Small mouth?

[Tulafina]

My girlfriend had her baby 2 weeks ago and has had bfding problems from day 1. When she unlatches she has pinches on either of the areola right where the corner of her mouth meets breast. She has a perfect latch(seen by many consultants) and gets help every few days to make sure she doesn't revert back to a bad latch. When she opens her mouth you can see that she has a small mouth and it's much longer(top to bottom) than it is wide. So could this be it? Can a person have a great latch and still have nipple pain and pinching if the mouth is just too small? I am still nursing my 18mos old but I just can't figure out what the problem is. She is desperately wanting to nurse and the pain is just taking over her world. She feels she is not enjoying being a mom. I just want to help her anyway I can. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated! Take Care, Julie

[DancingOtter]

Yes, I can help. I'll type it all up in a second.

[DancingOtter]

Okay, she can try this method that works well for babies with tongue tie or a receded jaw. (Which just might be her issue. Coincidentally, breastfeeding is the ONLY thing short of surgery that will bring the jaw back to where it should be.)

You hold the baby in a cross cradle hold, we'll say she's holding the baby with her right arm to her left breast. Hold the breast with the other hand, so she'd take her left hand and squeeze her left breast like a hamburger. You want to latch the baby on just like you would eat a big burger so it's flattened to fit in her mouth just like a burger, you know? The baby should be NOSE to NIPPLE, so the baby has to tilt her head up to get the nipple. Tickle the baby's mouth or nose with the nipple so the baby tilts her chin up and opens WIDE. Then ROLL the breast down into the mouth just like how you would take a huge bite from that burger. There should be a lot more areola covered by the bottom jaw than the top. (That's why there is always more burger left on top when you take a bite, the bottom jaw does all the work.)

So you roll it down into the baby's mouth so she has a big bite of breast. While you're doing that, roll your right hand up the baby's shoulder blades. (Not the neck or head, you can use a pillow to support the head while you do this, but there is a rooting spot on the back of baby's head, so careful not to confuse her.) Push the baby against your body TIGHT. I mean REALLY snug. You're not going to squish her, they like the security. Hold the baby VERY TIGHTLY against your body while she nurses, pushing at the shoulders so her head stays tilted properly. Keep her whole chest and stomach tight against the mother's body while she nurses.

[Tulafina]

Thank you!

What you have described is exactly what she is doing with her LO so I would assume it should get better as time goes by. Thank you for taking the time to respond! It is a huge help! Take Care, Julie

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Originally Posted by DancingOtter

Okay, she can try this method that works well for babies with tongue tie or a receded jaw. (Which just might be her issue. Coincidentally, breastfeeding is the ONLY thing short of surgery that will bring the jaw back to where it should be.)

What is a receded jaw? Is that an overbite? My baby has a huge overbite, and had the most painful latch for the first two or three months, but he now opens so huge that it isn't an issue anymore.

Sorry to thread-hijack...