Latch issues - need help

tlcdoula · 11-02-2006, 09:07 PM

I have a mama who gave birth on the 14th of October who is having some latch issues with her son. She said that she is having an issue getting him to open his mouth wide enough. He is gaining weight properly, but she says that her nipples feel sore at times and it feels like he is more gnawing on her nipple (this is her second child and nursed successfully with her first).

Any ideas ladies? Any resources either online or in a book that I can pass along to her? She has done many searches and hasn't gotten too far and she said she also contacted a lactation consultant who said she has nothing to offer the mom (this was the hospital LC).

MamaBean · 11-02-2006, 10:54 PM

All I can suggest is when she feels he is latched incorrectly, she needs to break the latch. This may happen many times per feeding, but baby will eventually catch on. Has she checked to make sure babe isn't tongue tied?

tlcdoula · 11-03-2006, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MamaBean

All I can suggest is when she feels he is latched incorrectly, she needs to break the latch. This may happen many times per feeding, but baby will eventually catch on. Has she checked to make sure babe isn't tongue tied?

She does break contact and I forgot to ask about a tight fenulum - honestly I should have done so - my ds had it. Ugghhh, I will ask her today and see what she says.

Acacia · 11-03-2006, 09:08 AM

Jack newman has a new video out that is fabulous. I watched it at my DONA training. It suggests a cross cradle hold. Hold baby's head with the left hand , cup breast in the right hand and bring baby to the breast. do a gentle squeeze of the breast to give the baby some milk to entice him to latch. you want to make sure the nipple is going into the mouth pointing up toward the roof of the mouth. Check dr newmans webste...maybe there will be something helpful there?

tlcdoula · 11-03-2006, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acacia

Jack newman has a new video out that is fabulous. I watched it at my DONA training. It suggests a cross cradle hold. Hold baby's head with the left hand , cup breast in the right hand and bring baby to the breast. do a gentle squeeze of the breast to give the baby some milk to entice him to latch. you want to make sure the nipple is going into the mouth pointing up toward the roof of the mouth. Check dr newmans webste...maybe there will be something helpful there?

Thanks I will do that.

heathenmamaof5 · 11-03-2006, 12:55 PM

Play "ahhhhh" with the baby. Newborns will mimic our facial expressions so you know how the Dr says "say ahhhh" to look at our throat? Do this with babe anytime he is awake and alert and have all family members do it when they're holding babe. Did that make any sense at all?

Stacie · 11-03-2006, 04:53 PM

cami · 11-08-2006, 12:28 PM

I recently went to a conference with Dr. Jack Newman. I was very impressed! He has a web site www.drjacknewman.com I believe he doesn't recommend breaking the lactch to correct it, but latch is key. There are handout you can print out and also images to view. I bought the Visual Guide to Breastfeeding and it is a must have!! This DVD is the best thing I've bought for my business. I have lent it to 2 clients and they loved it, really answered a lot of questions. I have gone through breastfeeding training and spent 9 years of my life nursing my now 6 children and I learned stuff.