Breastfeeding newbie with problems

[Maddy's Mum]

Oh where do I start??!!!! Our little man - Joshua was born on Monday - uncomplicated and unmedicated delivery - he was not initially interested in the breast for the first day - and just slept, however his tummy woke up on the second day and we have been trying to feed frequently since then. At the end of day 2 my nipples were sore and now at day 5 - they are very sore and have been bleeding. I had a feeling it was all down to latch problems, so contacted a lactation consultant and paid for her to come out then and there on day 3 to help me before it got worse. However, to cut a long story short, I still don't know where we are going wrong with the latch, but I had had to resort to using nipple shield for most of today because they are so sore, which in itself is causing problems because little man is getting confused.

I am finding that Josh often isn't opening wide enough and sometimes, even when I think I have latched him on ok - he starts making a clicking noise when he sucks - which I am guessing isn't good! He is also spending as long as 1.5 hours feeding - which also suggests an ineffective latch to me.

On top of all this - my milk came in full force today, and my breasts are rock hard - I have tried hand expressing and using a pump, but the only thing that stiumulates let down is when Josh is latched on. (I expressed for Mads for 9 months having has problems feeding at the breast with her, so I thought expressing milk wouldn't be a problem for me!)

So many issues!! Can anyone offer me any help/advice!??

Dee
x

[Samuel's mum]

Those first few days are a whirlwind! You sound like you know what you are talking about though. The clicking noise does suggest a latching problem and so does the feed length and poor latching is THE main reason for nipple soreness. You paid for an LC and I'm not sure they really did their job well.  Will you have to pay more for an additional session? I'm not sure you should.
Check out the videos about latching on this site:
http://www.thebirthden.com/Newman.html#Video%20Clips

You say he's not always opening wide enough - that is clearly a/the problem. Don't move him to the breast until you see that gape, then move him really quickly onto the breast. If it doesn't work break him off and try again. It's not uncommon to have to re-latch several times with a newborn - sometimes half a dozen times. I think it would be good to get someone else to have a look. Just one little tip from someone could make ALL the difference. Do you have any experienced friends or family or La Leche League nearby (assuming this LC isn't willling to come and complete)?

Using a shield is obviously better than not breastfeeding but you should try and move off it if you can as it can affect supply. Use the thinnest one you can. Medela make one called a 'contact shield'.

That initially first engorgement won't last - just keep yourself comfortable. Here a few tips.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/engorgement.html#before

Once your latch is sorted then you'll be amazed how things will fall into place. Stand on a box and yell for support - or get your Dh to do it (that's the yelling on the box, not the nursing.)

[rooby-rooby-roo]

Red had a terrible latch for the first few weeks, but i was so adamant that i didn't want mangled nipples again that i set some 'rules'! However long it took, i did not put him to the breast until he gaped wide enough, he would do it eventually but i almost had to 'train' him to do it!! When he did latch i then made sure his lips were turned out, and for the first few weeks i had to turn them out for him. Look at the way he is sucking, i'm sure he will not be sucking effectively for 1.5 hours, as soon as you feel he is not being as effective as he could be with his sucks then break the latch.

Oh and BTW, i expressed loads with Ruby and so expected it to come easily with Red, but it didn't! It took a load of practise!!

Relax hon, you can do this!

[Nicola_G]

Dee,

I feel your pain. Well, I did feel the pain when my lo was the same age. I had a nightmare lactation consultant at the hospital (I was in for a week with c-section) who not only was a witch, but she told me that my lo was not latching on properly and made me unlatch and relatch numerous times at every feed when she was there. I am convinced this is what made my nipples so bad. In the end, once I got home, I solved the problem myself. Firstly, I slathered on lansinoh ointment after every feed. This helped a LOT with the healing. Second, I didn't use shields, I had a few toe-curling days where I was literally sobbing through feeds because of the pain, but I stuck with it because I was committed to continuing to bf.

Finally, I ended up resorting to turning Tyson's lips out for him (bottom lip mainly) as well as physically pushing his jaw open further once he was on the nipple to widen his jaw and improve the latch.

By week 3 ish, he had worked out his suckling style and the nipples had stopped bleeding. But I continued using lansinoh religiously for at least a few months. Helped a lot.

[First Time Mom]

Hi Dee,

Like the last post I would recommend Lansinoh (lanolin cream), it's what made me be able to continue as I and my dd had problems for the first 4 weeks. My dd had a bad latch (didn't open wide enough) so I had to keep taking her off. I made the mistake of pulling her off until I was shown how to de-latch properly and painfree using my pinkie finger insterted into the corner of her mouth so make sure you're de-latching correctly when you have to re-latch her.

[daisymelan]

First off CONGRATS!!!!

Next, I'm likely going to repeat what's already been said, but here goes.

Make sure you relatch until you are certain the latch is correct.  It may take 10 - 15 minutes, but your breasts and baby will thank you.  Goodness knows I would have preferred to sit through the pain of an incorrect latch, but it is worht the effort even if it takes 50 tries to get him on right.

In regards to creams, etc.  I never used one.  All I did was express milk on to my fingers after a feed and rub it on  my nipples and then let it air dry.  I did have some red nipples just from being used as often as they nurse, but I never had bad pain or anything.  I wonder if this will help you or not.

About the nursing for 1.5 hours.  My lo would nurse for an easy 50 minutes at teh beginning.  This was before BW of course.  But I think he used it for to satisfy his suckling need... and if you don't use a paci, that could be what your lo is doing as well.

Please let us know how you make out.

{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}