UPDATE: BF Latch Help

This is my first post on the parenting board. I haven't had time to officially introduce myself yet, but my son Dylan was born last week on March 19th. He is a week and one day old today.

We've been breastfeeding since right after his birth and he's been doing fabulously. We had his one week checkup yesterday and he's already a few oz above his birthweight so the Dr. said he's getting plenty of milk.

My problem is as of last night he won't latch on. Since day one he has had no problem with his latch. It would take him only seconds to be sucking away. Starting with the middle of the night feeding last night and then all his feedings today he is screaming and shaking his head back and forth on my nipple. He'll latch on for a second and then let go. I don't know what to do for him! Its taken more than 1/2 hour to get him latched on each time. I have to keep stopping to calm him down and then he's so exhausted from crying he's falling asleep while he's eating.

Since my milk came in I've been pumping one bottle each day that DH has been giving him at night to give me some uninterrupted sleep. Do you think one bottle a day could be messing him up?

Sorry this is so long but I would appreciate any advice. I want my little man to be able to eat without all this stress.


Update: Its been a terrible night. It took almost two hours to get him latched on yesterday evening. I kept stopping to let him calm down and sleep a few minutes and then we'd try again. Once he got going though he ate like a fiend. But then when he woke up three hours later he wouldn't latch again. We tried on and off for the last three hours and finally I gave him 1 oz breastmilk from a bottle. It had been 6 hours since he'd had anything so I thought if he wasn't starving maybe he would calm down and latch. No luck. I'm going to wake him up in another hour to try again. I think right now he's to exhausted to eat.

Does anyone have a lactation consultant they'd recommend? I want to call someone tomorrow. My little boy needs to eat!

Message edited 3/28/2008 3:27:08 AM.

Re: BF Latch Help

Hmmm...maybe your let down is too fast and he can't keep up? I know that happened with my dd at a few weeks old. Or maybe he's just not hungry. My dd would not latch if she wasn't hungry. Check out www.breastfeedingmadesimple.com
Maybe they'll give tips.

Re: BF Latch Help

I don't have any advice, just wanted to wish you congratulations

ETA: You can also try the Q & A section of Kelly Mom

Message edited 3/27/2008 6:38:27 PM.

Re: BF Latch Help

Maybe he's over hungry? Crying is a late hunger cue does he get that far? Is your let down too fast or to slow? Maybe try pumping for a minute or two before you feed him to prime the source?

We had problems with latching. DD had bottles and still gets them sometimes. We were able to get a successful latch after some work and are still going strong at 7 months.

I worked with a great lactation consultant if you want her info or I can answer any other questions FM me.

Congrats on the birth of your son.

Re: BF Latch Help

first of all Congratulations and welcome to the parenting board.

hmm let me think..are you holding your breast that could help.. (index finger and middle finger nipple in between them) or hold your breast like a cuff and help him latch he will get it just keep trying.

check dr sears website he has such great information.

all i can say is keep trying and he should be able to latch. dont get discouraged then the baby will sense that. just keep putting the baby on your breast and your DC should finally figure it out.

Re: BF Latch Help

Keep trying! Don't give up! It could be the bottle....if you introduce it too early. My dd would fuss with me too. In the beginning I would give her bm in the bottle, when it came to bf she would not want to. It comes very easily from the bottle, while bf they have to work harder for it. DD is now 3months and takes both with no fuss.
Good luck...hope it works out

Re: BF Latch Help

I had trouble latching and I agree that being overly hungry can cause a problemw with latching. I actually had to give DD a bottle for a few minutes before nursing her in the beginning.

If you continue to have troubles, don't hesitate to contact a lactation consultant. I got help and we are still going strong 13 months later.

Re: BF Latch Help

I had similar problems in the beginning but DD seems to be doing great now and we are also supplementing with formula at night before bedtime... don't give up keep trying and DS will get it.

Re: BF Latch Help

I have the same exact issue every night somewhere around 8 p.m. He does the crying and head shaking thing too, DS will be 5 weeks old and usually latches very well - he's a good eater. I think - don't quote me - that he's super tired and therefore is beyond wanting to really eat. I haven't figured out what to do yet. I think that he just might need to suck not eat therefore tomorrow night I am going to try to calm him with a pacifier.

Another thought for you is that it might be nipple confusion or frustration. I have not introduced a bottle yet which I was told to wait at least a month to do because of that reason. Can you try to cut out the bottle feeding for a week or two just to get into the swing of things?

Message edited 3/27/2008 9:06:53 PM.

Re: BF Latch Help

Congrats!!! And welcome!!!!


For me it was too fast of a let down. I had to feed only on one side, then at the next feeding feed from the other side. My DS wouldn't take a bottle at all (still doesn't but we have a wonderful babysitter who found a sippy cup that he will drink from). Hang on, he'll get it.

Re: BF Latch Help

It may be the let down. My let down was very fast and DS would choke.
Another thing is if you are stressed the baby will be stressed. You may want to give the baby to DH when the baby is crying so that you can relax and then try again.
I would hold off on the bottle right now and concentrate on the BFing. I started introducing a bottle at 4 weeks and only 1-2 bottles a week a first and then I built up from there. Remember the baby is new at all this also so maybe nipple confusion is the cause. When BFing is going great then try the bottle again. I know sleep is an issue but it will get better. It takes a lot of committment to bf.
Congrats on the the baby and good luck.

Re: UPDATE: BF Latch Help

I added an update at the top. Any more advice would be very much appreciated.

Re: UPDATE: BF Latch Help

no other advice just hugs and and an all night partner

Re: UPDATE: BF Latch Help

You have FM

Re: UPDATE: BF Latch Help

congralutions on ds!! you're doing a great thing, so keep up the good work.

i recommend you go to a lactation consultant right away. they have amazing knowledge.

not sure where you are located. i went to beverly rae in manhasset, but you can find one here.

good luck!!