5 day old issues latching on - she keeps pushing her tongue to the top of her pallet

[macaret18]

Last Monday our little girl arrived and we’ve been trying to feed her about ever 3 hours. We have an issue with her nearly always putting her tongue to the top of her mouth and kind of sucking her tongue when trying breastfeed. Ideally she should keep her tongue low when latching on. It means nearly all the time she does it this way with no real suction, she soothes herself and gets little milk and just falls asleep. We give her the bottle with expressed milk straight after to feed her up and trying to get her sucking when the tongue is low but it’s tricky. We’ve tried letting her suck our finger and we know she can get her tongue down and latch properly but it doesn’t work most of the time.

Has anyone had this issue or have any tips to help? We live South Warrington and plan to attend NHS breast feeding classes so hopefully we can have some good tips to get it right.

Thanks

[Prosopon]

Hi, I've not had this particular problem so don't have any specific advice for it, but breastfeeding is a skill that both you and your baby need to learn and practice. Therefore it's probably a good idea to encourage her to breastfeed as much as possible so she can get used to it, so maybe keep persevering and don't be so quick to offer a bottle over the breast. Also, have you heard of nipple confusion? As sucking from a bottle is different to sucking from a breast, a baby can get confused and might easily bottle feed, but then struggle to breastfeed. It's definitely worth seeking professional help as soon as you can. I had lots of problems with breastfeeding initially but got help, which resolved a lot of issues. It might also be worth getting her assessed for tongue tie, which can cause problems with latching on. My son had this and it was easily corrected.

Good luck. I hope it gets resolved.

[Seb9]

Hi I would definitely recommend having a look at the la leche league site about positioning and attachment laleche.org.uk/positioning-...

If you're on Facebook I'd also suggest the UK breastfeeding page, lots and lots of helpful ladies in there with a wealth of knowledge.

If you're introducing bottle top ups also have a look at pace feeding, so they don't end up with a preference for the bottle as it's much easier for them than boob.

The best advice I had for breast feeding is that you need to be in a nice chilled out mindset. Try just getting her to latch whenever she gives you hunger cues rather than on a 3 hourly schedule as she has no concept of time. Look for her rooting, sucking hands etc. Try to catch her while she's hungry but before she cries so you can both be relaxed whilst you practice getting a good latch.

I've been breastfeeding my little one for 6 months tomorrow and it does get easier, hang in there and get a much support as you can. Good Luck xx

[macaret18]

Thanks for your prompt replies really helpful. We’ve had some good progress this afternoon, we had another go with the nipple shields following a visit from the midwife and they suggested give them another try. She latched on for about 40mins then again this evening for another 30-40mins. So she’s definitely learning the right way so will move away from the shield gradually.

When she was first born the midwife identified a tongue tie, we had a few midwife meetings over the last few days and we were recommended a lactation consultant who fixed the tongue tie. We felt terrible but she was absolutely not bothered after the procedure. This could have been playing a part in the problems we were having but not too sure.

Hopefully all will be okay now!

Thanks again

[Prosopon in reply to macaret18]

That's good that the tongue tie has been sorted. It can take a while for them to get used to their freer tongue! My son's latch problems didn't resolve immediately, it was a gradual thing. Sounds like you're on the right track.

[Scarlett13]

That’s good you’ve had the tongue tie sorted.

Are you lining up her nose to your nipple, so you see an areola moustache above her top lip?

I would go for a breastfeeding support service to have your positioning looked at and get some advice.

Also I’d wait til 6 to 8 weeks to introduce the bottle so she doesn’t get confused if you can. Well done for persevering. Keep going mummy xxx

[Wondering20]

Great that you got the tongue tie soured so quickly! Sorry I don’t have any advice about your particular problem. But I do know what it’s like struggling with breastfeeding;-

I had reoccurring mastitis without ‘classic’ mastitis signs (both breasts, tried antibiotics twice, was assessed for tongue tie, attended la leche league and saw a breast clinic consultant who’s ‘advice’ to me was, “some women can’t breastfeed”,, “some make a mountain out of a mole hill” 😡) and after struggling solidly for two months and endless arguments with myself (oh, the guilt) I made the hard decision to transition to formula when my baby was 4 months. Getting him to take a bottle was a nightmare but thankfully after ten days of “bottle gate” he took to it like a pro.

I just wanted to say good for you for persevering at this stage and I really hope it all works out! If it doesn’t however, don’t be too hard on yourself, many babies are given formula and are perfectly content and healthy x x

[Hidden]

My son was tongue tied and we had the procedure done privately, like you, when he was 5 days old. We were so worried about getting it done but he barely reacted and it was over in seconds! It took about 3-4 weeks following the procedure, having done the daily tongue exercises with him, for him to develop the capacity to move his tongue in the new ways it could. Then suddenly one day it just clicked and the way he was feeding from me was like night and day in comparison to before the procedure. It was definitely worth it and we’re still breastfeeding comfortably 6 months later. Did you get given details of the tongue exercises?