so down about feeding :(

[babyv13]

I feel like it's one thing going wrong after another I think my LO has a lip tie - she clicks when feeding (even EBM from a bottle), milk spills out of her mouth when feeding, she starts off latched on ok but then slides off and has a shallow latch which is painful for me and means that she's not always getting the hind milk

who can I see about the lip tie? does anyone have any encouraging words/similar experiences to share?

I really don't want to give breastfeeding up, it's so important to me but I don't know how much longer I can go with being in pain every time I feed her and worrying about whether she's getting the hind milk. every time I change her nappy and it's green my heart sinks I'm only feeding her off my right breast at the moment because I have a crack on the left one that isn't healing due to bad latch so the right one is starting to feel the burn now

 

[babyv13]

will my nipples toughen up enough that the shallow latch won't matter?

 

[SarahBear]

Is there a lactation consultant you can consult with? Breastfeeding should not be painful. You need to get that latch fixed. If it hurts, take her off right away and re-latch until you have it right. I don't know about lip-tie, but that's not the only reason for clicking. Violet used to be a very noisy nurser, but she latched fine, and it wasn't painful.

 

[SarahBear]

will my nipples toughen up enough that the shallow latch won't matter?

No! It will just be painful for you and your child won't be nursing as efficiently as she could be. There is no reason to put up with a shallow latch. Putting up with a shallow latch will put you at a greater risk of weaning early.

 

[babyv13]

Is there a lactation consultant you can consult with? Breastfeeding should not be painful. You need to get that latch fixed. If it hurts, take her off right away and re-latch until you have it right. I don't know about lip-tie, but that's not the only reason for clicking. Violet used to be a very noisy nurser, but she latched fine, and it wasn't painful.

I do that but she just keeps sliding to shallow again and then eventually won't go back on and falls asleep, I think that's why she's not getting the hind milk. I'm not sure about lactation consultants, I goggled and nothing came up for my area. I went to a BFing support group on monday and the staff nurse helped me but even doing what she showed me has the same results, she starts off latched on ok then it becomes shallow

 

[SarahBear]

Is there a lactation consultant you can consult with? Breastfeeding should not be painful. You need to get that latch fixed. If it hurts, take her off right away and re-latch until you have it right. I don't know about lip-tie, but that's not the only reason for clicking. Violet used to be a very noisy nurser, but she latched fine, and it wasn't painful.

I do that but she just keeps sliding to shallow again and then eventually won't go back on and falls asleep, I think that's why she's not getting the hind milk. I'm not sure about lactation consultants, I goggled and nothing came up for my area. I went to a BFing support group on monday and the staff nurse helped me but even doing what she showed me has the same results, she starts off latched on ok then it becomes shallow

What about your child's pediatrician? Also, remember that if she's used to being allowed to slide into a shallow latch, it will become a habit. I think you just need to be persistent with re-latching the baby. She might get frustrated and she might keep slipping, but I bet she'll get it with practice. I'd also go back to the BF support group.

 

[Maxy1]

What makes you think she has lip tie? have you googled what it looks like? DS had lip tie and would always latch brilliantly at the start but eventually slip off and then would hold on with his gums which really really hurts and led to terrible breast health complications for me.

I saw a lactation consultant every other week for months and they couldn't help us because our latch was fantastic. It took them ages to diagnose lip tie and in the end they only did it because the breast issues I was having were not getting better with any treatment so they did lots of research into what else it could be. The hospital paed missed it and so did our GP. BFing meant a lot to me too and I persevered. Part of the drive was that DS couldn't latch onto a bottle either. I think we bought every type of bottle and teat and it would just spill everywhere.

Once it was diagnosed, we had the lip tie lasered by a dentist and practically instant relief and he became a great little feeder.

 

[babyv13]

that's what my LO does maxy1! so even taking her off is really painful because her gums are wedged around my nipple my nipple is actually a funny shape when I eventually manage to get her off! she has the same problems with a bottle too, she clicks when feeding and a lot of it spills out of her mouth but she is still able to take one thankfully.

my friend suggested it as my LO has a lot of the same 'problems' as hers does and she had a lip tie. I googled and looked at pictures and I really think she has one. after making this thread I spoke to my health visitor and I'm going in tomorrow morning for her and the GP to have a look she had never heard of a lip tie though so I don't know how it'll go to be honest.

I'm expressing and giving her EBM in a bottle now, it's too painful to feed her and it's just causing more damage. the crack on my left nipple won't heal because of the bad latch. she's getting the hind milk now at least!

 

[Maxy1]

That's great that your GP is taking you seriously. Glad you r letting your nipple heal. I persevered and being a first time mum kept thinking the pain must get better (that's what everyone says after all). And then my nipple came off. Like right off. Nowhere to be seen. I guess DS swallowed it. Good news it takes about 8 months but it does grow back. Bad news, it doesn't grow back the same and mine doesn't have any control with milk anymore so when it was full it would just pour the milk out!

My other nipple was very close to coming off and I have terrible scar tissue on that one.

My nipples would go flat and long after a feed with DS and they would be white, almost translucent. And so painful. I got endless mastitis.

What you describe is very similar to what we went through. Combined with your friends account I hope your GP can get treatment for you. Like I said before, quick laser and our bfing relationship for 22 months.

Best of luck

 

[babyv13]

omg maxy! you poor thing you really did persevere didn't you! you must be so proud that you stuck it out after all of that

mine go white as well! and one of my nipples has stayed white at the tip I'm actually a bit worried about that because I don't know what it is

I saw the health visitor on friday and although she had never heard of a lip tie, when I showed her it she agreed that she does have one and the GP came in and had a look and agreed too and I've been referred to the hospital. apparently they don't cut lip ties there though so my appointment is just with the breast feeding clinic and they'll see if there's anything they can do.

she is still getting breast milk even though I'm not actually breast feeding her at least since I stopped BFing her my mental state has improved significantly, I can't even describe the difference in how I feel both emotionally and physically because it was really taking its toll on me. every time she wanted to feed I cried and resented her so much

 

[Nariah01]

yeah that's lip tie, my DS has it too and I am making an appointment with a specialist to get it taken care of. Most don't know about it or know to look for it, same with tongue tie which is why some many people are in pain and just relatching doesn't work. I had lots of people including nurses say the latch was fine, baby is fine, hes gaining weight, and I kept saying no it hurts, he gets fussy and can't stay on, took two months before someone caught it, now we just have to make time to get it taken care of. Good luck!

The shallow latch is caused by him not being able to get his lips around your nipple correctly, so no matter how many times you relatch he will never get it right unless you get it taken care of. I hope you can get it settled soon, and hopefully I can get my DS in soon too, my nipples are white after he eats. Not to mention he pulls back on mine.