Latching problems

Hiya, no advice here, I'm afraid, but I would reach out to the lactation consultant team through the Health Visitors, if available in your area. If this is not a viable route, then I would contact the local breastfeeding support group (mine are on Facebook). I have read so many success stories on turning around rocky starting breastfeeding stories. I hope you two can work it out 💚

Hi, recommend seeing if there is a local breast feeding support group that you could attend! They are very helpful and will be able you in the sessions I too use nipple shields as my little one was finding it hard to latch to my soft nipples and I attend these classes to help the latch without and have been successful a few time by myself😊

Hi my baby was also taken straight to NICU and I started using nipple shields at 2 weeks old. Because my baby was so premature he found it hard to suck for a while. For us it was best to alternate feeds with a mixture of breastfeeding with and without the shield and also using bottles. When baby is just about hungry and calm (not starving and crying) try using the shield to begin with and take it off during the feed. You might have to put it back on again and that’s okay, it will take you and baby some practice. When not using the shield make sure your nipple is not flat. Place 1 finger at the top of your nipple and 1 finger at the bottom and push in gently to create a hardened nipple. (I watched a video online). I also found it helpful to “make a burger” with my breast. Forming a c shape with my hand and cupping my breast, this made it easier for baby to fit all of my nipple in his mouth rather than just the tip. (I watched a video online). (Part 1)

You need to make sure that you and baby are both comfortable during the feed. I had to try so many different positions until we found the one that works for us. I fully stopped using the shield at around 4 weeks old. We used bottles for every other feed due to my baby getting tired and losing weight from breastfeeding. It’s also best for when baby is really hungry and needs food instantly. At 6 weeks old we’re now down to only 2 bottles (for night feeds). It will take time and that’s okay! I spent many days crying because my baby couldn’t latch. So please find a feeding consultant in your area if you need to! You’re doing your best and that’s what matters! Good luck! (Part 2)