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Your breasts might be too large or too hard for baby to latch on easily right now. Try expressing a bit before latching baby on. As far as latching having baby turned the same way no matter what side you're using. For example. If you do the cross cradle hold on the left, try the football hold on the right so that baby is turning the same way to latch on. Sometimes it just tricks their minds in the right way so they can latch on both sides easily.
Since my milk came in, Latching has become incredibly difficult.
My baby is 5 days old, and before my milk came in, she was latching pretty easily (when we could wake her up... sleeps like a log, just like daddy...)
However, it seems like since my milk came in, getting her to latch is a huge battle! She'll give cues she's hungry; sucking fists, making sucky faces etc, but when I put her on my boob, she pushes it away and puts her hands in the way (she is VERY strong!), cries, then goes back to sucking her fist. If we put a finger in her mouth, she sucks away happily (but obviously, no milk in there!). Also, she seems to like to latch on the left side, and struggles with the right. I even did an experiment of pumping an oz from each boob, and they both gave an oz in less than 10 minutes, with plenty still left in there (dumped it though... don't want to use bottles until she's happy with boobs).
So, the only thing I can think of, is that something to do with my milk is putting her off? Could it be the change from familiar colostrum to this new abundant but different tasting food? It's getting frustrating, because I want to feed her, and she's hungry, but every feed for the last day has been a battle, and my boobs are pretty engorged 😖
Has anyone had a familiar experience? Any advice, or reassurance that it will improve?
--------*UPDATE*-------
Thankyou SO MUCH for your advice! Expressing an oz from each boob really made a difference! Not only was I more comfortable, my daughter latched on with absolutely no crying or struggling! Absolutely straight away! And for each subsequent feed, she's been the same! So yes, turns out I was too engorged and she couldn't get a good latch! I feel so much happier now that feeding time is less of a struggle! 😊 infact, she's actually feeding more as a result, as we're both feeling a little more confident!
I can't believe the difference! Thankyou so much! ❤️
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First.. never dump good milk! Freeze it for later 😉 Second.. you are probably too engorged for baby to latch comfortably. Hand express or pump a bit to soften up.Third.. go to a breastfeeding support group! The ladies there will offer suggestions on holds and check your latch to be sure that everything looks right. It will be worth your time, promise!
Am
You can also make milk baths for baby!
Gi
Yep! I was too engorged! Every feed since I learnt this, had been so much better! Unfortunately, I can't reliably freeze milk :( I live in Bangalore, and we have frequent power outages that can last all day, so fridge/freezer isn't too reliable. If I continue to make too much though, I do plan on donating it. There's bound to be someone locally who wants it, especially as formula is frowned upon here as the water isn't reliable here; can't drink tap water, and bottled water is still not 100% reliable; so making formula milk up is actually a bit risky.
That happened to me because my breasts were too large and heavy for him to latch. I used a nipple shield for 2 weeks until my milk regulated and his mouth got bigger/stronger.
Ch
Oh also football hold worked the best for us at first!
Ch
You can do it! I also have the worlds most hot tempered baby so if he can figure it out... you two can do it! :) i just started feeding without the shield maybe a week ago and have no latch problems anymore. I also don't know how you feel about pacifiers but we use the Soothie one and it helped strengthen his mouth.
Gi
That's two of you who have said the same thing! I'll try expressing some now to take the pressure off and see how that goes :) Thankyou!
Nothing in your milk is putting her off. She can't compare it to anything so it's fine. Babies don't dislike their mothers milk and yours is no different.You are to engorged and it chokes her. Express some before latching so she can get a better grasp.And you may have to unlatch her again when it lets down. Let the spray go into a towel and than relatch. Your supply will start to regulate and this struggle is just temporary.Work with a lactation consultant for some help.And remember bottles aren't recommended to be used for the first 6 weeks until the breastfeeding relationship is firmly established.
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