latching help?!!

[Uvlollypop]

hiya i wondered if i could get some advice

i had Faith three days ago and have been breast feeding her she was very interested as soon as she was born and im feeling really positive about it all apart from one thing... i cant get her to latch on my right boobie properly she refuses to open her mouth enough resulting in a painful crack. i take her off the boobie and try for ages to get her back on properly but she gets really upset and we both end up in tears its so so painful.
last night i cried everytime i fed her and felt like giving up untill i changed her nappy and noticed her poos changed which made me feel like the pain was worth it cause she must be getting something.

i dont know what i can do to fix it, it feels like my nipples are just to big for her tiny mouth... prob a silly thing to say i know but... yeah.

help?

 

[sparkle]

When I first started feeding Cormack he didnt feed well on one side either. I think it's quite common. All I can say is keep trying. I tickle his chin to encourage him to open up wide. He does feed really well now. Good Luck!!!

 

[masi]

I had this problem with Seth. Have you tried lansinoh nipple cream?? I used it loads, and it really eased the pain. Also when your milk comes in it really helps, because their latch seems to improve, and it's a lot less painful. You could also try cabbage leaves on your breast. Thats supposed to be really soothing.
Chin up, in a day or 2 it will all get easier, and you'll be glad you stuck it out.

 

[Dizzy321]

when trying to breastfeed my son he would not latch on properly no matter which position i tried, i was advised to use nipple shields which worked well but i think they are a last resort, not sure what advise i can give

 

[marley2580]

Try sandwiching your breast between your fingers to help her get more of the breast, she'll get the hang of it soon enough. Congratulations by the way.

 

[hypnorm]

i agree with the nipple shields, ewan would latch fine on one side but not the other and i used the shields untill the engorgement went down and he had learnt how to latch on properly. i can understand what you mean though with the pain... its toe curling at times!!

 

[Mervs Mum]

everything I'd say has been said - hang in there Molly - it is painful but you'll both get better. it really is just a case of gritting your teeth. Lansinoh is brilliant. x

ps I have the worlds longest nipples!!

 

[sam#3]

I know what you are going through, Harry had tongue tie when he was born and for the first 3 weeks he has been feeding with his gums!! OUCH!!!
My nipples were cracked and blistered and bleeding, i was close to giving up until my midwfe suggested kamillosan and nipple shields for a few days and this did help to relieve it.
Stick with it, it does get easier with time and you will be so pleased if you keep going. Good luck hun and congratulations xx

 

[PeanutBean]

Byron would only latch on one side so now my right nipple is kid of tender. Today he's decided not to latch properly and chewed on my nipple a bit no matter how many times we tried to re-latch. You could try different position - this worked for getting him to latch properly on the left boob. You can try and rugby tackle her under your arm, round your side, so that she faces the opposite way on the boob, or I found resting Byron a bit on my knees (still holding him along his body) with his face a little more upwards than normal helped get him on to the left. The body position does seem to do a lot for how the baby opens up their mouth and how well they latch.

I know what you mean about the sore nipples but just wanting to see a good feed even if it wrecks! I'm sure you will both get the hang of it soon. Byron and I have improved a lot over the past week but we are both still learning and have lots of ups and downs.

 

[Uvlollypop]

things are a bit better today, ive been laying on the nipple cream thick gritting my teeth and curling my toes lol i think my boobs were too full?? i hand expressed some off in the end and she latched much better and she now has brilliant bright yellow poo so i must be doing something right after all!! :-D

 

[Mervs Mum]

Well done girlies!! It's tough to start with but once you get going you wont look back. xx

 

[XKatX]

Well done Molly! I still find that if my boobs are full, I have to hand express a little before he will take it. Onwards and upwards now hun!! x x

 

[hypnorm]

well done!

 

[Jemima]

things are a bit better today, ive been laying on the nipple cream thick gritting my teeth and curling my toes lol i think my boobs were too full?? i hand expressed some off in the end and she latched much better and she now has brilliant bright yellow poo so i must be doing something right after all!! :-D

Excellent. Isn't it amazing how proud one can be of a baby's pooh!

 

[clairebear]

well done molly and faith sounds like faiths getting the hang of it x x

 

[Samantha675]

wonderful hun! sounds like you are doing a great job.

 

[Uvlollypop]

we are really getting there now, we got through last night without any screaming just on and off the boobie. i managed to leak everywhere during amys school play much to james's amusement. much more positive now thank you!

 

[xXhayleyXx]

we are really getting there now, we got through last night without any screaming just on and off the boobie. i managed to leak everywhere during amys school play much to james's amusement. much more positive now thank you!

Glad to hear things are going great hunny, congrates again on Faith she is a little cutie xx

 

[Lucy&Pard]

Oh wow well done! I still squeeze one boobie into a burger shape when he is being lazy! It does work!

 

[Uvlollypop]

i tried the nipple squeezing thing last night, now she keeps gettin hicups and cant latch doh!

well get there at least its not painfull anymore