Laid Back Position?

[Mama2ChicknLil]

I'm just wondering if anyone has tips on how to do this? DS gets frustrated even though I help him, holding my breast and supporting his body, but he has a shallow latch, that we are still working on 1 month in. I have scoliosis and he has gained 2.5 lbs since birth...my back and neck are killing me (yes, even with the Boppy and seven thousand other pillows). Also, at night he wakes up STARVING and by the time I've worked out the pillow fortress he's reached his boiling point which just causes more damage to my slowly healing nipples...is love to make this position work, but I'm having more trouble with it than I hoped to!

[MindfulBirth]

Can you find a lactation consulatant (an IBCLC) to help you?  You may need to have an complete assessment done to check for things such as posterior tongue tie that might be interfering with your baby's ability to get a good latch.  A good IBCLC should also help you find positions that will work with your body to prevent such pain for you.

Meanwhile, here is a website you may want to take a look at http://www.biologicalnurturing.com/

Also, remember to keep the baby tummy to tummy with you so that he does not have to turn his head to latch on and to line up his nose to your nipple prior to latch so that he does not have to extend his head too far back or too far down, too. 

Post in your tribal area for recommendations on a good IBCLC near you.  Best wishes.

[foreverinbluejeans]

The philosopy of laid back breastfeeding is that we don't need experts to tell us how to nurse. The last decade women have been using prescribed breastfeeding positions and have been trying to nurse sitting straight up (like all the pictures of half-naked breastfeeding women) and this has caused problems with latch, comfort, and the mother-baby relationship.

Instead of messing with pillows every time you want to breastfeed it can help to have a nursing nest where you can nurse most of the time. With laid back breastfeeding you don't have to support the baby's weight. The Boppy may be the worst pillow on the market for nursing. In the laid back position the baby may latch himself. Make sure he opens his mouth wide. If you open your mouth wide he may imitate you. Amazing but true.

A weight gain of 2.5 pounds in a month is a lot! You may be able to use only one breast a feeding. That way your baby will get more high fat milk and will feel more full. It's called "finish the first breast first."

Here are some links that may be of help

http://www.nancymohrbacher.com/blog/2010/7/18/laid-back-breastfeeding.html

[erigeron]

I never got the hang of laid-back nursing either, for all it's supposed to be so easy and natural and not need to be taught. I don't think it helps that her head is only just getting to be as big as my boob. The link in the last post has a very pretty picture of a baby nursing in the laid-back position, but the ergonomics are different for babies who have to scale Mount Booby first. Anyway, I hope you are able to make it work, but don't feel bad... you're not the only one who has trouble with it.

[lifeguard]

For me the trick to it with ds was to make sure my arm on the nursing side was well supported so I could really relax. I discovered this 'position' by accident with ds & it quickly became a favourite.

[Mama2ChicknLil]

Thanks mamas we are sort of getting the hang of it. Ds is definately having some trouble traversing Mount Booby, but as his neck gets stronger (and I get less afraid of breaking him) we seem to have made some progress. Nipples are healing, he's still neoteny like its his job, and now I can bf him side lying which has also taken lots of pressure off my back. Ahhh babies, they look so rest on tv!!

[rielly]

I second the support of the arm on the side where you are nursing.  I also second the recommendation that you consider seeing a IBCLC.  My DD had a shallow latch, which turned out to be a posterior tongue tie. I was still experiencing nipple pain and cracking/bleeding at 8 weeks. Laid back nursing definitely helped us get more comfortable, pre- and post- tt release.  I eventually was able to lay back and doze while she suckled. Hang in there and stick with it- It's definitely a steep learning curve even though it's "natural."