Help a new mama please!

[expat-mama]

This is kind of long, but please take a moment to read through it if you can!
I need all the help I can get.

DS is almost 7 weeks old and we've had a rocky road with breast feeding from the start. Every one kept saying to stick with it and it will get better- and it does sometimes, but it seems as soon as we overcome one challenge another one comes up or we're back at the same old stuff again. I'm so frustrated and I am really starting to hate breastfeeding. I really, really, really want to continue breastfeeding DS for at least his first year but right now when I think about doing it for just a few more months I want to cry.

Like I said, we've had a bunch of problems right from when he was born- it took him 3 and a half weeks to get back up to his birth weight and he's finally gaining at a steady rate now so I try not to worry about that any more. We started out with major problems with his latch and positioning. I saw a LC and she helped with the latch but I still struggle with positioning and some problems with latching on. I feel really uncoordinated and uncomfortable breastfeeding- the LC said it would just take time and practice. But we still can only nurse (awkwardly, I might add) using the crossover hold or sometimes sidelying. I've seen the LC a bunch of times, but I feel like her help only gets us so far. As soon as we get home it's a struggle again.

That was over a month ago and not much has changed- except now for some reason DS will not open wide enough when I offer my right breast (problem #1). This has been happening for almost 2 weeks and now my right nipple is so sore that I've not really able to feed him on that side for a couple of days, so I've been pumping it. I'm worried the supply is dwindling though.

How can I get him to open wider? Waiting for him to open, tickling his upper lip squirting milk in his mouth, trying to get him to mimic me with a wide open mouth, gently pushing down his chin- nothing has been working. He does fine with the other side.
I'm not sure, but I'm guessing this has something to do with the forceful letdown I've been having on the right side (problem #2). I *think* it's forceful letdown, but it doesn't seem that different from the left side, so I'm not sure. I've tried a bunch of things to help with that too, to no avail- expressing milk after let down, reclining positions (couldn't do it) etc.

Another reason I'm just at the end of my rope is that our nursing sessions are soooooo LONG (problem #3). He will nurse for forty-five minutes to an hour and half each time. He falls asleep and is just plain slow. I'm not sure if I'm misreading his cues and keeping him at the breast too long after he is finished or if he is not actually finished. When I take him off the breast he just wants back on in 5 or 10 minutes. It doesn't seem like it is for "comfort sucking" either. When he isn't hungry but just wants loving, he is easy to comfort and soothe. I gave up nursing at night a little while ago and give him expressed milk in bottles because the nursing sessions were so long I wasn't getting any sleep because he was so sleepy and slow. When I give him bottles he drinks them much more quickly and is satisfied for much longer.

I often think it would be so much better for both of us if I were just pumping exclusively. We'd both get more sleep, he'd be eating better and wouldn't get so upset fussing about letdown and not being satisfied. I wouldn't spend so many hours continually nursing him and not getting anything else done, my right nip wouldn't feel like there's shards of glass in it and I wouldn't feel so guilty and incompetent all the time.

If anyone has any suggestions for the problems I've listed above, please, please let me know!

[tibeca]

Have you tried contacting a LLL Leader? Your problems seem pretty involved, and it also sounds like you need someone to vent to. I think a Leader would be your best bet (and they help for free )

[neonalee]

Hey expat-mama! As you know this is all new to me too, but I'm going to tell you what came to my mind. If he's at the breast that long but still hungry, is he really getting anything in that time? Here's why I say that: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=...tion&Itemid=17

Read the paragraphs after the reasons. I think we are having that issue over here. I think I found that link here in fact, there's a lot of good info and videos on that site.

I am also having some trouble with Aden opening wide enough at times, so I hope someone has some advice there! Please dont give up yet, there are still other things to try!

[texasfarmom]

I am no expert at bfing, but I would like to offer a suggestion to try to get Baby to open wider. Try to position DS a little farther from the nipple so that he has to reach with his top lip to get latched on.

Also, do you nurse on cue or a schedule? I don't think this was clear from your post (sorry if it was). Could him nursing for such long periods have something to do with the schedule you use to nurse?

Like I said, I'm not an expert, but HTH!

[texmati]

An LC or other support may be hard to find in Dubia, but perhaps post on FYT for a recommendation.

Originally Posted by expat-mama

This is kind of long, but please take a moment to read through it if you can!
I need all the help I can get.

DS is almost 7 weeks old and we've had a rocky road with breast feeding from the start. Every one kept saying to stick with it and it will get better- and it does sometimes, but it seems as soon as we overcome one challenge another one comes up or we're back at the same old stuff again. I'm so frustrated and I am really starting to hate breastfeeding. I really, really, really want to continue breastfeeding DS for at least his first year but right now when I think about doing it for just a few more months I want to cry.

s I know it's tough, but it's true. BF didn't really become enjoyable for me until abt 6 weeks pp, and even then; I rememeber at 3 months finally thinking aaaahhh this is what it's supposed to be like.

Like I said, we've had a bunch of problems right from when he was born- it took him 3 and a half weeks to get back up to his birth weight and he's finally gaining at a steady rate now so I try not to worry about that any more. We started out with major problems with his latch and positioning. I saw a LC and she helped with the latch but I still struggle with positioning and some problems with latching on. I feel really uncoordinated and uncomfortable breastfeeding- the LC said it would just take time and practice. But we still can only nurse (awkwardly, I might add) using the crossover hold or sometimes sidelying. I've seen the LC a bunch of times, but I feel like her help only gets us so far. As soon as we get home it's a struggle again.

Again, sometimes time can help with this. Do you have any props-- nursing pillow, ect that can help you 'recreate' the perfect positioning? As teh baby get's bigger he'll 'help' more and more. My son was born not knowing how to root, and that makes it really difficult, because it's all on you to get the 'pefect' latch. Does your son root for the breast? If not, perhaps stick with crossover hold-- it gives you the most control.

Another tip, have your husband or mom go with you and observe. Have the LC teach them exactly what to look for and how to correct the latch. My LC was really good about showing DH how to do that, and it helped alot once we got home from the hospital. Since he was around most of the evening and nights it was only the day feedings I had to do solo.

That was over a month ago and not much has changed- except now for some reason DS will not open wide enough when I offer my right breast (problem #1). This has been happening for almost 2 weeks and now my right nipple is so sore that I've not really able to feed him on that side for a couple of days, so I've been pumping it. I'm worried the supply is dwindling though.

How can I get him to open wider? Waiting for him to open, tickling his upper lip squirting milk in his mouth, trying to get him to mimic me with a wide open mouth, gently pushing down his chin- nothing has been working. He does fine with the other side.
I'm not sure, but I'm guessing this has something to do with the forceful letdown I've been having on the right side (problem #2). I *think* it's forceful letdown, but it doesn't seem that different from the left side, so I'm not sure. I've tried a bunch of things to help with that too, to no avail- expressing milk after let down, reclining positions (couldn't do it) etc.
It also might be the positioning-- try holding him cross cradle for the 'easy' breast, and foot ball for the difficult one. this way it might look and feel the same from his perspective.
Another reason I'm just at the end of my rope is that our nursing sessions are soooooo LONG (problem #3). He will nurse for forty-five minutes to an hour and half each time. He falls asleep and is just plain slow. I'm not sure if I'm misreading his cues and keeping him at the breast too long after he is finished or if he is not actually finished. When I take him off the breast he just wants back on in 5 or 10 minutes. It doesn't seem like it is for "comfort sucking" either. When he isn't hungry but just wants loving, he is easy to comfort and soothe. I gave up nursing at night a little while ago and give him expressed milk in bottles because the nursing sessions were so long I wasn't getting any sleep because he was so sleepy and slow. When I give him bottles he drinks them much more quickly and is satisfied for much longer.
This may not be teh best advice, but have you tried popping him off the breast after 20 minutes-- and giving him a paci? if he fusses, put him back on. He's old enough that he should give you a hard time if he's hungry.
I often think it would be so much better for both of us if I were just pumping exclusively. We'd both get more sleep, he'd be eating better and wouldn't get so upset fussing about letdown and not being satisfied. I wouldn't spend so many hours continually nursing him and not getting anything else done, my right nip wouldn't feel like there's shards of glass in it and I wouldn't feel so guilty and incompetent all the time.
You can do this, but it's a hard road. There are some excellent threads on the subject if you choose this path!
If anyone has any suggestions for the problems I've listed above, please, please let me know!

It's tough with a new baby even when everything goes well. I jokingly used to call ds mr. badalatchabad (van wilder reference). Laugh about it if you have to. s!Just know that there is no reason that you should feel guilty or incompetent.

On not opening wide-- I used to have my DH come and open his mouth for me the first few weeks if he wasn't cooperation. He just has a small mouth (I think he gets it from MIL:Puke). Even now, I say 'big latch for big milk', and relatch if it's uncomfortable.

[Bubblette]

I'm new at nursing too - but the one thing that really helped when ds wasn't opening wide enough was getting him to latch the best I could then pulling down on his chin. Have you tried adjusting his latch while he's on the breast? for us getting that lower lip rolled out was so hard the first few weeks and pulling his little chin down was less frustrating for both of us than unlatching and re-latching 20 million times.

I second the 20 minutes then paci or finger. I'd give him each breast till he slows down then pop him off and offer a paci- can't hurt to try. DS will continue to root and make like he's hungry if he's near my bare boob even when he's done- he'll get totally fussy and frustrated. I'm sure he'd actually eat after an hour and a hafd again! even if he wouldn't have asked for it himself. Perhaps you're nursing long enough that he's getting a bit hungry again? Cuddling with a paci fills the sucking and cuddling needs for us.

Good luck mama

[HappyMommy2]

Hugs mama. I know this isn't that helpful, but it really does get easier! I didn't like it at six weeks either. But now I am at three years!

The baby's mouth will only get bigger, so that will help too.

I agree with taking him off after 20 minutes. But then I would let him have it again, even if we wanted it 20 minutes later.

My DD would cluster feed like a maniac from like 6pm-11pm. Basically, nursed the whole time. Pop off for a few minutes here and there. But then she would sleep for a few beautiful hours after that.

[Hannah32]

At my bf mom's group, the LC suggested lying the baby vertically along the side of your stomach, sort of holding them with your arm on their side, and having them nurse from the vertical position. It does encourage the extension of the neck, which could help your latch.

I find this position super comfy and it's what we use now, along with nighttime side lying nursing. I don't know if I described it all that well, but I hope it makes sense. It's sort of like side lying, only you can do it sitting up.

[terra-pip]

About positioning...theres no perfect position. Your babe doesn't have to be in a textbook perfect nursing pose. I've nursed laying down with my kiddos on my chest, I've leant over them when I needed a clooged duct emptied. I slouch, I recline, I sit crosslegged on the floor, I walk around nursing. Sometimes baby is all cuddly tummy facing mine, sometimes not.

Could you be too worried about doing right and adjusting baby and yourself too much? What is it exactly about the position that's not right?

And the open mouth and nipple pain...are you using Lansinoh everytime you nurse? Being careful not to get too much soap on your nips in shower? What could help that is making a C with your fingers and making your breast as elongated as possible and then just trying to pull that lower lip chin down a little, but not too hard you pop him off. And sometimes it helps to keep a hold of your breast...they can be heavy for the little ones.

And nursing a long time. How often are you nursing? Every 1 and a half -3 hours at this point is normal and a long stretch of 4-6 hours at night. Are you seeing a lot of wet and poo dipes? Feeling let down? Thats a sign you're making some milk...try drinking some mother's milk tea too. I always let a babe stay on the breast as long as they want, even if they seem asleep. I know it's bothersome and slow mama, but that forced slow down is good for you PP too. I have a fast let down...it helps to manually express some into a cloth dipe until it slows a bit (just a sec or two) and then try to nurse, otherwise dd is getting choked.

Is the baby happy? Gassies or spitup, fussing at the breast a problem? If he's gaining, and putting out the dipes, and content when he does get latched then he is likely fine.

Also maybe a little nipple confusion? Bottles are so much easier that he may be having a hard time with the real work nursing demands of a babe? Maybe go bottle free for awhile?

hope that helps some.

[Heba]

Originally Posted by texmati

An LC or other support may be hard to find in Dubia, but perhaps post on FYT for a recommendation

Dubai has lll and also a couple of ibclcs in private practice. Sharjah also has ibclcs you can see for free if you're that end of town. If if wasn't an ibclc you saw, you might consider trying someone else. There are also peer support groups with trained peer counselors - won't replace ibclc help but the support can sometimes help. Also there are two bf helplines if you want to get more suggestions and talk through things. OP, Pm me if you'd like details of any of these.

Has your lo been assessed for suck problems and tongue tie etc?

Many mums have found that craniosacral therapy has helped w feeding problems, including inability to open mouth wide. Might you consider this? If it's going to work, you should see a difference after one or two sessions. Might be something to discuss with your LC.

Hope you get this figured out soon! You're doing a brilliant job to perservere through all this. *hugs*

[expat-mama]

Originally Posted by neonalee

Hey expat-mama! As you know this is all new to me too, but I'm going to tell you what came to my mind. If he's at the breast that long but still hungry, is he really getting anything in that time? Here's why I say that: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=...tion&Itemid=17

Read the paragraphs after the reasons. I think we are having that issue over here. I think I found that link here in fact, there's a lot of good info and videos on that site.

I am also having some trouble with Aden opening wide enough at times, so I hope someone has some advice there! Please dont give up yet, there are still other things to try!

Hey there! Thanks for the link. I think I landed on that site a little while ago too. DS has never sucked like the babies in those videos or the way it is described on that page. When I first went to the LC because he wasn't gaining weight, I told her I could never hear him swallow and she said it was fine anyway. But when I give DS a bottle at night I definitely hear him taking big gulps. He must be getting something somehow because he is gaining weight now and it can't just be from the one or two bottles I give him at night. But yes, I do think he might be staying so long at the breast because he just isn't getting enough milk/isn't getting it efficiently. I guess that would be a latching problem.

I have biggish nipples and they are not flat but they are not too pointy either. The right nip is flatter than the left too- I have to really use the C hold and kind of mash the nipple to get it into his mouth. Obviously it's not working too well because he still doesn't have a good enough latch.

Originally Posted by texasfarmom

I am no expert at bfing, but I would like to offer a suggestion to try to get Baby to open wider. Try to position DS a little farther from the nipple so that he has to reach with his top lip to get latched on.

Also, do you nurse on cue or a schedule? I don't think this was clear from your post (sorry if it was). Could him nursing for such long periods have something to do with the schedule you use to nurse?

Like I said, I'm not an expert, but HTH!

Thanks, I'll try to position him farther away like you described. I nurse on cue, no schedule. Whenever he starts fussing, sucking on his hand or nudging my breasts when I'm holding him, I feed him.

Originally Posted by Bubblette

I'm new at nursing too - but the one thing that really helped when ds wasn't opening wide enough was getting him to latch the best I could then pulling down on his chin. Have you tried adjusting his latch while he's on the breast? for us getting that lower lip rolled out was so hard the first few weeks and pulling his little chin down was less frustrating for both of us than unlatching and re-latching 20 million times.

I second the 20 minutes then paci or finger. I'd give him each breast till he slows down then pop him off and offer a paci- can't hurt to try. DS will continue to root and make like he's hungry if he's near my bare boob even when he's done- he'll get totally fussy and frustrated. I'm sure he'd actually eat after an hour and a hafd again! even if he wouldn't have asked for it himself. Perhaps you're nursing long enough that he's getting a bit hungry again? Cuddling with a paci fills the sucking and cuddling needs for us.

Good luck mama

Thanks. Yep I've tried pulling his chin down as well as kind of turning his lips out if they are not completely flanged. Sometimes that works, sometimes not.
I think one of the problems is that I got used to him having a mediocre latch that was working ok, but now it's gotten worse and is harder to remedy.

I guess I'll try taking him off after 20 mins, but I don't think he will have eaten nearly enough by then. It's worth a shot just to see how it goes though.

Originally Posted by Hannah32

At my bf mom's group, the LC suggested lying the baby vertically along the side of your stomach, sort of holding them with your arm on their side, and having them nurse from the vertical position. It does encourage the extension of the neck, which could help your latch.

I find this position super comfy and it's what we use now, along with nighttime side lying nursing. I don't know if I described it all that well, but I hope it makes sense. It's sort of like side lying, only you can do it sitting up.

Thanks. I'll try this- I do notice his neck often isn't extended much when he's in the crosscradle hold. I'm so uncoordinated though- I feel like breastfeeding is like one of those cool dances in junior high that all the other cool kids did but I never could.

Originally Posted by terra-pip

Could you be too worried about doing right and adjusting baby and yourself too much? What is it exactly about the position that's not right?
This could be a problem as well. I am constantly adjusting because I'm so uncomfortable and nothing seems like it's working. I use a boppy all the time and I sit in a glider-type chair. I've tried other chairs around the house as well because I felt like my posture wasn't right- but nothing felt comfortable, so I just went back to the glider. I have two pillows behind me because the chair is a little deep and then the boppy on my lap. DS's shoulders always seem hunched and his chin often appears too close to his chest (his neck maybe isn't extended enough) so I'm always trying to readjust to fix that. I also don't know if the boppy doesn't fit me right because he seems to slide down in between it and me and I need to readjust again. Another thing that I notice is that when he is wearing a prefold with a cover (instead of a more flexible, smaller pocket dipe) while lying on his side, his hips are so rigid and inflexible that he sort of rolls onto his back. It's hard to explain. And that's our GOOD position! Cradle hold is impossible for us- his head just rolls all over my arm and I struggle to hold my breast with the opposite hand. Football hold occasionally works for a few minutes but then DS gets upset and starts arching his back and his head away. We can do sidelying but I don't find it that comfortable because I really have to support the breast. Also DS either falls asleep way too easily this way or just wants to suck forever in this position more than the other.
And the open mouth and nipple pain...are you using Lansinoh everytime you nurse? Being careful not to get too much soap on your nips in shower? What could help that is making a C with your fingers and making your breast as elongated as possible and then just trying to pull that lower lip chin down a little, but not too hard you pop him off. And sometimes it helps to keep a hold of your breast...they can be heavy for the little ones.
Yep using lansinoh after every time now. It helps a lot! I don't use soap on my breast at all. I have to do the c-hold or the nipple really doesn't fit in his mouth.

And nursing a long time. How often are you nursing? Every 1 and a half -3 hours at this point is normal and a long stretch of 4-6 hours at night. Are you seeing a lot of wet and poo dipes? Feeling let down? Nursing every 1-2 hours except at night. Tons of wet and poopy dipes- I'm really not worried that he isn't actually getting anything or gaining weight. I know he is- it just takes forever and is painful! I do feel let down- but just either before I feed him or just as I start feeding him. Should I feel more than one let down?

Is the baby happy? Gassies or spitup, fussing at the breast a problem? If he's gaining, and putting out the dipes, and content when he does get latched then he is likely fine. He hsa been a little gassy but I think that's from sputtering and gulping air when the letdown is so fast.

Also maybe a little nipple confusion? Bottles are so much easier that he may be having a hard time with the real work nursing demands of a babe? Maybe go bottle free for awhile? I don't think nipple confusion is a problem, but I guess it's possible. I use bottles that are supposed to be "closest to the breast experience" (Breastflow by the First Years) and made for breastfed babies- but yes they are still bottles and they are definitely easier for him. He really doesn't have THAT much of an issue with my left nipple/breast, mostly the right one. So nipple confusion wouldn't be just for one side.

Originally Posted by Heba

Dubai has lll and also a couple of ibclcs in private practice. Sharjah also has ibclcs you can see for free if you're that end of town. If if wasn't an ibclc you saw, you might consider trying someone else. There are also peer support groups with trained peer counselors - won't replace ibclc help but the support can sometimes help. Also there are two bf helplines if you want to get more suggestions and talk through things. OP, Pm me if you'd like details of any of these.
I'm actually in Al Ain now where there are no LLL. The LC I was seeing is supposed to be one of the best in Emirates- won awards and all that, after I went in for a bunch of sessions and when he started gaining fine she kind of told me that I just need to "keep it up and practice and I need to be more confident" etc. I kind of feel like we are beyond anyone's outside help at this point. Obviously I'm asking here, so I don't completley think that. It just feels like we are not good at this and yes, maybe it WILL just take lots and lots of time and practice and just me getting better, figuring things out and him getting bigger. But I'm going crazy and I'm tired and frustrated.
Has your lo been assessed for suck problems and tongue tie etc?

Many mums have found that craniosacral therapy has helped w feeding problems, including inability to open mouth wide. Might you consider this? If it's going to work, you should see a difference after one or two sessions. Might be something to discuss with your LC.
I don't know anything about this except he is not tongue tied. I guess I could ask the LC.

Hope you get this figured out soon! You're doing a brilliant job to perservere through all this. *hugs*
Thanks.

[Heba]

Oh I'm so sorry it's going so miserably .

The chances are that as your little one grows, breastfeeding will get easier. But for now it sounds as if there is definitely a problem(s), and hopefully if you keep pushing, you will work it out (I know it's hard to keep trying things which don't work, and not have much more help forthcoming).

Just wanted to mention a couple more things; if you're just not clicking with your current LC, you might consider going to someone else (in addition to the two in private practice in Dubai, there's one in Abu Dhabi that I know of - don't know about Al Ain). Otherwise, I would encourage you to go back to your original LC, and make it clear that time and practice alone are not helping - there is still a problem and she needs to help you work out what it is and address it. Edited to add that in many cases, time and practice do solve things without the need for more intervention - so just because the LC encouraged this at the beginning doesn't mean that she doesn't have more techniques in her tool-box - hopefully you *will* work it out together.

Have you tried breast compressions to increase milk transfer during a feed? Won't help your little one latch on, but might help with more efficient feeding. Info and videos on Jack Newman's site mentioned by a pp.

One more thing just throwing out there - some babies will not feed when their heads are being touched - any chance this is happening on the right side?

Finally, here's a link to info on CST, in case you'd like to explore it as a possibility with your LC. It has been found to be helpful in many cases of feeding problems, and particularly (but not exclusively) cases when labour was quicker than average, longer than average, or in cases of mal-presentation. http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVAugSep01p82.html

:

[terra-pip]

How old is your son again? How big is he? Does he have good head control otherwise? Does he nurse well when laying down? Sorry if you've already mentioned that. He's just not comfortable in some way. Does he arch his back? Or pull one or both his legs up jerky like when nursing? (that's a good clue to gas?) And what is your pain like...is it cracked nipple pain? Or a itchy stinging sort of pain? Could you have thrush?--that would feel itchy and stingy, and feel worse while nursing. If your flat nipples are a problem try putting an ice cube against them for a sec...don't hurt yourself with it...just enough to get them pointy??? maybe?

And I'd work hard at getting yourself comfortable. Do you hold his head in the crook of your elbow while side laying? Or just let his head rest on the bed beside you? I'd let him fall aslleep...occasionally my dd will fall asleep but still suckle and then the milk will come again and she'll start actively nursing. It's not so much that you need to worry about hearing them swallow as you know they are swallowing by their throats and jaws moving. Does he suck-pause-suck? And do you feel him occasionally flutter his jaw or tongue while latched? And no you don't always have to feel let down...just a few times a day, sometimes not at all on other days.

Try nursing everywhere...all over the house in a ton of ways...you got to be able to lay down or sit comfortably for a long stretch because babes can take a while. That comfort nursing is important too.

I really hope this works out for you, mama.

[blessedwithboys]

Originally Posted by expat-mama

now for some reason DS will not open wide enough when I offer my right breast (problem #1). This has been happening for almost 2 weeks and now my right nipple is so sore that I've not really able to feed him on that side for a couple of days, so I've been pumping it. I'm worried the supply is dwindling though.

How can I get him to open wider? Waiting for him to open, tickling his upper lip squirting milk in his mouth, trying to get him to mimic me with a wide open mouth, gently pushing down his chin- nothing has been working. He does fine with the other side.

so he opens well while latching on to the left? and i imagine his head is in the crook of your left arm, and he is laying on his right side? try keeping his body in that position and just slide him over to the right breast. you should be able to trick him into thinking he is still on his favorite boob. you'll need a boppy or some other firm pillows to make this work. probably, he would benefit from a chiro adjustment or CST like a pp suggested. get his neck back in alignment and i bet he will be more comfortable opening his jaw wide on the other side.




Another reason I'm just at the end of my rope is that our nursing sessions are soooooo LONG (problem #3). He will nurse for forty-five minutes to an hour and half each time. He falls asleep and is just plain slow.

this is not a problem, it is a nursing style. some babies eat fast, some eat slow. some gobble up the milk and dont comfort nurse, some linger bc they enjoy the pacifier aspect of it. its an expression of your babies personality.



I gave up nursing at night a little while ago and give him expressed milk in bottles because the nursing sessions were so long I wasn't getting any sleep because he was so sleepy and slow. When I give him bottles he drinks them much more quickly and is satisfied for much longer.

this will be the death of your nursing relationship. if he is sleepily nursing, thats great! just snuggle up with him and close your eyes. you'll get all the sleep you need that way.

...

[love2mother]

Have you tried using a pillow? The My Breast Friend pillow made a huge difference for me.

[crystal_buffaloe]

My advice is to get yourself comfortable -- seriously, whatever it takes -- a mountain of pillows, the bed, sitting, leaning, lying. Try really hard to find a comfortable position for you. I liked the My Breast Friend pillow in the early days, but you might still like it at 7 weeks -- it's quite a bit firmer than a boppy. For several days in a row, every time my DD wanted to nurse, we headed to the bed for side-lying nursing with a body pillow supporting my back.

I like the suggestion of a few PP to start with the good side/hold and then just slide him over -- don't try a bunch of flipping and maneuvering, just a gentle slide that keeps him in pretty much the same position.

s

[boobs4milk]

LOVE this latching trick. it gets a whole lotta boob in that little mouth!
http://www.drmomma.org/2010/08/breas...tch-trick.html

[Quinalla]

I know this is only a small part of the whole, but I personally don't like boppy pillows for nursing, they don't work well for me. I just use a fairly flat regular pillow on my lap with my arm and baby on that and then hold the baby's head up a bit and either a pillow or arm rest for my arms on both sides. I would just get a bunch of pillow from around the house and get yourself comfortable, don't be afraid to use a bunch. My baby was a slow nurser too and I had to make sure I was comfortable because I would be there for awhile!

[mt_gooseberry]

OK, I'm going to throw my two cents in. First of all, your post sounds like it could have been mine, except that in desperation I ended up using a nipple shield. That came with its own set of problems, and finally at 5 months we were able to wean from it. That said, we are at 7 months now, and while all of the earlier problems have been solved, we still struggle with nursing. Like you said, every time we get over one problem, a new one crops up. I'm not saying this to scare you away from nursing (I'm still hanging in there, after all) but just to let you know that maybe your hung up on this fantasy of a beautiful, wonderful, natural experience, and I now know that in some cases, it will never be quite that perfect.

Here's my advice, which may not do you much good or make you feel much better, but I do want to try to help you: the poor nursing on one side (I had this, baby just wouldn't latch on as well or open mouth as wide)--many babies prefer one side over the other. Some women end up nursing just on one side and let the other dry up because it becomes such a problem. You will be uneven, but it is possible, and your other breast will gradually increase its milk supply to support the baby. I myself almost went this route, but just kept trying. Finally, at about 6 months (yes, a long time!) baby became as comfortable with one breast as the other. There was nothing I did but continue to offer both sides at every nursing session.
The pain on the poorly nursed side--could be from the poor latch on, but your description of the pain sounds to me like thrush (I also had this). Thrush can occur in only one side, and baby can be symptom free while mom still suffers. If it is thrush, well, we're at 7 months and I have had it for 4 months and still can't get rid of it. I guess I can't give you advice there, cuz I have tried EVERYTHING and it still feels like she is chewing off my nipple at every suckle.
The positioning--I used to be so caught up in "the correct position" that I never got comfortable to nurse. Finally I just abandoned "correct positioning" and now we nurse however it feels right at that moment.
The bottle supplementing--tried this too at one point, cuz I didn't know what else to do (we also went 1 to 2 hours per nursing session). However, I realized that the more I used the bottle, the harder it became to ever get a good latch on, and I finally put the bottle away and just pushed through with the difficult act of nursing. Eventually baby's nursing improved.
I guess the thing that improved everything for me was time. Lots of time. Months of time. That may sound so discouraging, but now all of those problems you have now are solved for me (except the thrush, but we don't even know if you really even have that). I know how you're feeling, but you will feel so good about your mothering if you are able to just push through these dark times and keep getting your baby that mama milk! I'm sending good vibes/prayers/thoughts your way! And if you do end up pumping exclusively (as I considered doing almost every day for months) baby will still be getting you which is better than formula.

[RaeDyCo]

With DS1, I also had a tough time latching and the only way I could latch was using the football hold. Just after 6-7 weeks (I think? Long time ago!), we finally got the cradle hold. DS1 needed more head control to handle it. He also had a hard time opening wide enough

This latching info really helped me -- http://www.mother-2-mother.com/latching.htm

I know others have said this but it will get better and your baby will nurse faster. DS1 also nursed for 45-50 mins but it started getting much faster, eventually a normal session was around 15-20 mins (longer before naps / bed).

Good luck & hope things get better soon.