Breastfeeding being downplayed

Heartbreaking

I wanted to share this to show why breastfeeding education is so important (especially in a South African context where poverty is a way of life)
www.whale.to/w/baby_milk2.html

I think you mentioned this... Does he not hava a toungue tie? In which case it would be difficult for his lip to go out.... I have a vague recolection of you mentioning this and saying you didnt want to get it snipped.....

What happens when you try latch him when he is half asleep? and less inclined to fight? I know there are ladies who have induced lactation after adopting who have success latching like this...

Oh ja, and to help 'tan the hide' my sister's friend, who's a midwife, suggested to place black tea bags on your nipples between feeds. You can also cover them with icing sugar for a while. Obviously wipe it off before a feed. Both home remedies did help me a little. And then there's of course the soft laser.

Meags, how do your breasts feel when you try to latch him? Are they hard or engorged? My lactation consultant told me "Imagine latching on to a knee cap, not very nice!" lol...Just trying to help identify the problem. If that's the case you could maybe try and 'prime' your breast by (hand)expressing a little before you latch him? Keep the vaccum cleaner running while you do it so he doesn't get hysterical

Hope the LLL lady will be able to help you!

Claudia I tried now with the shield and it doesnt make a difference. He is almost clamping down and gumming the areola with his bottom lip tucked in. I tried rolling it out and its impossible!!! It doesnt roll out at all!

I dont like using the supplemental feeder as I have a very small window frame to get M onto the breast before he is hysterical and I find the tube a mission to get into place and by the time its all sorted, he is beyond hysterical and there's no way he'll latch. Also, the milk ends up dripping all over the place until he has latched (getting him to latch can take a couple of minutes)

Yes he has a dummy - only to go to sleep. Then he usually spits it out within 5-10 minutes of being asleep

Shame meags - but you gotta look at this from your babas point of veiw. With a bottle it flows out with no effort on his part, at the breast he has to work for it...so its easier for him to take the bottle:)

Just a question? Does he get a dummy?

Also have you tried a supplemental nursing system? Also (and I dont usually advocae these) maybe a nipple sheild would help - it would feel more like a bottle teat to him, plus would give your breasts a rest...

Hope the leleche lady can help...