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Post by Blighted Ovum Board Admin on Oct 7, 2008 10:27:41 GMT -5
Please add suggestions and advice for those having trouble with this.
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Post by carmenivy on Dec 30, 2008 23:12:49 GMT -5
You have to have lots and lots of patience - both for yourself and for your baby. Newborns need time to figure out how to latch on. It seems like they should just know how to do it, but that's not always the case.
With Holden I "teased" his mouth with the nipple until he opened up really wide, then I brought him in close. It only works when the baby has his or her mouth open wide. If the baby has only the end of your nipple, gently break the suction by putting your finger between the corner of baby's mouth and your nipple. Another way to break the suction is to push down slowly and gently on your skin, away from the baby's mouth. Try again, this time gently placing more of your areola in baby's mouth.
Also, breastfeeding hurt me for a few days even when Holden was latched on correctly. Sometimes it hurt horribly, but then I found out he had thrush and it had contaminated us both. If you are really serious about wanting to breastfeed, don't expect it to be perfect and easy right away. But in the long run, not only is it great for your baby, but it is SO much easier in the middle of the night. It was a struggle to get it right this time, but it was worth it.
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