    This happened to me with my first! I had a very painful first month and a half until my nipples finally healed. I had to use nipple sheilds from time to time to give mine a break to heal. I also was bawling with every feed it was so painful. Try to alternate with cooling breast pads, nipple sheilds, and lasinoh cream. It will take awhile but you'll heal and breast feeding will be a cinch :) even after I had all those problems i breast fed to a year and a half! Also if it doesn't seem to get better in a few weeks I would make another appointment with your lactation consultant!
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  • clareverclarever member
    It is normal to have pain when baby initially latches until your nipples toughen up. The pain should subside after he gets going with his feeding. If pain continues for the whole feeding then baby isn't latched on properly.

    I had cracked bleeding nipples for the first week. After every feed I would express some milk onto the nipple and let it air dry while I was burping baby then use lanolin. Really helped.

    My son is 2 weeks old and I still have a tiny bit of pain when he first latches but it's getting better everyday.
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  • marms1987marms1987 member
    Ladies thanks for the replies! The pain stays for the entire feed, so I can tell that his latch is incorrect. I will try to move his chin today and wait it out this week. If it continues I am hoing again next week!
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  • chavez2685chavez2685 member
    Try using a sheild, it will give you slight relief and give your nipples some chances to heal. Were having the same issue and I strongly feel he just has too small of a mouth right now. My daughter never had this problem.
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  • QueenVict0riaQueenVict0ria member
    My nipples were so torn up in the hospital the shield didn't even work and i had to pump so they could heal. I'm using the shield now tho since she bit me and scratched the other :'( i use a tiny bit of lanolin on the sore spots then use my shield afterwards i put a little milk on the nipples and let them air dry. My baby opens big then moves her bottom lip up once latched. I hold her chin with my finger and massage more of the areola in her mouth. Apparently the more u latch and unlatch the more damage u cause. also u can try tilting his head back so the nose is in a sniffing position.
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  • marms1987marms1987 member
    Ladies have you tried the technique where you flip your nipple upward with your finger and then release it once he opens his mouth? I found it online and tried it but was not successful, but it seemed cool to me, try it as it might work you!
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