breast feeding?

Question

My son is now 5 days old and we are breastfeeding....I was just wondering if there were any tricks on how to get him to latch on a little easier. He seems to have a hard time starting but then is fine once he gets the hang of it. He also favor the right breast over the left. anyway to even it out? I know it's still early but i want to make it as easy as possible!! I've heard of pumping a little out before we feed but he still seems to have a hard time with it. any suggestions of tips that worked for people???

Answer 1

First, make sure that he latches on CORRECTLY each time. Don't let him latch on in a way that will hurt your nipple. If you make him do it correctly each time, it will get easier and easier. Make sure his mouth is wide open and that it doesn't hurt when he nurses.

Babies usually tend to favor one side over the other, I think because mom is more comfortable on one side. Babies sense that. Try to offer the less favorite breast first at every feeding. When he's hungry, he'll be less picky. Make sure you are nursing from both sides. The worst thing that can happen is to nurse from one side while the other gets engorged. This can lead to mastitis, which is very painful. JUST KEEP THE MILK MOVING.

The most important thing to get him latched on is make sure YOU are comfortable. Use a comfortable position, lots of pillows, and get rid of any distractions (like the phone). Be patient and persistent. The first two weeks are the most difficult, but if you are still nursing then, you've got it made. Good luck, and what a great decision you've made!!!

Answer 2

I second the "football" posistion. I found it the easiest to get the most breast in my baby's mouths. Now, envision yourself trying to take an enormous bite of a burger......you kinda tilt it up and towards the back of your mouth right...openinng very wide. So goes this same concept when your baby latches on. There is a sensitive area at the back top of his throat that will initiate the sucking reflex, you have to get your nipple/areola to touch that part. So, when in the FootBall posistion (make sure YOU are comfortable as well, lots of pillows etc), with your left hand guiding baby's head and the right hand cupping your breast (this is a right sided breast example), "feed" your baby your nipple/areola. Try and angle upwards to get that sensitve area. As always, wait until your baby has opened his mouth really wide. Ensure that both his lips are flanged outwards and not sucked in at all. There should be no "clicking" noises, which would indicate some air breaking the seal around his lips.

Remember, he is still little and this will take some time for both of you to learn.

Here are some keys to help you:

-nurse on demand and DON"T look at the clock....practice makes perfect

-don't take advice from anyone who hasn't nursed successfully for at least 6mo

-build a supportive help group, like La Leche League, you can attend their monthly meetings for free and its a great way to make friends and connect with other nursing Moms

Answer 3

As far as preferring one side over the other - always start on the non-preferred side. I did that and it helped. As far as latching... 5 days is really early!!! He will get the hang of it pretty soon. I remember it taking a few weeks before both me and my son got the swing of it completely! If he can latch without pumping, don't worry about it. That is only if you are tooooo full for him to get any grip at all. Hang in there!! Good luck!!

Answer 4

A nurse told me to bring the baby to the breast and (i kid you not) "Smoosh!" the baby on. Smooshing worked once I firgured out what position was best for baby.
My daughter also had trouble latching onto one breast because of the size, until her mouth got bigger we just did the best we could and now there are no problems at all, she knows what to do and how to do it and stay out of her way.
The best I can suggest is to keep trying to get him on right and not give up - Breast feeding is amazingly hard.

Answer 5

Firstly well done on breast feeding! The first trick is to let him come to the breast by expressing a little...he will then smell it and come toward the breast...If you want to even out the breast offer him the left in a different position and trust me if he's hungry he will suckle....support bubba with a pillow and experiment to see which position is best. Good Luck.

Answer 6

Try holding him in a different position for feeding, my daughter used to like the football position for the left but not for the right.
As for latching on, I think he just needs a little more practice.

Answer 7

I visited a lactation consultant for hands on help when my baby was a newborn.