I can't get her latch right

[courts&munchkins]

Dd2 is 15 days old and I just can't get her latch right. The biggest problem is she approaches the breast already sucking instead of opening her mouth wide. No matter how many times I take her off and try her again she just keeps the suckling motion going. How do I get her to stop doing this? Generally out of sheer frustration from both of us I just shove the nipple in between sucking motions which is giving her I feel a shallow latch. When by chance I manage to latch her properly before the sucking motion begins she doesn't like the deeper latch and pulls off and re attaches herself the way she likes it. I'm not sure she's causing me too much pain because we have a bad thrush infection currently and it's hard to tell where the pain thrush stops and latch pain starts but my nipples often come out lipstick shaped so something isn't right. She also likes to clamp down on the end of my nipple especially towards an end of a feed. That really hurts so tips on how to stop her doing that too would be appreciated.

[Jaycee]

I'm by no means an expert, but when we had trouble latching I would kind of grab hold of my breast around the aereola area and move the nipple up and down over bubs mouth to get him to open wide, does that make sense? That always gave us a good latch.

You're doing a great job, it will get easier I promise!

[courts&munchkins]

I'm by no means an expert, but when we had trouble latching I would kind of grab hold of my breast around the aereola area and move the nipple up and down over bubs mouth to get him to open wide, does that make sense? That always gave us a good latch.

You're doing a great job, it will get easier I promise!

That's what I have been doing because a LC showed me how to do that with my last daughter who was a terrible latcher as well. But even doing that with dd2 she won't open her mouth wide. As soon as that nipple gets anywhere near her face she just starts the sucking motion instead. She's done this since the day she was born. Means her mouth is small and pursed and tongue is already sucking so it doesn't wrap around like its supposed to.

[onthefly]

Hi and congrats on your baby!
Sounds like you're both having some issues. Are you getting help with the thrush? Do you feel like she's feeding effectively when she's at the breast? And have you spoken to your health carer about your concerns at all? (sorry for million questions)
Are you familiar with baby-led attachment? It is an extremely effective way of initiating breastfeeding, and getting on top of latch issues, as it utilises your baby's innate instincts to find and latch to the breast. There's an explanation of it here, as well as some photos. Basically, you recline - make yourself comfy with pillows and such - and put your baby on your chest. It works very effectively when you're skin to skin, but if you'd rather have some clothes on, that will work too.
There are some links HERE to video clips, also. The first one is very good, particularly.

Mothers are usually instructed in mother-led attachment, and for many mothers this works well. But when it doesn't - or even if it does - baby-led attachment is often a very effective method.

[courts&munchkins]

For the thrush dd2 is taking nilstat and I am on the candida diet and big doses of pro biotics. I get thrush with every baby, only ever get it whilst breastfeeding too. I find it ridiculously hard to get rid of too. Took me 6 months with dd1.

I haven't seen a doctor because I can't get an appointment for weeks and the midwives are supposed to come out and weigh dd2 this week but I don't know when that will be so I don't really have anyone to discuss my concerns with.

I don't know if she is feeding effectively but she is getting plenty of milk because I have a huge supply and very fast let down and flow. She seems to like the end of the nipple rather then taking the whole breast. She often pulls of and on and she has developed a click whilst feeding in the last few days.

[Eenee]

Another thing to consider is does she have tongue tie, and once that's ruled out its just trying to work out how to get her to correctly latch on.

DD used to have poor latch too and sometimes I did have to keep reattaching her until it was right as frustrating as it is. Although I find it hard to give advice without actually witnessing the problem...I'm a visual person lol

[Ladylove]

Taking the end of the nip may be due to your fast flow or letdown maybe, I know DD did that- sort of perched her mouth right near the edge. Having breastfed your first bubba you'd probably know to try waiting until your letdown had subsided before popping her back on? Or expressing a bit off first so she not dealing with a pressure hose of milk. Not sure I have any advice with the not opening mouth though.

[courts&munchkins]

Another thing to consider is does she have tongue tie, and once that's ruled out its just trying to work out how to get her to correctly latch on.

DD used to have poor latch too and sometimes I did have to keep reattaching her until it was right as frustrating as it is. Although I find it hard to give advice without actually witnessing the problem...I'm a visual person lol

I thought she might have a bit of tongue tie at first because she has a very visible frenulum but she can move her tongue well and poke it out so the midwives said no. The problem with her is if I keep taking her off to try and get her to attach properly she gets frustrated and throws a little hissy fit and then feeding becomes even harder.

Ladylove - she is handling the flow of my let down well, only problem there is early morning she occasionally chokes a little. Her clamping on the nipple is more at the end of a feed not the beginning. She doesn't suck on just the nipple she takes some aeroela into her mouth, just not a lot, prefers a more shallow latch.

[onthefly]

It could be an issue at her end. If you can give baby-led attachment a go, you may find it's easier for her to manage a fast flow, also. If she still can't manage that, then it may be worthwhile getting someone else to take a look at her tongue, just in case. Sometimes even a mild tie can affect feeding. Some babies also have lip ties and other things that can interfere with their ability to suck.
I hope you're able to see the midwives soon!

[OceanPrincess]

The clicking sound could be an indication that she is dealing with your fast flow - some babies do that to regulate the flow. Have you tried hand expressing a little first before trying to attach her?

Otherwise definitely give the baby-led approach a go.

[LuluHB]

My little girl has had an awful attachment right from the start. She never opened her mouth wide and we went to soooooooo many LCs and tried a kazillion different methods but nothing could get her attachment improved and if anything, it went backwards.

I ended up going with the baby led attachment like MadB had said. It took a pretty big leap to try it because I had a fair bit of nipple damage and all her feeds were pretty hellish. It was the best thing we did. her attachment still isn't flash even now, but its a lot better than it was and I get a whole lot less pain.

Good luck.

[Ladylove]

Yes baby led attachment is the best!