Late Preterm Troubles

Have you tried nipple shields?

@Paula yes, and they seem to be very hit or miss.

That was one of the only things that helped my baby latch properly

Have you tried what they call the hamburger squeeze between 2 fingers

@Paula with my first, the nipple shield was something I used heavily that helped with his latch and stifle my letdown so he wouldn’t choke. I had hope maybe it would help my daughter but sometimes it does and others she’s still struggling to latch. I appreciate the suggestion though! Thank you

@Hevan I have, but sometimes I feel like I end up spending more time unlatching and relatching her because of her shallow latch. Possible that it’s user error and maybe I’m not holding it correctly? I’m unsure

Have you tried different positions? The first one that got my boy to latch was “football hold”

@Jasmine i had that problem with my LO (never on bottle) she still sometimes comes off alot (born at 38 weeks she is now 7weeks old). It's a learning curve for both of you, I know it can be frustrating but sometimes that is also just them learning to latch. What i do when she bounces is squeeze milk into her mouth and insure you are tummy to tummy when latching sometimes you need to use your breast and hand to keep them on if they bob alot. Not like press them on hard but encouraging a stable head to prevent bob

@Paula funny enough, football hold is the only one that worked on my right side. She will lay normally to feed on my left. Nighttime seems to be when she struggles the most to latch regardless of hold, thus I usually have my partner prepare a bottle of my milk to save me and my daughter from a headache and a half

@Hevan I just sometimes feel guilty and frustrated at myself because I enjoy the bond that happens when you breastfeed but I feel like I’m causing her stress and doing everything wrong somehow. I appreciate the suggestion!

@Jasmine night time may be she is extra sleepy try making sure she is awake. Rub her foot hand chest pick her up wet wipe then blow i hated it but sometimes if you can get them upset and whining you can put it in there so thier mouth is wide open more of a latch that way. I also have laid on my back laid her on my stomach belly to belly and latch that way. (If you produce well she could be having a had time to if you have a strong let down she could be letting go and not staying latched bc she is getting alot really fast and making her let go) if that makes since

Has the pediatrician evaluated to see if she needs the tongue tie released? I would suggest that, as well as remembering to give yourself some grace with this. It’s hard to have a preemie/NICU baby and there are trials and tribulations that you don’t expect. Take it one day at a time ❤️