1 weeker and problems

[JennTheMomma]

My second son is 1 week, and he only latches onto the nipple. I wait until his mouth gets real wide before trying to latch, and he'll get my areola too, but then he slips to only nipple. I do know he is getting milk since I see it drip down his face and hear him swallow, but being on just the nipple is painful. I do pump as well since he won't take my left breast at all due to neck problems which we are working on, but I want to make sure I keep milk in that breast, so I pump. Any ideas on how to get my baby to not slip onto just nipple?

[pumpkinhead]

Have you seen a lactation consultant at all? If you haven't, I strongly suggest that you consider it.

There are different holds and latching techniques that may be very valuable to you. For example, have you tried the football hold on the breast that he isn't currently taking? Also, the asymetrical latch can be pretty invaluable for a shallow latcher.

It could just be a function of a tiny baby with a small mouth and this is something he'll outgrow. It could also be that he has a high/arched palate. Tongue tie is another possibility, but nothing that you have said outright suggests it. A good IBCLC will be able to evaluate your little guy for all of these issues.

For now, check out these links:

This one is not in english, but it has an animation showing how to get a good asymmetrical latch:

http://users.iptelecom.net.ua/~vylkas/kinolatch.html

Youtube video showing the asymmetrical latch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLDp99T3_6o

Football hold:

http://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme/...video_old.html (look for the video that says "clutch/football hold"

Another good video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpwCl6DSMoA

[greenmomhappymom]

In addition to all the great advice in the PP...maybe a ped chiropractor could help...my DS who is now 4 months favored turning his head to the left, do much so it made it difficult to nurse him on both sides.

We went to our chiro who is a certified for working with babies and with one gently adjustment he was all good.

Just a thought...

[Heba]

Another approach to positioning which you might like to try is Biological Nurturing (or Baby-Led Attachment). These capitalise on baby's latching instincts and may help baby get and keep a good mouthful

See http://www.biologicalnurturing.com/Pages/howtodoit.html and video http://www.biologicalnurturing.com/Pages/bioflash.html (may take some time to load); also http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/bla.html

[jecombs]

My DD used to do the same thing! I couldn't afford a chiro, so we used a nipple shield until her mouth got bigger and she could latch more effectivly. The shields were a PITA, so I don't recommend them unless you really need them. They were definitely a life-saver in our case, though!