My daughter is now 4 days old and I am nursing, but I can not seem to get enough of my nipple in her mouth, I hear a clicking sound when she is sucking and she is gas-y from the air. I had no prob with my first but I know I am not latching her on correctly, but I just can not figure out how to get her to open wide and not pierce her lips tight when I go to push more in... if anyone can help me and my nipples would be very greatful.
2007-12-07 05:31:16 · 7 answers · asked by Melissa S 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
It can be easier to get a proper latch on a newborn with the foot ball hold.
Get a small pillow and put it beside you on the sofa. Sit baby's butt on it and hold her shoulders and neck in one hand. Work your boob with the other.
Tickle her upper lip with your nipple (you can help her get a better latch by firming your nipple up for her by pinching or rubbing it) when she opens for it say "big mouth" or "open big" (even at this age you can start to teach them how to associate words with actions- mostly it helps you remember to do it as she grows) force her head towards the bottom part of you areola and then tilt it back a little so her jaw is forced open on your nipple. once she's got a big mouth stick her on completely.
You want as much of the BOTTOM of the nipple in as possible. As much of the dark skin as you can get- not the top. I made that mistake for the first 3 weeks of nursing... it took 3 months for my nipples to recover.
Get some lanolin and put it on after each feeding, not too much, but enough to coat it well. You can wipe off the excess before feeding, and whats left will not effect her in any way. It will help keep your nipples from getting overly sore as she's perfecting her latch on.
Give her time, in a couple weeks she will be stronger and better, and you'll be calmer and more confident.
You are doing a GREAT job. You can ALWAYS go talk to the lactation consultant at the ward where you gave birth, they will help you with this problem- or even contact a local le leche leage leader.
2007-12-07 05:38:33 · answer #1 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 9⤊ 0⤋
Do you find that the baby's head is always facing one direction or that the baby prefers to look in only 1 direction. My baby tended to only look to the left (which I didn't notice) and was having trouble opening her mouth wide enough to latch. Turns out she had a condition that prevented her from opening her mouth wide enough to latch (even though she could yawn quite wide) and so nursing was very painful and terrible. Try talking to the doctor and asking if the baby has torticollis.
2016-05-22 00:47:44 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes it helps to sort of gently pull down on her bottom lip and jaw after she has latched on. It will get better soon. I'm currently nursing my 3rd baby and the first couple of weeks were a little rough because she had such a tiny mouth but she grew and I toughened up and now we are 4 months in and doing great!
2007-12-07 07:05:45 · answer #3 · answered by dolfin426 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use a nipple shield...it forces them to open wide enough to get that in their mouths and it has helped me with the pain that comes along with breastfeeding...good luck!
2007-12-07 06:57:25 · answer #4 · answered by Michelle M 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
tickle the side of her mouth with your finger. or put sugar water on your nipple. thats what worked for me. good luck
2007-12-07 05:36:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
tickle her chin, and when her mouth is open wide stick her on...
2007-12-07 05:36:25 · answer #6 · answered by liv t 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
gently ride ur (clean) finger around her lips... when she opens, slam her on, dont be shy... just pretend she is your new bf and u want it bad...
2007-12-07 05:47:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 7⤋