Ds is 2 1/2 weeks old. He's a 5th baby and I nursed my other 4 dcs for two years each. Baby nursed well at first, though was a little clenchy in his jaw. My breasts were firm and he latched well. Then, I started to feel pain and had cracked nipples (about the time my minimal engorgement went away). My milk supply was tapering as evidenced by lower and lower pee and poop output by the end of his first week. Weighing before and after feeding showed low milk transfer. I started pumping but my output was small, which is not normal for me (my last baby had different bfing issues and I ep'd for a month until they resolved. It was nothing for me to pump 4-6 ounces in 10-15 minutes per session). I'm having to supp with formula for my newest ds, which absolutely breaks my heart, as I'm only providing 50% of the bm he needs. I pump 8-10x a day.
I don't know what to do. No one can find anything wrong. He's not tongue tied. The only thing *I* can figure is that my nipples are very long and flaccid (longer and more flaccid after nursing for the past 8 years) and ds cant pull them back far enough to compress the areola. Football hold is the least painful (but still awful) position. I'm hoping to wait this out until his mouth grows some more. I put him to the breast everyday so he doesn't forget how to latch and suck (so far, so good). My concern is that even if he's eventually able to nurse properly, I wont have the supply to match.
So, a couple questions.
If you have long nipples, do you have any tips?
Do you think it's still possible for my milk supply to increase after 17 days, with mainly pumping? (I take herbs, and I'm open to other ideas)
Any other thoughts?
Have you had someone really good look for a posterior tongue tie? Tongue-tie leaps out at me from your post.
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