Need encouragement, suggestions (infant suction, SNS) UPDATE in OP

[Chinese Pistache]

My almost 2 wk old hasn't been able to nurse at all. We had to resort to pumping and bottle feeding (bottles were decided on over other feeding to give him a chance to suck). We've seen 3 LCs and the consensus seems to be that he is not getting or maintaining suction/seal when he latches on. It's very frustrating to him and to me. His suck is okay, not the greatest, but adequate.

We've tried the nipple shield, but my nipples are largish and none of them fit properly. Plus, with his lack of suction, the milk just runs out of it.

We're now using the SNS. We had a good session when the LC was here last, but I'm having no luck using it by myself. I need an extra hand or something. Not to mention I'm allergic to adhesive, so I have red blisters on my breast where we taped the tubing.

I really need help and support. Has anyone btdt with an infant with poor suction? Does anyone have tips on how to use the SNS more easily? Can someone tell me there will be an end to this nightmare and my baby will be able to nurse?? I'll take any and all suggestions.

Update: Ds has been nursing exclusively at the breast for a day and a half!!! I've put away the bottles for good! I credit his amazing turnaround to CST (4 visits). He's finally opening his mouth wide and his suction and sucking are great. The other helpful things I've done (based on things I'd read here or elsewhere) were to hold my breast at the areola and really compress it before bringing ds onto it. It's not what the LCs teach, but it worked! Also, a mom here said that she held her breast so that the nipple was pointing upward toward the roof of the baby's mouth. I did that in addition to compressing the areola and it got ds in exactly the right latching position. I can't believe my baby is finally nursing. It took almost 3 wks of constant pumping and bottlefeeding but now we're happily breastfeeding. Hang in there, everyone! And thank you to all for the advice and support

[mytwogirls]

Mama I have no suggestions, but a BIG HUG for you though. I am on day 6 of a nursing strike with my ten month old daughter so I can for sure understand the frustration, panic, sadness and anxiety of it all. It is so rough to deal with and pumping is very emotionally draining for me. Remember you are still giving him the best gift you can...breast milk. Don't give up. I am rooting for you mama! I am positive there are experts here that can help you like they have been helping me through my trying time. Keep checking back I am sure someone out there has experience with this. Wishing you much luck!

[justthinkn]

So sorry!! I don't have any ideas for the suck issues, but as a long-term SNS user, maybe I could offer some support... I don't know exactly what part of it you're struggling with, but here's what I did with a young baby. The hardest part for me was that I needed to set DD down while I put the SNS on and got ready for her, which meant a minute or two of her crying - I hated that! Once the SNS was filled and tightened around my neck, I used 3-4 pieces of tape - I used one for each breast, taping an inch or so above the nipple with the tip of the tubing coming just past the nipple end (a little more if the nipple was retracted - sorry, kind of graphic!!). The other pieces of tape, I used to fasten/hook the tubing up against the SNS bottle so that DD's hands wouldn't get stuck in it so easily. Then I could cradle DD's head in the elbow of one arm, and keep the other hand for working with the tubes, to guide nipple and tube into DD's mouth, pressing the tubing close to my nipple with a finger so it wouldn't "miss." Baby might try to just suck on the tube, but I'd try again until she took both. Then I'd release the tube she was using... And then - the directions don't say this - but at some point, all that sucking makes a vacuum effect in the SNS bottle, and it gets harder for the baby. Releasing the other side of the tubing releases that vacuum pressure. If you do it too early, liquid may come down that other side, so you seal it off and try again in a few minutes.

I hope things work out for you and your babe!

[justthinkn]

Oh, I forgot... The tape caused me some problems, too. At Target I found a medical tape for sensitive skin that didn't irritate me. And to heal the irritated areas, I would use hydrocortisone cream first, and a few minutes later, a layer of some nipple butter or lasinoh on top, a few times a day between nursing sessions, until it healed. I tried to vary where I taped a bit, too.

[khanni]

no help w/ suction, but have sns suggestions. the tape thing is hard. even the sensitive tape gave me rashes, so I used a band-aid that could be left in place until it came off itself--just thread tube thru it. also, found that football hold best for getting tube and latch. it can be REALLY frustrating, so I started taking some Rescue Remedy before each session, and it really helped.

[Ruthla]

I'm sorry you're dealing with all this.

I'd suggest you keep on pumping and bottlefeeding for most feedings, and then use the SNS once a day or so, or at least try offering the breast for comfort nursing when the baby isn't overly hungry. This will give the baby a chance to learn how to nurse without the stress of trying to make it work for every single feeding. Hopefully, in a few weeks the baby will get big and strong enough to latch on, and then you'll be able to work on weaning from the pump and the bottles.

[Chinese Pistache]

Thank you all so much. I really appreciate all the hugs and suggestions.

justthinkn and rhanni, the problem I have with the sns is keeping the tube just so on my nipple while I'm latching him. He doesn't open his mouth wide enough so latching takes forever while I try to persuade him to open up, and by that time, the tube has fallen off my nipple.

thanks for the suggestion on medical tape. My friend is going out to buy some for me.

[khanni]

Hi,

It can be really frustrating. It takes a lot of practice. I tend to kind of get the tube in first and then get my nipple in. Another option is to put the tube in afterward in the corner of the mouth. I've never been able to get the hang of it, but Dr. Jack Newman suggests this. Here's a video showing how: http://www.thebirthden.com/JN%20Lactation%20aid.wmv

[khanni]

here's a link to his document about it, too: http://www.thebirthden.com/Lactation...ary%202005.doc

[chlobo]

CP,

Did the lc's evaluate for tongue tie (including posterior ties). If his tongue doesn't have good mobility it could definitely affect his ability to nurse.
Not all LC's have experience in this area (esp with posterior ties) so be sure to ask around.

[GooeyRN]

I used an SNS with ds for 6.5 weeks. (he had FTT and a lazy suck, and jaundice) Yes, it was frustrating. I hated the tape since I blistered, too. What I did was put the tape down without tubing. Then I put the tubing where it belongs, and put another piece of tape over the tubing. That way I was not constantly ripping tape off of myself, I only removed the bottom piece once a day. It really saved my skin. I also used tape in several places to avoid needing 30 hands. Yes, I looked freakish wearing so much tape all day long but it saved my skin. I just wore shirts that covered everything. I also admit that I did not always take the SNS off. I just left it on until ds emptied it. Sometimes for 4 hours! EBM is good up to 8 ours unrefridgerated. DS eventually got a better suck and I was able to quit using the SNS. Hang in there! I know how frustrating it is!

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by chlobo

CP,

Did the lc's evaluate for tongue tie (including posterior ties). If his tongue doesn't have good mobility it could definitely affect his ability to nurse.
Not all LC's have experience in this area (esp with posterior ties) so be sure to ask around.

Yes. In fact, we had his tongue clipped to rule it out, but the person that did it acknowledged that she didn't think it was the problem because there was so little frenulum. He just wasn't coordinating his tongue by sticking it out far enough and then, he wasn't maintaining suction. His tongue has gotten better, though, but we're still working on it, of course. And then, I hope the suction improves as we practice and he gets stronger.

[chlobo]

That sucks. I hope he figures it out soon.

[justthinkn]

That is so frustrating... Always hard when you're trying to coax baby's mouth open, but so much more difficult if you also have to get a tube in there! I'm not sure I understand how it keeps slipping off? Besides the tape to anchor it, you can use the thumb or index finger of the hand that you're using to support your breast, to hold the tube in place at the nipple as you're brushing your nipple over baby's mouth to encourage opening. But maybe that isn't what you meant...

[GooeyRN]

I also put tape on my areola.

[Chinese Pistache]

Originally Posted by justthinkn

That is so frustrating... Always hard when you're trying to coax baby's mouth open, but so much more difficult if you also have to get a tube in there! I'm not sure I understand how it keeps slipping off? Besides the tape to anchor it, you can use the thumb or index finger of the hand that you're using to support your breast, to hold the tube in place at the nipple as you're brushing your nipple over baby's mouth to encourage opening. But maybe that isn't what you meant...

I don't know. . . maybe I'm just exceptionally uncoordinated?? My baby wasn't tolerating the cross cradle hold, just the football hold and I find that difficult to arrange by itself. I have to hold him just so, otherwise, he'll pop off the breast immediately. I was finding it difficult and tedious to get the tube straight every time he'd pop off (which was about the first 15 or 20 times I tried to latch him on).

Anyway, I didn't use the SNS at all today and he managed to latch and nurse 3 times! He didn't do it for long, but he did it briefly. We started chiro/cst on Monday and he nursed that night for 6 minutes of regular gulping (!), did terribly yesterday, and then, after our chiro appt. this morning, he's done great. I think this might be the ticket for us. Plus, I even got him to nurse in the cross cradle hold this afternoon, when he was very relaxed and mostly full (from a bottle of ebm).

I hope that once he gets the hang of latching and sucking, we'll be able to transition to milk on tap. My supply is good and my let down is quick, so I'm crossing my fingers.

[tanyalynn]

My copy/paste isn't working, but yippee to the latching on after the chiro/cs! My son had positional problems with football/cross-cradle that our old chiro fixed for us, so I hope that continues to help you two! And a big GOOD JOB for all the hard work and problem solving. So hard when you're tired and such a tiny person is wholly dependent on you. And since your supply is good, all the better to make the transition to direct-from-you milk.

Lots of hugs and a big good job!

[justthinkn]

Awesome! Congratulations!

[Chinese Pistache]

bump

[loraxc]

YAY!! That's great news. Maybe you have convinced me to try CST.