Proper Latching and Full Boobs

Can you just give them a wee squeeze around the nipple area just to make that bit smaller for her? I know the first week or so they get so tight and sore but I found if I just (gently) sqeeze around the nipple/areola then it isn't enough to increase supply but it makes it easier for a little mouth to get around.

Oh yeah, and what Chickoin said! Grabbing around the nipple to make a kind of oval shape to make it easier for them to latch is also useful - just make sure you let go once she's properly latched otherwise you could end up with blocked ducts.

AND your supply will naturally settle down in a few weeks anyway - I wouldn't worry about stimulating it too much at this stage. Trust me, too much is better than not enough (and you can take advantage of it to build up a bit of a supply of EBM in the freezer).

Edited by weegee

And what weegee said about what I said, I had to hold my boob with the opposite hand. Just two fingers, one on top of the areola (above bub's top lip) and one under to get it into an easier shape for Jody to get her mouth around, like how you squash a hamburger. I would hold onto it gently for about half of the feed then the boob would be deflated enough for me to let go.
And also what Jo said, it helps to keep baby's nose clear.
The first 2 weeks were the hardest for me but at 3 weeks it all magically got better and now I don't even have to think about latching, Jody just sucks on like a hoover!

ETA, when you feed make sure you aren't touching the back of her head either as it is instinct for them to push back.

Edited by Chickoin

Thanks so much for the replies. I hold my boob as I find if I let go it moves and I feel like she only has nipple in her mouth and not enough areola but the MW said not to hold my boob in case I get blocked ducts. I also have to let her breath as the boob covers her nose.

I think I do hold the back of her head a bit so need to ensure I am not doing that. I will speak to the MW on Tuesday to get her to watch and maybe get an appointment with a LC, I didn't realise you can get a first appointment for free.

Thanks for the comments about Eva too

Ella maybe it is these Feb girl babies, Eva wants to latch herself on all the time, half way through the feed she refuses to open her mouth and just keeps sucking constantly like she is already latched as soon as I put my boob near her mouth! It is like a game of cat and mouse to try and get it in her mouth.

ETA the MW said not to express to get a supply in the freezer as it will make me keep producing more which I don't want. I was quite keen to get a supply in the freezer.

Edited by Mel&Kel

I had the same problems and it does improve.  Also, it might pay to latch her on, once the milk starts flowing off, pull her off for a minute and let some of the milk leak onto a flannel and then relatch her.  That way she isnt getting blasted off!  I have to do that with James.  I also thought that expressing a little off before feeding her if your boobs are really full would be ok.  Once her latching improves the milk will settle down more.  Its always better to have too much than too little (IMO)

My midwife told me to express a little before feeding if it's been a while between feeds and my boobs are really full. It's good to know that everyone has the same problems huh! So important to get them on right as I've discovered the hard way, my nipples are so sore AND I have blocked ducts in both breasts It's so tempting just to let them stay on wrong though when it's middle of the night and you can't stop them crying.

Oh also, Stu pushes off halfway through a feed often too, I chuck him over my shoulder and try to burp him (which it seems I'm not very good at but that's another story) and then go back and he seems to go back on better.

I have wind problems too, I stopped having dairy in case that was making her problems worse, I have found that she is a bit better with winding, haven't tried rubbing the tummy so will try that.

Today I have tried some cheese to see if it makes her worse or if it was just her tummy etc getting use to being used... the MW said she thought it was just her getting used to milk and using her digestive system.