All the issues sound so familiar. I used to swear blue murder when DD fed from the left. ouch. I always got a lipstick shape on that side and cracks etc. I don't know if I ever 'fixed' the problem, she just got bigger and better and I got used to holding her so it didn't hurt as much, then one day....magic...I could feed without pain. It took about 3-4 weeks though.
Its tricky with the let-down stuff, but all that suck, suck stop. Wait. Suck, suck stop. wait. suck suck swallow, suck, swallow etc, then eventually flutter tongue sounds perfect. Its the song of a breastfed bub!
To get a 5 hour stretch overnight is AMAZING! I still don't get that some nights!
Argh I was ready to kill her last night - she just wouldn't open her mouth very wide, so of course was causing me pain!!! I had the nipple shields on last night, and it was only just tolerable - but god I just need this kid to open her bloody mouth!!!! I rang the ABA last night, and they said that they couldn't give me much advice without seeing me but that the clicking sound I heard was because she had poor attachment. Yup, I know she has poor attachment, thats why I'm calling... LOL
I've tried tapping her chin with my nipple to get her to open her mouth further, it worked ONCE, and last night it was just crap crap crap. I was swearing and everything and DH was trying to help me get her attached. I think we went to bed at 11, and I fed her then, but she wasn't interested in feeding, she would just sit there with it in her mouth and not suck, so I just put her on the dummy and patted her to sleep, then she woke up at 4am, and I fed her (well TRIED to do it properly, but she wouldn't open her mouth properly) and then she woke up again at 5, but DH got her back to sleep with her dummy - and then she was up at 7 for a feed. So I *think* I fed her at 9.30 or something, and she went till 4 basically - so I think she is getting enough? Hard to tell when she's not attaching properly.
So I'm tossing up whether to get an LC to come out, because the only problem we have at the moment is that she won't open her mouth wide enough - not sure if they can fix that OR if its something I just need her to get bigger to fix?
Hang in there, you are doing so well... I personally think you should get the LC... They will have ways of helping get you attached. My thought though is, have you tired baby lead attachment, wait till she is hungry and bobbing her head round like a little bird, let the girls free, nude her up and pop her in the vicinity and let her bob her head round till she finds the boob... DS and I had lots of trouble attaching in the early days, and when I let DS find his way, he opened up correctly and we never looked back.
Anyway, not sure if it will work for you, but wanted to offer my support and encouragement... God luck hun. xoxo
Have you tried using a finger to pull her chin down a bit further? I used to do it with Jesse. Just to hold his mouth open a bit while I get the nipple in.
Have you tried expressing a bit so your boobs aren't as full? Then you could try, umm, kinda flattening the nipple to go in her mouth iykwim. Squeezing it a bit to make it an easier shape to fit more in? Does that make sense at all?
Your doing great hun. We are all here with you & we've all been there too An LC would be a great idea x
Sterla - yeah I might contact you if you still have those numbers? Or do I just google?
MR - yeah they aren't too damaged at the moment, a hell of a lot better than it was with Aricyn I can tell you!!!! Most of the time by the end of the feed the pain is gone, unless she moves, and changes position (even though I have my hand behind her head she can do this) and then there is fresh pain.
Ruf - yeah she's sometimes tried to get on herself, but then its even worse cos she just sorta grabs my nipple and sucks really hard through tight lips - she doesn't open at all!!! She's a monster I tell ya.
Skye - my boobs aren't engorged at all anymore, they're just big, but they aren't rock hard so I don't know if expressing will make a difference? Oh, and I've tried pulling her chin down with my finger - I swear this kid has super human strength or lock jaw cos I can't move it at all!!!! She's a stubborn nut... don't know WHERE she gets that from.....
Ahh well, think she needs another feed. Here I go.
Just wanted to say that all the issues you've described sound perfectly normal. It's such a learning curve for the both of you!
I'm another who has always just fed from one side at a time. Very occasionally I'll offer the other, but not often - and as you have seen, DS is perfectly happy and healthy . I think our boobs just adjust to however we feed our LOs.
Remember I'm here if you need me, and the LCs I've seen locally were fantastic, so don't hesitate to get in contact with one if you want/need .
Mel. My suggestion is that you do see an LC. The problem with poor attachment is that your nipples can get damaged and then you have extra pain, and everything takes longer to get fixed. A lot of the time an LC can get you back on track before it gets worse. There are no guarantees but if it was me I would think it would be worth a try.
you're a super star!
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but that the clicking sound I heard was because she had poor attachment. Yup, I know she has poor attachment, thats why I'm calling... LOL
Hang in there, you are doing so well... I personally think you should get the LC... They will have ways of helping get you attached. My thought though is, have you tired baby lead attachment, wait till she is hungry and bobbing her head round like a little bird, let the girls free, nude her up and pop her in the vicinity and let her bob her head round till she finds the boob... DS and I had lots of trouble attaching in the early days, and when I let DS find his way, he opened up correctly and we never looked back. 
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