So my son has been feeding off only one side for about 2 years, it's pretty well used to copping it from him but I noticed recently that it's been quite painful, only actually had a look at the nipple properly today though. Anyway, there's a perfect semi circle of actual scabs (ew) where his top teeth have obviously been resting while he's been having his lazy morning feed (the only one he has now). We feed lying down, wouldn't know how to change it. If I just got up he'd cope, no tears even, but I don't particularly want to give up my lie-in so I'm happy to keep feeding. But how can I fix his latch so it doesn't hurt/injure me? I've tried telling him to open his mouth wider etc and frankly I may as well ask him to fly for all the effect it has.
Ooh and... Yes I know he's old enough to wean, but I'm only after responses that are supportive of full-term/extended bfing thanks.
My dd was the same at 2 and I'm sad that ds often leaves teeth marks too!
With dd, I would gently take her off and show her how to do an open mouth and ask her to go back on gently please. I was pregnant at the time and I really worked on her latch because it was sooooo painful! I then used to say 'no teeth' if I could feel her teeth. We also only fed lying down, and eventually it did help.
I found every time DS would get another teeth we would have to readjust what we were doing.
Are you on the side with the feeding breast at the bottom? Is he on a pillow?
I would try adjusting slightly. Definitely have your pinky to detach and maybe put your finger slightly in his mouth to encourage him to open wider?
I miss the morning feeds so I hope you can get it sorted.
My 2 year old's teeth touch too. i say 'big mouth' and reattach her when it starts to hurt. supporting her back is important (we still do cradle hold) so she is not hanging on by her mouth. Actually even if we lie down to feed, i have an arm on her back or leg to keep her in close when she is feeding.
A pillow (or towel) under his head, or your breast, might help change your position.
I find it worse, the emptier I am. So it will be fine at the start of a feed but then towards the end, it becomes painful and those little teeth marks appear. I usually counteract that by swapping sides before the first is drained but obviously, if you are only feeding from one side that isn't exactly helpful
Another idea would be to express some so your breast is extra full and there is too much milk, therefore not feeding with a reduced amount but that is also not very practical. I've got DD2 to increase my supply which helps.
I'm not sure how much supply I have now anyway, it doesn't seem to change. Might try pulling him closer and see if that changes the angle, thanks for that. I think if I tried adjusting his latch directly he'd get irritated.
About then I had to start saying "You've got a big strong mouth - you need to open it or Mum gets sore". Show him the sore bits and explain that although you know it was an accident, he made you ouchy, and that he needs to feed properly and let go nicely!
And tell him when it happens - "you're hurting, try again", and also when he gets it right. "Well done - no toothmarks"
For us it wasn't any particular position - but it was definitely opening wide.
If he has a snotty nose then that may be part of the issue too.
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Extended bfing OUCH!
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