Things to try when latching on isn't working...

[asacia]

Wondered if you ladies could help me compile a list of things to try to overcome latching problems.

DS is seven weeks old, and I'm going to have to give up expressing soon, and go on to formula. Before I do this, I want to make sure that I really have tried everything possible. I'd love to breastfeed, so hopefully I've missed something magical that might help us!

Tried:
Large silicone nipple shields
Skin-to-Skin
Self Attachment
Help from different breastfeeding counsellors
Feeding when sleepy
Feeding when not very hungry
Feeding when very hungry
Feeding when engorged
Expressing before feeding
Manual expression into mouth to get him interested

Positions Tried:
'Normal'
Rugby Ball
Lying down
Flat on lap without being held (breastfeeding cushion)
Lying down, from above

To Try:
Small silicone nipple shields
Feeding in the bath
Using a teat as a nipple shield (very old fashioned!)
In the bath
Get checked for tongue-tie

 

[Sarahkka]

The tongue-tie was my problem, asacia, and it made a huge difference. Like I've mentioned before, I didn't get this diagnosed until Simon was 7-8 weeks, so my milk supply was a lot lower than I realized. We corrected the tongue tie, but I needed lactation meds and supplemental feeding to get Simon back on track with weight gain.
I was also told to get him to practice sucking by putting my finger towards the roof of his mouth and geting him to push it down and latch on to it. That might help?
Good luck!

 

[asacia]

HV is coming on Monday to check for toungue-tie. I'd be so happy if there was a fixable reason behind our struggles. Fingers crossed.

 

[Sarahkka]

The doc who identified Simon's snipped it right there and then. It's a really minor procedure, even if it doesn't sound like it. For a couple of days after, Simon was sticking his tongue out as far as it would go and wiggling it around. It was like he was figuring out all the new things he could do with it now! His tongue-tie was fairly mild, but it felt pretty dramatic with his latch and suck. If your baby's is more pronounced, it could be night and day. Here's hoping!

 

[Mervs Mum]

You sound to have tried most things so my advice would be to repeat your list. Just because you've tried and not succeeded doesnt mean it wont work a while later iykwim. x

 

[Jelly Bean]

Kudos to you for your patience. I would've given up before I was halfway through your list!