Latching Issues

L.,

It sounds as though you are doing everything right. Are you feeding her every three hours? I ask because she may be getting tired and overhungry and as such cannot really focus on what she is doing. Have you tried any alternate positions, like the football hold, or lying down with her side by side? Is she gaining weight normally? Would also try making sure she gets the whole nipple and part of the areola, not just the tip of the nipple. Good Luck to You!

Have you tried a nipple shield made by medela? They sell them at babies 'r' us by the breast pumps. It really helped me and helps with the soreness.

J.

have you seen or talked to a lactation specialist? i went to the barbara greenspun center on gv pkwy and they were wonderful there... no charge. good luck.

Latching on issues are so frustrating! :o) My last two babies had the same issue. I've tried varied positions. The football hold worked well on my son until he got the general idea and the laying down side by side helped my little girl. I've ALWAYS had to help them out with their mouthes. For some reason they just wont open those cute little mouthes wide enough for feeding time. I assist them by putting my thumb on their chins and softly yet firmly pulling down. Then I adjust their lips (flattening them out so that their lips aren't bent/curled under)around the areola. I have also used a Boppy (nursing pillow) which has worked wonders for me. I know some people do not like them, BUT for my babies who had trouble latching on, it freed up my arms (they can get pretty tense from holding on and trying to adjust them) and allowed me to relax, the baby to relax AND it helped my back! Good luck, I do so love nursing and applaud you for what you are doing for you and your baby!

My daughter's first pediatrician had these helpful hints:

Put some of your expressed breast milk in a bottle. While your baby has the nipple in her mouth, dribble a little of the milk onto the nipple area so she gets a little taste of it. She should latch on. If she is not actively sucking, then continue to dribble the breast milk from the bottle.

Take a nipple and place it over your nipple. The baby should be able to attach to that nipple. Once she has started to get some milk, remove her, then remove the nipple and try to see if she will latch on.

Sit the baby with her legs hanging over your leg facing you. Take the baby by the base of the neck and put her mouth over your nipple. (*I know, it sounds weird but this was the way my daughter learned how to latch on and since I had her cesarean, it was easier on my stomach.) She should get the milk better because she is sitting up and gravity helps getting the milk to her tummy.

Hope those hints made sense.