A Parenting & kids forum. ParentingBanter.com

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » ParentingBanter.com forum » misc.kids » Breastfeeding
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

latch agony



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old April 26th 07, 06:25 PM posted to misc.kids.breastfeeding
emilymr
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 34
Default latch agony

Hi, all -- I'm starting the nursing saga all over again... I've
got a 4-day old, and while he's certainly getting plenty of milk and
his latch looks OK from the outside, he's giving me really bad cracked
nipples. The latch-on is agonizing and the rest of the session isn't
much better. I'm trying to get him to open up wider, and I think the
real problem is his tongue -- I don't think it's under the nipple.
I've got flattish nipples which makes it really hard for him to get a
good latch; I've been pumping a bit before each session to raise the
nipples and that seems to make it easier for both of us.

My question is will that just make him lazy and rely on the pumped-up
nipples? Or is it OK to do that and hope that in a few days he'll
figure out how to do it himself? And any tips on getting him to open
up wider and get his tongue positioned properly? It's so bad that I'm
actually reluctant to nurse -- toe-curling agony.

Em
mama to Micah, 11/14/04; Shiloh, 4/22/07

  #2  
Old April 26th 07, 09:09 PM posted to misc.kids.breastfeeding
Mary W.
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 80
Default latch agony

On Apr 26, 1:25 pm, emilymr wrote:
Hi, all -- I'm starting the nursing saga all over again...


Congratulations!

I've
got a 4-day old, and while he's certainly getting plenty of milk and
his latch looks OK from the outside, he's giving me really bad cracked
nipples. The latch-on is agonizing and the rest of the session isn't
much better. I'm trying to get him to open up wider, and I think the
real problem is his tongue -- I don't think it's under the nipple.
I've got flattish nipples which makes it really hard for him to get a
good latch; I've been pumping a bit before each session to raise the
nipples and that seems to make it easier for both of us.


It may just be the 'getting used to it' first week. But keep an
eye on it for thrush. With DD1 I had cracked and bleeding
nipples for 3 weeks. We chalked it up to nursing problems,
but once I treated for thrush they cleared up. Especially if
you got antibiotics during labor.


My question is will that just make him lazy and rely on the pumped-up
nipples? Or is it OK to do that and hope that in a few days he'll
figure out how to do it himself? And any tips on getting him to open
up wider and get his tongue positioned properly? It's so bad that I'm
actually reluctant to nurse -- toe-curling agony.


The LC with DD1 showed us how to do some suck training with her.
You put your finger in baby's mouth, nail side down and get him
sucking with the tongue down. We did it frequently to help her get
her tongue down. I used to do it before latching her on. Once
latched on (or while latching on if you are so co-ordinated) a little
pressure on baby's chin might help. You can also get better fish
lips doing that after latching.

DD2 seemed to have a much better latch but I still had the cracked
and bleeding nipples for about a week with her. Ibuprofen before
nursing helped, and the nursing "Soothies" that you put in the
fridge were very nice.

Good luck!

Mary W.

  #3  
Old April 26th 07, 09:21 PM posted to misc.kids.breastfeeding
Anne Rogers[_2_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 339
Default latch agony

My question is will that just make him lazy and rely on the pumped-up
nipples? Or is it OK to do that and hope that in a few days he'll
figure out how to do it himself? And any tips on getting him to open
up wider and get his tongue positioned properly? It's so bad that I'm
actually reluctant to nurse -- toe-curling agony.


I'm surprised you've not experienced this before, this is exactly what
nursing in the early days was like with both mine! It seems to be the baby
struggles to open their mouths, so they don't quite get on first time and
it's owie, labour techniques are really good her, because it does only last
a similar length of time to a contraction! I would rock back and forth,
breath etc. I don't think shaping the nipple for them is backing a rod for
your own back, I did this with both and I don't actually recall whether I
continued to do it, I have vague memories that it must have lasted longer
than very early on, but it was just so natural, as part of unhooking my bra,
I'd grab the nipple too, I very much doubt anyone was aware what I was
doing.

Anne


  #4  
Old April 27th 07, 02:22 AM posted to misc.kids.breastfeeding
Irrational Number
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 306
Default latch agony

emilymr wrote:

The latch-on is agonizing and the rest of the session isn't
much better.


Congratulations on your new baby! The agonizing
latch on sounds normal to me... Both my babies
caused excruciating pain in the first few days
and then less excruciating pain for the first few
weeks. The uterine contractions didn't help, either!

It gets better.

-- Anita --
  #5  
Old April 27th 07, 03:03 AM posted to misc.kids.breastfeeding
Nikki
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 486
Default latch agony


"emilymr" wrote in message
oups.com...
My question is will that just make him lazy and rely on the pumped-up
nipples? Or is it OK to do that and hope that in a few days he'll
figure out how to do it himself? And any tips on getting him to open
up wider and get his tongue positioned properly? It's so bad that I'm
actually reluctant to nurse -- toe-curling agony.


Wow. I'm sorry I was sore and there was some actual pain but nothing
like that and no cracks :grimace: I'm not sure about the pumping part but
my guess is that it would be OK. Once he's bigger and stronger you won't
need to worry about it. I would pop my babies on when they opened their
mouth to cry. Or I'd tickly their chin in the hopes they'd open up. I'd
redo it if I didn't think they were on right. I often had to reach under
and flange out their lower lip.

Good luck and I hope it corrects itself soon!! Congratulations


--
Nikki, mama to
Hunter 4/99
Luke 4/01
Brock 4/06
Ben 4/06


  #6  
Old April 27th 07, 07:27 PM posted to misc.kids.breastfeeding
Sarah Vaughan
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 443
Default latch agony

emilymr wrote:
Hi, all -- I'm starting the nursing saga all over again... I've
got a 4-day old, and while he's certainly getting plenty of milk and
his latch looks OK from the outside, he's giving me really bad cracked
nipples. The latch-on is agonizing and the rest of the session isn't
much better. I'm trying to get him to open up wider, and I think the
real problem is his tongue -- I don't think it's under the nipple.
I've got flattish nipples which makes it really hard for him to get a
good latch; I've been pumping a bit before each session to raise the
nipples and that seems to make it easier for both of us.

My question is will that just make him lazy and rely on the pumped-up
nipples? Or is it OK to do that and hope that in a few days he'll
figure out how to do it himself? And any tips on getting him to open
up wider and get his tongue positioned properly? It's so bad that I'm
actually reluctant to nurse -- toe-curling agony.


The one question I will now always ask in such cases: Is it possible he
could have a tongue-tie? Check his frenulum (the bit of skin joining
the tongue to the floor of the mouth) and see whether it seems to come
too close to the end of the tongue.

In answer to your questions: I can't imagine that pumping up your
nipples is going to make him lazy. Nursing is hard work for him right
now as he's learning a new skill, and it sounds like you're just doing
something to make it easier while he learns - the equivalent of training
wheels on a bike. And the tips I recall for getting babies to open
their mouth wider:

Bring baby to your breast with the *nose*, not the mouth, lined up to
the nipple, as he then has to lean back a bit and open his mouth wider
to take it in.

Try the cross-carry hold rather than the cradle hold. This means that
instead of holding him with the arm that's on the same side as the
breast you're using, you hold him with the other arm, putting the back
of your hand behind his head with your thumb and forefinger spread into
a wide V. This means he can more easily tip his head back a bit, which
helps the mouth to open wider.

Hope that helps,

All the best,

Sarah
--
http://www.goodenoughmummy.typepad.com

"That which can be destroyed by the truth, should be" - P. C. Hodgell

  #7  
Old April 27th 07, 09:21 PM posted to misc.kids.breastfeeding
emilymr
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 34
Default latch agony

On Apr 26, 1:21 pm, "Anne Rogers" wrote:
I'm surprised you've not experienced this before, this is exactly what
nursing in the early days was like with both mine!


Oh, I did -- but it was compounded by Micah having *no* latch, and I
was messing around with SNSs, nipple shells, etc. Plus, I was on some
serious vicodin, and didn't feel much of anything until a few days
later.

It seems to be the baby
struggles to open their mouths, so they don't quite get on first time and
it's owie, labour techniques are really good her, because it does only last
a similar length of time to a contraction! I would rock back and forth,
breath etc. I don't think shaping the nipple for them is backing a rod for
your own back, I did this with both and I don't actually recall whether I
continued to do it, I have vague memories that it must have lasted longer
than very early on, but it was just so natural, as part of unhooking my bra,
I'd grab the nipple too, I very much doubt anyone was aware what I was
doing.

Anne


Em
mama to Micah, 11/14/04; Shiloh, 4/22/07

  #8  
Old April 27th 07, 09:23 PM posted to misc.kids.breastfeeding
emilymr
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 34
Default latch agony

Thanks, everyone -- I'm feeling better about the pumping, and he's
definitely getting better -- my one side is almost healed, and I'm
exclusively pumping on the other (got 4 oz of pink milk this morning
-- ouch). I don't think he's got tongue-tie, since once I switched to
cross-cradle, his latch improved dramatically. Still not great, but
getting better...

Em
mama to Micah, 11/14/04; Shiloh, 4/22/07

 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
latch on problem with twins [email protected] Breastfeeding 6 December 12th 05 02:38 PM
The death agony of the anti-MMR campaign Mark Probert Kids Health 53 November 20th 05 06:10 PM
my new agony aunt website shane mckay Pregnancy 0 April 19th 04 09:16 PM
my new agony aunt website shane mckay Kids Health 0 April 19th 04 09:15 PM
Latch problem, need help CY Breastfeeding 4 September 16th 03 10:03 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:16 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 ParentingBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.