We are spending an extended weekend at Lake Eufala visiting our friends & we are having a great time... I'll post all about it when we get home. This post is for those of you experienced in the art of nursing. Milo & I have come to another stumbling block in our little cuddle time (for some reason I have lots of those while nursing my kids... better luck next time.) I'm not sure there is a pleasant way to go about posting the details of our situation without someone thinking it's a little TMI. So if you choose to continue reading this post, consider yourself warned!! If you are up for reading on, please offer up any advice or suggestions...
On Thursday I noticed some discomfort while nursing, but didn't think much of it. Over the next 2 days it got worse & I went back & forth determining the cause. I thought we were on the mend with the aid of a Rx, but nope. I am thinking that Milo has probably always had a bad latch, but now that he has 6 teeth fully in, it's caused a problem. Those little chompers are digging in(I'll save you the details of the exact location on my software) It is split right where his teeth are & has been near bleeding for a day now, & one side finally started bleeding today. To survive a feeding I have been forcing a different, higher latch. And it's working, it is helping with the pain, but not with the fact that it's such a tight seal I get teeth marks... now they are just higher up. This process seems to help most of the time, on the non bleeding side, but he tries to push away while nursing, so it really is a bit of a battle.
My software needs a break to heal, but obviously for supply reasons that can't happen. Milo is 10 months & we had been slowly weaning him down to 3 feedings. We have been slowly introducing him to cow's milk with a sip here & there in the last week, & he is doing good. I don't want to give him formula (I don't even have a good reason why not, I just don't want to.) I don't want to throw in the towel & quit either. I want to try every possible thing, so if I do end up weaning him, I'll know I've tried it all. Any advice or suggestions?!? And What's up with his teeth digging in? Is this something I can do to stop/help or no?
6 comments:
Megan you are just an AWESOME Mom. I probably would have given up nursing by now. It sounds like you are doing all that you can do to still nurse Milo and keep yourself somewhat comfortable. I am sorry that I really don't have much advice for you.
We used a shield in the beginning for some latching issues...Cora's mouth was too small to get enough of my "software" in to be efficient. I haven't ever been to the teeth stage you are in, but I know that a shield will give you time time to heal, and it also forces mouths to open WIDE, which might help with the teeth digging in. And maybe one more thing...a different position??? He might latch on in a more comfortable way.
Okay, I just consulted my copy of "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" (given to me by an 11 year veteran La Leche League leader) when I remembered something my Lactation Consultant said...Have you tried compression? "Sandwich" your goods in one hand (thumb on one side fingers on the rest) to make it flatter. Your thumb and fingers should be parallel with his lips. He'll be able to get more in his mouth, so perhaps most of your nipple will be behind his teeth. I think I'm officially done now. ;)
I think a nipple shield is your best bet. Do you pump? If Milo takes a bottle sometimes pumping is more gentle. Good luck. That is not fun!
Wow, I feel for you. Kate's teeth have not been fun for me either, but I don't have it quite so bad as you. When she does chomp down, I just try to change her angle a little so she can't dig her teeth into me as well. When it's really bad, I just cut her off and give her a sippy of water. Maybe that's bad, but it seems like she nurses better when she's really hungry. I figure as long as she has at least one good long nurse a day, she'll be ok. Maybe that's bad...
Our pediatrician said Kate could have cow's milk starting at 11 months, so that's what I've been counting down to. I know a few moms who weaned their babies straight to cow's milk when they were 10 months old and they were fine. I'd try a nipple shield until you're ready to wean him if I were you. Good luck! Let me know what works!
On another note, Chris wants to know how Jeff's fescue is holding up in the heat. Our bermuda is kickin'! :)
You might want to try a nipple shield. I know that really worked for one of my friends. Good luck, hope you heal soon.
Formula has a lot more nutrients than cow's milk even if it is smellier and more expensive it is better for the baby. I'd start pumping and feeding breastmilk to Milo in a bottle or sippy cup if I were you.
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