So frustrated!

My baby was born 2 weeks ago and has been doing awesome nursing that first week. Now she won't latch on very well and I'm getting so unbelievably frustrated. A little background, sorry if TMI- one of my nipples is flat and the other is pretty normal but still small. She does FINE on the flat side, at least it doesn't hurt me. I would think she'd do fine on the side that actually has a decent nipple sticking out but no.

She'll latch on fine and then drop the latch so that she's just on the nipple and doesn't have aerola in her mouth anymore. I un-latch her and start over again... over and over and over again until I finally just give up and move her to the other side. And honestly she's not getting a decent mouthful on the flat side either but it doesn't hurt at all. Arg!

How can I get her to get a decent mouthful? I've been gently pulling down on her chin but that isn't very effective. Help!!!

[PamelaBee]

I have heard nipple shields are a huge help for babies with a poor latch, and Moms that have flat/inverted nipples, but I can't comment on how well they work.  I can certainly understand your frustration!  Have you seen a lactation consultant yet?  They can be extremely helpful and will show you tips to help your baby latch on.  Best wishes!

[tiredbuthappy]

i had to actually pinch and pull out my nipple a bit before trying to latch dd. or, i'd kinda blow on it or put a cool rag on it to get it kinda erect before trying. don't give up- it's not a problem anymore now that my boobs are softer. keep trying, and if she doesn't latch that side, be sure to pump it. Which reminds me- when it was really flat i used to pump to draw it out. That always worked after a couple of s.ucks on the pump. The other thing that worked was trying a different position. A lot of times i couldn't get her to latch in any position but football hold. for some reason it works, i think because i can guide her mouth up and over the nipple, then down onto it.

[jenkaye21]

I had similar problems.  
I used a nipple shield and had much success with it.  Sometimes, after using the shield for a few minutes, I could remove it and he could nurse on his own.  But mostly I used it all the time.  

It was inconvenient in that I *always* had to know where it was and have it with me or I couldn't nurse.  (versus just having your boobs with you, LoL), And being a small, clear, plastic piece, I was always losing it and panicking.  Should've definitely had more than one but didn't know where to get one.  The one I had was from the hospital from my previous son.

[tiredbuthappy]

fyi- i've seen them in baby stores by breastfeeding accessories

when i used one, i learned to keep it in a small tupperware. I have a special diaper bag with all my bf stuff in it (pads, lanolin, snacks, burp cloths, etc...) that i keep near by so i have everything i need when i nurse. I kept it in the gladware in the bag. Whilei was using the shield, i kept the container open next to me so when i removed it i didn't lose it. i had lost a few before learning this trick :)

[JoyRenee]

I completely forgot I asked this question here!

So after I typed this and went to feed the baby I decided to try a different position on my left side. I read a few posts and a lot of suggestions were to put baby into different positions, like the football hold. So I did that and I am NOT sore anymore!!! Woo hoo! For some reason the cross-cradle hold just wasn't working on that side.


P.S. I've used the shield with my other two daughters and that is how breastfeeding failed with them because it is a temporary device and not meant to be used continuously. I was never able to wean them off of it and since the shields can damage nipples after long-term use I ended up formula feeding those two. But I thank you for your suggestion! I understand using it momentarily until the nipple is drawn out but because of the failed attempts with my previous children I just couldn't bring myself to even think about using the shield this time.

[JoyRenee]

And I want to add that at her followup newborn appointment today she has gained ONE POUND in one week!!!!!!!! So she's definitely getting enough to eat. I'm so excited to finally be EBF one of my babies!

[tiredbuthappy]

a pound a week is great!! Both of my girls did that for at least the first 6 weeks. My ped said it was "a bit more than expected" but not a problem. He thought they might have been over-eating. When I mentioned it to my LC she was thrilled. She said that is how breastfed babies are supposed to gain in the beginning, and it slows later on. She said the WHO is redoing their infant growth charts to reflect the expected weight gain of a healthy breastfed baby. In the past, the charts were based on formula fed babies.

Good job Momma!!