My 12 week old FINALLY decided to nurse..help!

[lilzippy59]

My whole pregnancy I was looking forward to nursing, but it didn't happen the way I envisioned. Fast forward to today: My son turned 12 weeks yesterday and he's currently being fed expressed milk in a bottle, with the occasional bottle of formula a few times a week. I've tried to get him to nurse but it just doesn't happen.

I made the decision to attempt to nurse before every feeding for the entire week this week. If he didn't take then I'd stop hoping so much. I'd still try, but I'd stop hanging out to a near impossible dream. I would just continue pumping and if at some point he took to nursing, great. If not, well then that's okay too.

Much to my surprise as soon as I put him to the breast Monday morning he latched on! I tried not to get too excited because he had done this before, but didn't last more than 5 minutes. He actually stayed on for at least 10-15 minutes AND let me switch sides. He did this several times yesterday, and has done it 3-4 times so far today.

Here are my questions:

I don't think he's latching on correctly as it hurts like crazy when he nurses. I try to make sure he gets enough in his mouth, but I'm still trying to learn everything all over. Could it be I'm just not used to the feel of nursing since I've been pumping so much? Or is it most like an incorrect latch? I will see a LC about this, but wanted to get some opinions in the meantime.

Secondly, for some reason I cannot find a comfortable position to nurse in. I use a boppy but it still feels awkward. I'm also rather well endowed so it gets tricky trying to manuever and whatnot. Will this come in time? At this point I can't even fathom trying to NIP and/or discreetly!

Lastly, how do you know if your LO is even getting anything? During one session I could hear him swallow, and he spit up a tiny bit after another, so I'm assuming he's getting something. But I'm wondering if he's just comfort sucking at this point. I honestly don't think he's the type of baby to continue sucking without some type of reward (i.e. Milk) but you never know. He'll often nurse himself to sleep but will wake up if I move him to get up and will still be hungry. If he pops off while nursing he'll get himself back on.

Okay, I lied. This is the last question. If he does continue to nurse how can I transition him from the bottle? Do I just not offer him one anymore? I've been pumping after he finishes and it seems like I'm getting an ounce less than normal. I've been pumping my normal times, though I've been offering him the breast first if he seems hungry.

I guess I really just don't know how to go about all this now. I didn't think this day would ever actually come so now I'm kind of lost lol. Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks!

[by-the-lake]

Wow, this is great! Glad you are going to see a LC! They can assess your latch. From you description, it sounds incorrect. Sometimes its so relieving just to get a latch, you feel you should take what you get. (Done it!) Does he open nice and wide before latching? Does he "walk up" you nipple, meaning he takes your nipple and scooches up while sucking? Ouch. Hearing swallowing and seeing a bit of spit up is reassurring. You can also assess intake by wet and dirty diapers. Not sure on a 12 week old, but someone here or a LC could tell you. And I would suggest no more bottles, letting him nurse, nurse, nurse. And yes, positioning can be tricky. Give yourself time!
Great job for both of you. Let us know how things go.

[hcaruso]

This IS AWESOME!

Yes, your latch sounds incorrect. My first son only nursed for three weeks. I just realized (8 yrs later) with my second that I was latching him on wrong. Don't think too much into it... what I did this time was hold my fingers like a sideways peace sign (as if I were showing someone how to cut with scissors). Then I would grab just above the top of the nipple, and a little further below.. sooo many people try to shove too much breast into their mouth. There are videos on youtube. Also, the only position that works for me is belly to belly because I am a 38 F. I can do side lying but prefer not to as I may fall asleep.
You will know if he does not get enough... he'll suck on his hands perfusely and get irritable. If he seems satisfied, he is. If he lets go of it, he's done... same as with a bottle.
I nurse in public and its all but descrete!
Don't give him the bottle for a little while....then if you need to, give it back....he doesn"t seem to have nipple confusion. Don't let him latch himself on without your help... it hurts. there are youtube videos on proper latch... i like this one.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oQHe1eYsnE
Good luck!!!!

[rivkah]

I am not sure if the latch is correct or not, but I do know that you can be a bit sore for a couple of days while that nipple is stretching out.

As for position, it can be hard at first. Experiment, experiment, experiment. I prefer laying down. Give it a couple of weeks and everything will be much easier!

[simplelife15]

When I took my bf'ing class while I was pregnant, and after our DS was born the nurses all told me (and has been said here already too) not to let the baby latch on without your help. My experience was that the more help I tried to give DS the more pain I was in and the more frustrated and fussy he got. After a few weeks I finally realized that if I trusted that he knew what he was doing and let him go at it he latched on correctly much more quickly, was less frustrated, and my pain was gone (and nipples healed) within a couple of days.

Certainly check your latch with an LC, but thought I'd share another POV.