How to get DD to open wider?

[smeep]

My DD is 12 days old and I think our issue is she's not opening her mouth wide enough. She gets a good latch after sucking it in the rest of the way and it stops hurting but the initial latch on...ouch! Help???

[maddymama]

Hi Mama,

How frustrating for you.

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding has some good information that helped me with the latch of my baby.  You may want to get a copy of the book and read that chapter... some things I learned are:

I would try to aim the nipple towards the roof of the baby's mouth while encouraging your baby to open WIDE for the latch.  Also, you may want to sandwich your breast to help your baby get a good mouthful while latching on.

You may also want to contact a local LLL Leader or a lactation consultant to look at your latch and see if they have any ideas.

Good luck!

~Michelle

[smeep]

Aim and breast sandwich are being done, I'm just having a hard time with the opening wider part. I'm going to see WIC's LC on Friday but obviously I'd like to keep working on it in the meantime. Breastfeeding should NOT hurt still at nearly 2 weeks, bleh.

[~Adorkable~]

boy i still struggle with the same thing a lot of the time. it was really bad at first and still creeps up. please let me know if you find anything that works.