[sattygirl99]

Okay so we have trouble with uncomfortable nursing sessions. I am making sure her mouth is open wide, both lips flanged out and when I look, she has a good mouthful. I'm not holding her too close (I used to do that and she'd pull back with nipple in mouth) and I'm trying not to hold her too far away so she doesn't stretch my nipple out.

If her latch looks good but it still hurts (especially while waiting for letdown), is it more likely that she has a strong suck? I can't get her latch any more perfect but yet it still hurts... Sometimes her latch is shallow but it's a different kind of pain, kwim?

Thoughts? Advice? Will the pain and discomfort stop at some point? She's 12 weeks old!

 

[Viola]

My first one had a strong suck, and she would compress the nipple when she breastfed. I tried to get a really good latch going, but there was always some pain associated with it. The shallow latch nursing on the nipple was a different pain, quite bad, but the discomfort with the strong suck lasted for months. Then eventually, she did change how she sucked and it was fine after that, but I think she was 9 months old by then. She had a high palate, which I think contributed to the problem.

The only suggestion I can really give is just to be very careful with latch, support the nape of her neck on the web of your hand, so her head is tilted back and she is coming chin first. That will help get the nipple in a little farther, and if she reacts to your hand on the back of her head, keeping it down low with the finger and thumb on the side should help.

Best wishes to you!

 

[sattygirl99]

oh yes, the shallow latch pain is PAINFUL... Like, wanna cry and scream painful. But this just hurts.

She has a high palate according to our IBCLC, from her severe tongue tie (clipped at 5.5 weeks). I never thought about that as part of the problem.

Thanks mama!

 

[indeospero]

The [ex-]tongue tie and high palette could definitely be the culprit here. Have you tried craniosacral therapy? That can help tremendously post-frenotomy. Some babies also need therapy (usually a speech-langauge therapist can provide this) to re-train the suck. It wouldn't surprise me if your baby needed a bit of suck training or CST, since her tongue was clipped relatively late.

HTH; sorry if you've already tried all of this!

 

[sattygirl99]

Quote:

Originally Posted by indeospero The [ex-]tongue tie and high palette could definitely be the culprit here. Have you tried craniosacral therapy? That can help tremendously post-frenotomy. Some babies also need therapy (usually a speech-langauge therapist can provide this) to re-train the suck. It wouldn't surprise me if your baby needed a bit of suck training or CST, since her tongue was clipped relatively late. HTH; sorry if you've already tried all of this!

I don't consider 5.5 weeks late, lol.

She has been getting adjusted and getting CST.

I think it's more of just a strong suck. She always had a strong suck. When the latch is right, it doesn't hurt. It's just when it's a little off that it's uncomfortable or painful.

Thanks mama!