Feeding bub with undershot jaw, help with nipple shields?

[lissy]

Help, I'm so sore right now just the thought of feeding my little man has me cringing & crying . Apparently I'm having trouble as he has an undershot jaw. I need to do something about it asap but so far everyone just keeps saying is he's not attaching properly!!!!

So was wondering if nipple shields would help until I can get this sorted out? I know nothing about them though. If I send DF to the local baby shop, I'm still in hospital, should they be able to tell him what I need?

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

The staff in hospital should be able to provide nipple shields and help you to use them. If they are not keen on the idea, point out how painful it is to feed and ask them what the risks of using a nipple shield are. They may say that they believe they may decrease the milk supply. However, there is really no evidence for this - say you would like to try them. It would be preferable to use a nipple shield than give up all together. Ask to see a lactation consultant.
When you have problems in the early days the important thing is to feed the baby - your milk direct from the breast or expressed. And maintain your milk supply - the rest can be sorted out

[lissy]

Thanks barb. Look so far the hospital hasn't been very helpful, they are that busy by the looks of things I thought it might be easier if I just did it myself. They haven't had time to help me with my bubs upset spewy tummy that's getting me & him up every 20mins, so i wasnt going to hold my breath on the attachment thing.

[MummyDuck]

Lissy find out if they have bf day stays at the hospital. Mine was awesome. And it wasn't run by the maternity department but was at the hospital.

My home midwife was mortified when they sent me home with feeding problems my nipples were bleeding bruised blistered cracked and I was on day 3!!!!

I used nipple shields and took panadol before feeding (not great but better than giving up)

I feel for you Hun. My hospital midwives just said it was normal for the first few weeks



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[Charlotte91]

DD's jaw is set back, (DP wasn't breastfed because of his jaw as well) and using a nipple shield was the only way I could BF her.

I got mine from the Special Care Nursery.

[Miss E]

Yes, I would say definately get some nipple shields, if the hospital won't help than get your DP to go get them. I had similar problems to begin with and without them we would never have been able to establish BF. Good luck hun, stay strong and keep trying, you will get there

[lissy]

Ok so df went & got me some lanolin cream & nipple shields. The cream really helps but bub is still chewing my nipples to pieces. I've checked that I have the nice 'special k' attachment & it looks good to me. I tried a nipple shield last night & bub wasn't overly fussed. Do they take a while to get used to them? Am I using it right? I'm just placing the shield over my nipple & as bub starts sucking its suctioning on & drawing my nipple up but not all the way???

My breasts are really engorged atm so I do have a little trouble getting him to attach initially sometimes.

[Olive]

babies are born with a recessed jaw for the purpose of feeding... i hope things get better soon darl