Help! DS's latch has changed and it's hurting me!

[sf333]

Mods, please feel free to move this if it is better suited for one of the subforums here.


In the last 3 or 4 weeks, 21 month old DS's latch has changed dramatically. I am 17 weeks pregnant and am wondering if my preg. is impacting his latch. However, for several months now, he has nursed only about 2 times a day and when he nurses, he doesn't get much milk, it's more of a comfort nurse.

When he nurses, he has a shallow latch and I often have teeth marks on me afterward. He's not biting per se; I'm not sure if he's holding the nipple with his teeth or if there's another reason for the teeth marks - but either way, it hurts. At times, I can feel his teeth while he's nursing. Some nursing sessions are more painful than others. Is there anything I can do to improve his latch? I'm beginning to dread nursing him because of this.

[Katie T]

Is it the same sensation in say the sitting up position and the laying down position? Is he getting any teeth? My nurslings always have there latch slightly "off" when they are getting teeth. Id say try different positions and check for new teeth trying to work there way in. Otherwise I think on it and come back if I can think of anything else helpful.

[mommajb]

You could try getting him to open his mouth wide by just asking him to do so? Then if you can roll him on chin first you might be golden. On the other hand at this age his cooperation might not be forthcoming. Some soreness during pregnancy is hormonal.

I hope you are feeling more comfortable soon.