Question for Barb and anyone else that can help!

[Jennifer13]

Have you tried baby-led attachment on that side - say in the bath where you can both be relaxed, or warm in bed?

[Hollybolly]

Thanks girls!
I tried the football hold this morning & it worked
Tried again at lunchtime, worked again, but at the 4pm feed he wouldnt have a bar of it

I don't think its the side so much as the nipple - when the shield is on, he's fine.. only when its off.
He's trying really hard, but just can't seem to "find it" everytime - only sometimes - I think its a matter of trying each time & eventually finding the right position that I'm holding him in.

I'll see how it goes over the next week - I got so excited when the football hold worked

ETA - Jen, I've tried when we've had cuddles etc (not at feeding time) & he seems to want to lick it & play around with it - just not get a hold of it

[MantaRay]

That's great news Holly. Sometimes it can help to look at your breasts in the mirror to see which way the nipple points, and then try to attach in front of the mirror as well. Sometimes it helps to visualise the way you need to adjust the hold for the nipple.

[Hollybolly]

Just wanted to update - we're getting there!
We've had a shield-less day today

I figured out that it wasn't so much the side - my nipple on the right side doesn't seem to come out as quickly as the left.
I started by letting him use the shield to draw the nipple out & once I felt the let down, took the shield off & he's been fine

Today he's fed without the shield - I've just manually massaged my breast slightly before feeding on that side enough for him to find something to latch on to!
I'm hoping I've done it right!

We've had a couple of issues where he hasn't quite taken enough of the breast in his mouth initially, but we're getting there.

If he doesn't latch on properly at first, is it the right thing to do to unattach him & then reattach until its right?
This is what I've done - I just don't want to do it if its not the right thing & I end up turning him off it again, if that makes sense?!

Thanks girls

[Kmn]

It is crucial to reattach until it is right - otherwise you are risking very sore and damaged nipples, and your cries of "ow" will put him off much more than reattaching!
His mouth will grow bigger and stronger - so this should become less of an issue too
well done you!