Problems Latching On

Wow lots of advice! I also had problems with breastfeeding in the first few weeks or more. Sometimes I sucked on a Hershey�s Kiss to help with the pain. Sometimes I had to tickle her lower lip with my nipple to get her to take the nipple. My main problem was not realizing how much nipple she was supposed to have in her mouth; all of my nipple and then some. No wonder I was in pain! I hope things get better for you!

A.

I am a mom of a 4 1/2 month old, I was having a dificult time breast feeding my son. I tried a nipple sheild(made by madela) that I bought from Target. Maybe that might work to get her used to breastfeeding. The child sucks the nipple into the sheild but for them the nipple is like a bottle nipple. Well I hope this helps. Good luck, the struggle is well worth it in the end. I love the quiet time qith my son.

S.,

GOOD FOR YOU! Breastfeeding is the best thing you can do for your new baby. I know it can be frustrating, but you are doing the right thing. Here are a few St. Paul resources you might try:

Healthpartners has a breastfeeding center at the Como Ave. clinic:
http://www.healthpartners.com/portal/256.html

La Leche League meeting times and contacts for St. Paul:
St. Paul Como/Midway Second Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. Erin ____@____.com
St. Paul Metro Third Thursday, 7:00 p.m. Jennifer ____@____.com

United Hospital has a Breast Feeding Resource Center:
http://www.phillipseyeinstitute.com/ahs/united.nsf/page/B...

Here is a website with a list of MN Lactation Consultants (one should be able to visit you at home, rather than at an office)
http://www.breastfeeding.com/directory/states/minnesota.html

You might also check with your pediatrician, they may be able to recommend a lactation consultant who could come to your home. Also, the La Leche League contact person might have a name of someone who could help you too.

Best to you and your sweet baby!

Jess

Samanatha, I just really want to reiterate that La Leche League would be a great resource for you. I know that the gals at my local club (Brooklyn Park) have been great with answering my questions over the phone at frantic times w/baby. Also, I know that some of the club members even camped out with one mom at the hospital to make sure she had a successful nursing experience. So don't wait until the next LLL meeting - I suggest you call whatever contact person is listed for the LLL club nearest to you, tell them your concerns, and ask for whatever immediate assistance they can give you. Some of those members are quite experienced :-) Glad you are attempting to give your baby the best despite all the troubles. Good luck!

Don't give up!!! Try www.lalecheleague.org to find a group that meets near you and a leader to support you. You could also see about finding a postpartum doula w/extra bf experience to come into the home to help-wish i was closer. Good luck! ~~W.

I had the same trouble with both of my children (now 3 and 22mo.) With my son, I just went to pumping and bottle feeding. I pumped for 9 months.
With my daughter, I was determined to breast feed. After 2 weeks of struggling, and mainly bottle feeding, at a well baby visit, I told my Pediatrician about our struggles ( I was worried she was starving, and I was very sore!) The Dr. looked at her tongue and she found that my daughter was very "tongue tied" that little piece of skin from under the tongue to the bottom of your mouth. (There is a medical term for it, but I can never remember it)
At 2 1/2 weeks she had it surgically fixed. At this point my daughter would not nurse anymore, so back to the pump I was. But at least it gave me an explaination.
When my Dr. examined my son, she said that it was very likely that he was also "tongue tied", but it had stretched out by then. For many cases they don't need to do anything, but for some, like my daughter, it would have affected her speech. She was only able to stick her tongue out a little way, and it affected her ability to suck.

This may or may not help, but know that there is another Mom out here wishing you well and understanding how frustrating it can be to struggle with breastfeeding! I wish you and your little girl the best!

Hang in there! My daughter and I STRUGGLED for the first six weeks and I had very very sore nipples - many tears! We gradually figured it out together, but in the rough spots I used a nipple shield to get her latched on and then would try to take it off once I had let down some milk. It took a lot of persistence and I could gradually use it only some of the time to help with my sore nipples and then finally do without it. I think it helped because it was easier for my baby to latch onto in the beginning, but I had to be pretty disciplined to eventually move to just the breast as it was pretty painful still, but I had been told that my milk production might start to slow if it was used over a longer period. We also went for a number of consultations at United in St. Paul with a lactation consultant called Melanie. She was BRILLIANT. I tried with other consultants and it wasn't until I found someone who I could connect with, that it started to work out for us. It definitely took more than one visit and I too had the frustration that everything would go smoothly in the appointment and then at home it was never easy! The lactation consultants at United also have an information line where you can call and leave a message and they will call you back and help figure out a plan. I needed all the help I could get! We're now pro's and my daughter has been so healthy these first 9 months. Make sure you seek out the support you need - it is worth it!

Here's my advice. I'm not a lactation consultant, but have been in private practice as a massage and craniosacral therapist for nine years and was a doula for four years. I was trained in craniosacral therapy by a chiropractor...anyway...I've seen this happen a lot.
Did you have any kind of birth trauma? forceps, vacuum extraction, pushed an excessive amount of time, c-section. Was her neck cranked on at all during the delivery? All of these put tremendous stress on the babes cranial bones and spinal cord. If there is a subluxation (vertebrae out of alignment or cranial bone healing incorrectly), there is likely to be nerve impingement and if so, she is not comfortable. So, first stop giving her the bottle at all when you're around her-only offer the breast. If at all possible, try a sleep in. Take a couple days off and do nothing else but lay in bed with her where the breast is offered to her, nothing else. Seriously, this works. Reconnect with her.
The other is have her checked by a chiropractor. Is she favoring one side or another? Does she always have her head turned one way while sitting in bouncy seats, swings, car seats or laying on the floor? Will she attempt to nurse in one position over the other. If she is not comfortable she will go on what little reserve she has and won't eat. The bottle is much easier to suckle from, they don't have to work as hard and it's hard to train them off it, but it can be done.
IF she's uncomfortable due to a subluxation, the bottle doesn't solve anything other than feeding her (which is obviously important).
That's my suggestion; find a chiro near you--Carol Lipschultz is one in St. Paul, though I can't think of her name. Another is Tammy Sukup of Langford Chiropractic near Highland Park and St. Kate's off of Cleveland. Tammy is young, wonderful, gentle and won't do anything that's not necessary. I highly recommend her.
Nichi Hirsch
Healthy Beginnings
MyHealthyBEginning.com

Hi. I had a similar problem. My son wouldn't latch on, and my milk supply was low. One trick that I really liked was using this thing called the SNS system. I think it's sold by Medela. It's basically a bottle (filled with formula or breast milk) that you hang around your neck. There are two thin tubes coming out of the bottle that you tape to your nipples. Voila! Once my son was latched on properly, I could turn off the formula flow to the capillary tubes, so he would be getting milk from my breasts. I'm sure it helped with my let-down. I used the system for about a month, until I was confident he could nurse without it. However, it's not something you can easily use at night.

I know breast-feeding is incredibly difficult and painful at the beginning (at least it was for me), but all I can say is if it's something you really want, stick with it. It's an incredibly rewarding experience (it just takes some time).

I had this problem to an extent. My daughter had trouble latching on and it created cracked/sore nipples. I ended up using a nipple shield and it worked great. I used it for a few months and would try periodically without it. One day she just decided that she didnt need it anymore. She latched on really good after that. If you have any questions let me know. B.

How frustrating! All I can say is be persistant! If breastfeeding is really something you want to do you have to keep your head in it for the trying parts...and there are some. My first daughter was in the NICU for a week and used to bottled milk by the time we got her home so it took a month of adjusting before she was fully on the breast. If it helped to talk to the consultant, call, call, call again. Maybe even see if she can come to the house and you could video tape how you did everything when sweet baby did latch on, maybe there's one little thing you're missing that totally slipped your mind. They don't mind helping if it gets you breastfeeding successfully. I'm coming up on 1 year with my second daughter and I wouldn't trade a day of it! Somedays are frustrating even after everything is going well. It's an incredible thing you'll never be able to go back for. Also if your hospital offers a breastfeeding class see if you can take it yet, they make a world of difference. You do need support though, we're all here for you if it help!

Good Luck hope it all goes well for you!

Hi S., I don't really have any additional resources to share with you, but I did want to share the best advice I ever got about breastfeeding: "Don't quit on your worst day." I also had some struggles when my daughter was first born and seriously doubted whether it was worth the effort, but sure enough, it DID get better and we made it through that first year.

I'm no lactation consultant, but another suggestion I can think of is to maybe pump for a few minutes beforehand so that you have a letdown on the side she's feeding from - if your daughter has been drinking out of bottles, she's probably used to the instant gratification from a bottle and may not like the fact that she has to do a little bit of work to drink directly from you. She might not realize that MILK comes out of this thing that you keep trying to put in her mouth. :)

Also, sometimes giving yourself permission to quit if you need to (but not on your very worst day!) can take some of the pressure off. I hope that you're able to keep breastfeeding though. It sounds like you're really determined to make it work and I hope you can find the type of support you're looking for.

here is a website to the la leche league. Their main goal is to support mothers with issues on breat feeding. Good Luck!
http://www.laleche.org/home_intro.html

Hi S.,

My name is S. and I am a first time mom with a five month old daughter that I also breastfeed. I work full time so I know the struggle with pumping and nursing. My daughter gets confused sometimes and cries at the nipple, there is nothing worse. What I have tried to do is nurse her when she's a little sleepy and not to hungry. Also take off your shirt, bra, her shirt, etc., get that skin to skin contact. If that doesn't work try to warm up a bottle and feed her a little right next to your nipple and then sneak your nipple in there. I really hopes this works for you. Have a good day and good luck!

I feel your pain. I very much wanted to become a Lactation Specialist, so I studied about it ALOT and with practice, it truely is a skill that needs practice. My concern for you is if you don't get her to latch properly, your milk production will slow. There is something specific about the baby's mouth that massages the nipple in such a way that pumps never duplicate. That massage on the nipple, produces the chemical reaction in your body called Prolactin, which causes a mother to lactate and produce milk. If you continue down this path, you will see your milk supply lowered, and you will eventually have to go to formula. Most mothers notice a reduction after returning to work. This is proven due to an increase in pumping, rather than suckling from the baby, again, the massage is missing so you're boobs...they kind of start thinking for themselves and produce less. I would try different positions, or the shield that another reader suggested. Also,...make sure you're not using lotions, soaps or perfumes on or near your breasts, that can often deter an infant from eating. Many people don't realize that a stressed mother is often not able to let milk down. Perhaps, if you're stressed, the baby has to sit there and suck, without receiving any milk, and they often fall off or refuse to try again if they don't think they are going to get the milk. It's a natural survival instinct to suck only when it produces results. So,...try hard to relax before you nurse. Or,...try pumping a little until you feel your let-down. Then, the milk will be flowing and the infant will be eager to latch on. Good luck...and don't give up yet. It's hard, but it truely is the best for the baby and you, as you know, otherwise you wouldn't have chose it.

Hi S., I know you've gotten a lot of good advice, but I just wanted to add my story. :)

I have 2 sons...when my first was born, he was low birthweight and had a lot of medical problems. He spent a week in the NICU and with all of that, didn't have the energy to nurse. Once he was home, he preferred a bottle (easier for him I guess) so I pumped every meal for about a month...that was ROUGH!! Eventually I just couldn't keep up and switched to formula...I felt HORRIBLE about it at first but got over it. :) He's now a healthy 5-year-old.

With my 2nd, he was a good, healthy weight when he was born, but had latching problems. He would get frustrated so easily if he couldn't latch on right away, and start screaming (he's still like that when he doesn't get his way!!)...and he wasn't latching on properly. I tried to get help with lactation consultants--and it was the same thing. With them there, it would work; at home, it didn't. I felt very inept. I was also cracked and bleeding--NOT fun!! I almost gave up MANY, MANY times! I was so sore I just cried. I did try a nipple shield, and that helped, so did using Lanolin(?) cream or whatever it's called. I also pumped to make sure he was getting food--I remember one time, on 1 side, there was more blood in the bottle than milk I think! (Sorry if I just grossed anyone out!!)

Anyway, I hung in there, and am glad that I did....however...he'll be 2 next month, and now I can't get him to STOP nursing!! I've got him down to pretty much just before bed (and sometimes before nap) and when he wakes up in the morning, but I don't know how to wean him! I never had any of these issues with my first. So, if anyone has weaning advice...I'd love to hear them!

Sorry this is so long-winded! Good luck!! And whatever happens, you love your daughter and you'll both be ok (even if you have to turn to formula).
~S.

I had problems nusing my first child too. I ended up pumping for 6 months then transitioning to formula during the sixth month. It was not always a pleasure to pump but I feel it was worth it. Something you could try would be to pump until you have let down then try latching on-I've heard that bottle fed babies get used to getting a lot of milk quickly from the bottle so they get frustrated when nursing becuase it takes a minute for let down/reward. Good luck!

Hi S.,
My daughter had lots of problems latching on and then she would always fall asleep while nursing. So the lactation consultant gave me some nipple sheilds to use. I was about ready to give up too but right around 2 month old she just suddenly caught on. And now she is 11 months old and does so good at nursing. I found that lying down with her next to me in the bed worked great. I would start her off with the nipple shield and then take it off and after many attempts she finally caught on. I applaud your wanting to continue to breastfeed. i would try laying her next to you in bed and then try the nipple sheild. It is more like a bottle nipple and they seem to do good with it. good luck.
J.

S., it is so hard to sort through all the advice given. My best recommendation for you is to contact a local La Leche League leader (you can find one in your area through the website www.lalecheleague.org). LLL had been helping breastfeeding moms worldwide for 50 years. Its all about moms helping other moms.

I will say this, of my own. Breastfeeding has been the best thing I could have done for both myself and my son, now 8 months. Don't give up. The first couple weeks/month is really hard. The following ... however long you both decide to keep up the relationship is Wonderful!

I would advise against nipple shields. Never used them myself. One of the women in my LLL group did use them for inverted nipples and had quite a struggle to wean her son off of them. They did continue nursing, but the less fighting about it, the more satisfying.

Also, try other nursing positions. The "football hold" is really easy to accomplish with newborns. Lay a pillow beside you, lay baby on pillow, offer breast - like you're carrying a football. Also, nursing laying down worked really well for us.

Really, get in contact with La Leche League. Its totally non-profit and is there to be an outlet for moms to help other moms.

All that said, the hardest thing, and the most important thing you need to do is to RELAX. your baby can *feel* your tension. This is the biggest "mommy skill" - to relax when baby is screaming, but you must.

1st of all-you are doing a great job! It is hard work to pump and for everyone to learn to breast feed. Be proud of the milk you have given your daughter. Look into La Leche League-they have support groups in just about every neighborhood, go to their website. You can actually hire postpartum doula's to come to your house as well. A postpartum doula is very skilled in helping out with breastfeeding, they can spend the night and help with each feeding. It sounds like that might be a good option for you, then they could watch how things are going as you are in the comfort of your own home. It sounds like you need to relax ( I know, easier said than done) Your daughter probably senses your anxiety and that makes everything more difficult. But hang in there, don't give up just yet You definitely have hope. Unfortunately I don't know a postpartum doula personally but I'm sure you could do a search. Start with the Childbirthcollective.org and also doulanetwork.com, you should find some good info and links. Good luck :)

R.,
mom to 1 year old daughter who was breast fed for 8 months with many struggles along the way, but all worth it.

Have you tried a nipple shield? Your lactation consultant should be able to help you with it. It is plastic so it may feel like bottle to her.