Bad latch at 4.5 months

[Millie2]

My DS can't seem to latch properly anymore.  He's not opening his mouth very wide anymore and he's pulling back while pushing the breast with his hands causing my poor nipple to stretch and hurt!!  Why is he doing this and how I can teach him to latch on properly again?  I'm trying to feed him where its quiet and there are no distractions but he isn't feeding for long and then is hungry after only a couple of hours.  Its not wind (he has a funny noise for "I need a burp") or medical (we saw the doctor yesterday).

[Samuel's mum]

A couple of questions:
Does this happen for all feeds or is it worse at a particular time of day?

Are you using bottles or pacis?

There are a couple of reasons why he might be doing it:
...because he can! He's learning how hands work and how to manipulate them. He's exploring his environment.
...It could also be a sign of frustration at a slower letdown or flow confusion if he regularly uses bottles.

I would take him off if you feel he isn't latching properly. Show him a 'big wide mouth' and actually open your mouth to demonstrate and when he copies you move him to the breast superfast.
You could also think about breast compression which is mentioned in the FAQs.

I'll come back to you when you've answered those questions.

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

It could also be teeth - my lo is that age too and she's chewing on everything - including my nipples! 

[daisymelan]

I would take him off if you feel he isn't latching properly. Show him a 'big wide mouth' and actually open your mouth to demonstrate and when he copies you move him to the breast superfast.

As annoying as this can be, ensuring a proper latch is necessary.  I remember with my first lo it would take ages to get him on right... sometimes I would just want to let him nurse while I was in pain because it seemed like so much work to get him back on properly, but in the end, it would have been worse for everyone. 

How long into the feed does he do this or is it immediate?

[Millie2]

Hi

He doesn't have a bottle or paci but he is a thumb sucker.  He seems to be doing it all the time, from the moment I start to feed until he's finished and at every feed.  Its not too painful but sometimes it can be especially when he's really pulling and pushing and my nipple is stretching!  I take him off and wait a short while before going back but he keeps on doing it.  Maybe it is just because he can!

[Samuel's mum]

I think continue to take him off as you are. He will learn that it's not the best way to get milk. Before you know it he will be on to the next thing. Just have your hand behind him to prevent him pulling back too far.

The only other issue is thinking about your schedule overall. If he's not sufficiently hungry he may not be fully motivated to feed. Are you on EASY? What kind of intervals?