Breastfeeding a babe with a wicked overbite?

[Pandora114]

Ok, upon closer inspection, DS has a WICKED overbite, like you can put your pinky finger right under his top gums without him opening his mouth at all...

Now, how does one go about latching a little one on with such a wicked overbite?

I'm at a loss..

TIA!!!

[annakiss]

Is he sticking his tongue out when nursing? Is he trying to latch? DS2 had something similar. It just took a few days before we had nursing down, but I don't think it was as bad. I just made sure to get that bottom lip out each time we latched. By day 3, we were fine. Good luck!

[Pandora114]

He's TRYING to get his tongue out, he's not tongue tied, his jaw is just really really recessed. his lower lip doesn't even curl out very well because it's so recessed. He really does try to latch...he just can't manage to get his mouth open enough nor manage to get his tongue out far enough to get the areola...

My dad has the same thing. I dont know if he and his sibs were breastfed or not (Rural Quebec in the late 50's early 60's) I have to ask...

There has to be a way to get past it...

[Village Mama]

Have you talked to Deb? She really is awesome! My second little guy wasn't an easy starter in the breastfeeding category either!

[mamatojade]

Congratulations!!!

You might want to try the Breastfeeding Drop-in Clinic at the Nursing Centre on England St. tomorrow between 9-11. I used to volunteer there and the women there are wonderful lactation consultants. There is a big reason why our community has a 95%+ breastfeeding rate. :-)

[Pandora114]

Originally Posted by Village Mama

Have you talked to Deb? She really is awesome! My second little guy wasn't an easy starter in the breastfeeding category either!

Last night she was just SO tired and SO overwhelmed that she couldn't figure it out, Neither could Emma, and neither could Monica.

We kinda figured out to do it sidelying, but we're going grocery shopping tomorrow and we can't really NIP sidelying in the middle of Superstore

I'll call their office tomorrow when we get up to see if they want us to keep the appt we made or they're gonna come. We're going out anyway so might as well go in right? I feel like a million bux.

[Village Mama]

LOL.... well, you must be doing pretty well if you are even considering braving the Superstore! I always loved those home visits.
Congrats again Pan. Sounds like an awesome birth.

[phathui5]

Is there someone else you can send grocery shopping?

[Pandora114]

lol I dont trust DH to go even with a list

[MellyMel]

sprry to be OT, but are you talking about Emma Gledhill? She was my midwife in Abbotsford, and moved out to the island a couple weeks after my son was born! I miss her! Good luck!

[Pandora114]

Originally Posted by MellyMel

sprry to be OT, but are you talking about Emma Gledhill? She was my midwife in Abbotsford, and moved out to the island a couple weeks after my son was born! I miss her! Good luck!

dunno, is she brittish?

[MellyMel]

yeah! and she has three kids, all boys. And she's been a midwife for something like 20 years and just moved here from britian only a couple of years ago i think!

[Pandora114]

yup twas her. She didn't make it for the acctual birth though, she got the wrong house initially. Poor guy got woken up at like 1:30am lol oh well

[MellyMel]

oh no! poor guy. oh well. She was AMAZING for my labour, and I was SO sad when she moved away. But then I ended up moving away too. oh well

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

How are things going now Pandora?? I have been thinking about you all day.

[Pandora114]

We've come up with a solution!

Sorry havn't posted earlyer but I went grocery shopping and then went strait to bed with my babe and nursed non stop...midwives came by and saw my solution..

Temp torture for my nipples but we all make sacrifices...

I have to literally squish my nipple so it can get in far enough so he can get a good latch and then he keeps going. We have to relatch like 3 times per breast because he tongue thrusts it out initially but then he finally gets the hang of the suck/tongue thrust combo and goes to town.

My milk should come in tomorrow and then it'll be pretty smooth sailing for the little guy.

YAY!

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

I am happy to hear you have a solution but on the squishy nipple sounds not fun. Hopefully he will be a fast learner and you will be off and running.

[Pandora114]

Originally Posted by MCatLvrMoMof2

I am happy to hear you have a solution but on the squishy nipple sounds not fun. Hopefully he will be a fast learner and you will be off and running.

no it isn't fun but, it's better than nothing. Because of his jaw/recessed chin, I have banned all artificial nipples. NONE Not ever.....because it will result in weaning...I just know it. We will figure out other ways to feed him if/when he needs to be away from me....but the last thing I need is that kind of sabotage. Sure it might have worked for others to introduce an artificial nipple, but my DS would just wholeheartedly embrace it and dump me in a heartbeat..NOT WORTH IT...