How can I get my baby to latch on properly during breastfeeding?

Question

I have been breastfeeding my newborn for the past 5 weeks and am still finding it very uncomfortable and painful on my nipples because I just can't get my baby to latch on to the breast properly. It has become almost unbearable to nurse him, but no matter how hard I try I am unable to make him take more of the aereola in his mouth when he nurses. He is basically suckling only on the nipple, which is very painful.

How can I get him to open his mouth wider and accept a 'mouthful' of my breast, rather than taking only the nipple? Times that I have managed to get him latched comfortably he squirms away until just the nipple is in his mouth again.

He is getting plenty of milk, and is gaining weight very well, it's just that the pain from feeding him is so great that I can hardly stand it. I have no access to a lactation consultant for help, and I'm at my wits end. I don't want to give up on breastfeeding, but I don't know how much longer I can. Please help!

I thought I would mention that my baby learned to bottle feed before the breast, for the first week of his life, as he was in the NICU with an infection. Perhaps this is the reason for his bad nipple-suckling habit?

Also, I live in Finland so my access to professional help and advice is rather limited by the language barrier (I speak only English). My son's pediatrician and nurses, as well the staff at the hospital and my women's health clinic speak very limited English and we've been unable to get adequate help with the breastfeeding issues.

Unfortunately, La Leche League isn't much of a local option, either, though I have found some great advice from the website.

I appreciate all of the suggestions so far!

Answer 1

Pull his chin down with your thumb, as he opens his mouth the widest, clamp (for want of a better word!) to the breast quite firmly and quickly put your hand behind his head to keep him there, ensuring that his nose is not smothered. Bring him to the breast from underneath, not straight on, so that some of the weight of the breast is keeping his chin down/mouth open too. Don't let him "nipple feed" you will end up blistered and bleeding if you do. You may have to resort to a breast-pump and soft -teat bottles. I'm not an expert, but I've had 3 babies (my youngest is now 2) and I had problems the first time around. If I hadn't had the help of a night midwife in the hospital, I would have given up on day 4! You are doing well to persevere this long. I'll put you on my watch-list in case you ask anything further. The very best of luck.

Edit: having read your more recent comments - my second child was in SCBU (special care) for a week and first fed on a bottle both formula and expressed milk. He was also given a pacifier with my permission, to encourage the sucking reflex. My third child was in SCBU for 14 days and was fed through a tube, then both bottles and breastfeeds. She was tiny so breastfeeding wasn't an option initially, but she did manage it before we were discharged.
If your son can open his mouth wide when he yells, then he can do it to feed. Its a much stronger jaw action he requires to breastfeed. Hold him firmly once in position and don't let go even if he squirms, he should get the hang of it. The bottle is easier so he may just be expecting more of the same. You shouldn't have to endure the pain of this so may have to resort to expressing your milk and bottle feeding him with it. If I think of anything else that might help. I'll come back to you. You're on my "watchlist". Best of luck.

Answer 2

The only way I knew how was to tickle his mouth and he would open really wide, then I really quick shoved the whole thing in.
Don't allow him to keep eating with just the nipple--the problem is, he's learned that way now, and you have to break him of it by taking it out of his mouht (gently...us your finger to break the suction and pull it out fast). I know it sounds bad but you have to or you'll have the sorest nipples and want to quit nursing FAST.
Also, try pinching your breast between your first two fingers and your thumb, so it is more flat and fits in his mouth better when he first latches on. My son did better when I did that.
Also, make sure there is no weight frmo your breast on his chin. If there is, that might be keeping him from opening up his mouth much.
If you don't mind calling a nursing help line I know one in my town (it's not like they ask where you live anyway). I can give you their number. You could aslo ask your pediatrician or a nurse in the office--they sometimes can help, too.
PS--If you haven't already buy some lanolin cream!!!
Good luck!

Answer 3

Oh, that does hurt! My daughter did the same thing. You basically need to retrain him to latch on properly. Make sure you hold him so his whole body is turned all the way toward you (not just his head). Wait until he opens his mouth really wide and then quickly pull him in very close. If he squirms away and tries to nurse on just the nipple, stop him immediately and try again. You will probably have to stop and restart a few times at each feeding until he gets the idea.

Lansinoh, applied after each feeding, will help with the soreness.

Do you have a La Leche League group in your area? They can be really helpful.

Here's some good info:

http://askdrsears.com/html/2/T021000.asp
http://llli.org/FAQ/positioning.html

Answer 4

Go to this website and check out the videos showing how to get a good latch. Also look at the "When Latching" article there. Dr. Jack Newman is the BEST for breast feeding advice!

http://www.thebirthden.com/Newman.html