Latching question... Help please!

[BurtonBaby]

Hey girls. Well I have a bit of a problem I'm trying to work out with BF'ing. When Erica was born, she had low blood sugar, so they gave her a bottle right at birth, since they were still doing surgery on me, and I couldn't feed. I didn't want her to bottle feed, but they had to get her sugar levels up. Well we were trying nursing the whole time in the hospital, and at times with the help of a lactation consultant, she would do really well. But lately when we nurse, she will latch on at first, and start nursing, then she will take a break, and actually move away from the nipple. She has a hard time latching back on, and gets frustrated, and ends up upset. Is there anything I can do to keep her latched on, or to help her latch easier once she moves away from the breast? It makes it very hard to get through a whole feed, and I'm determined to keep breastfeeding.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[miel]

have no advice ...but i can't believe you are home with her!!!!! it's weird to know for some reason like couples days ago you had her in the tummy and now she is here!!!

 

[Holldoll]

I would definitely call a lactation consultant before you both get frustrated and upset about it. You could also try calling the La Leche League, I've heard they are very helpful!

 

[Samantha675]

hey BB, I would call the La Leche League as well you can find someone near you at www.lll.org

 

[marley2580]

Something which I found helped with the latching on was compressing the nipple area when she was trying to get it in her mouth. It just seemed to make it a bit easier for her. So you lightly pinch just above the nipple with your thumb and finger and guide it into her mouth

 

[beanie]

Something which I found helped with the latching on was compressing the nipple area when she was trying to get it in her mouth. It just seemed to make it a bit easier for her. So you lightly pinch just above the nipple with your thumb and finger and guide it into her mouth

I second this.Cally was the sameand this really helped us. Remember baby is also learning how to feed,it took a few weeks before Cally had the hang of it

 

[Margerle]

This video really helps with the latch and shows in detail exactly what these ladies are suggesting for you:

https://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/FifteenMinuteHelper.html

 

[BurtonBaby]

Thanks girls. I tried kinda pinching the nipple yesterday after I had posted this, and she seems to be doing MUCH better. We have not used a bottle at all since yesterday morning. Most of the feeds she has stayed latched on the whole time, or if she came off, she directed herself right back to the nipple. I'm so proud of my little girl, she's doing amazing. I think a big part of this is just patience, since like you said Beanie, shes just learning too. Thanks so much for your girls help!

 

[mickey]

yeah, that's right, it is a learning process for you and your baby and it takes patience! but if you hang out on it, you and your baby will become champions

might have sth to do with your let down reflex aswell? I had problems with this to start with, as I have a very quick one, so the milk literally shoots in my baby's mouth once she is latching on in the beginning of a feed!

 

[BurtonBaby]

Thanks Mickey. Mine comes out very quickly too. Accidentally shot DH earlier! LOL! Good thing he was a good sport about it. Its still a work in process, but we're definitely getting there.

 

[Suz]

Thanks Mickey. Mine comes out very quickly too. Accidentally shot DH earlier! LOL! Good thing he was a good sport about it. Its still a work in process, but we're definitely getting there.

Im so glad that Erica is learning how to BF.... Welcome home and Congrats again

 

[Holldoll]

I'm glad it's working out better now! I got the number for the LLL leader, so if you need it, let me know and I can pass it on to you.