Premature and Latch Issues

[Babydust24]

My little girl decided that she was coming 4 weeks early and was 5lbs when we left the hospital.  I have been trying very hard and wanted nothing more than to ebf her.  Both my boys were unable to nurse for different reasons.  One needed stomach surgery and had to have every oz measured and the other was so severly tounge tied that even after he was clipped he never learned to suck.  Anyways.....she really wants to nurse and when she tries to latch on it just seems that her mouth is too small.  She sometimes gets the latch but then after one suck will pop off so we keep trying and trying and eventually she gets so frusterated she will just go back to sleep.  Im just about ready to throw in the towel on bf as shes only been drinking from a bottle and I just dont have the time to sit and pump all day with a 2 year old and a 4 yr old.  I also tried a nipple sheild and no luck with that either.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thank you

[~Adorkable~]

welcome to MDC

my babies were born 36w as well and could not seem to open their mouths enough to nurse, and yes were very tired all the time. they finally latched the first time at 10days old.  they are now 3.5 months and doing a ton better and growing big

things that help:

try a differnt size sheild, a smaller one may help

rent a hospital grade pump, i only had to pump 3 times a day and to worked well on growing good suply, everyone is differnt with this

posibly feed her just a tiny bit first from a bottle, get her in the mood or take the edge off hunger, this might help her focus

good luck, keep it up, it will be soo worth it in the long run!

[~Adorkable~]

how are you doing mama, we would love an update!

[MindfulBirth]

((HUGS)) what your baby needs is patience, practice and a few weeks growth.  Near term babies such as yours do not have a coordinated suck and and tend to be very sleepy (as I'm sure you've noticed.   Please, please find a qualified IBCLC near you to help out.

Oh... just realized this was posted in April and the OP hasn't been back since. Well.. leaving it here in case someone else has a similar issue.