I know I’ve not been around much, been busy sorting things out after the flooding, but I need some bf advice please.

DD’s inherited my big teeth.  Her front teeth stick out in front of her others, and no she doesn’t suck her thumb, it just runs in my family!  She’s got 3 full size bottom teeth and 3 full size top teeth, plus three more top trying to come through.  I’m really struggling to feed her, I’m finding it really painful.  She has bit me occasionally when she’s feeding recently, I thought it was probably due to teething pain.  But even when she isn’t biting I can feel all her teeth, some are quite scratchy, but I also feel like I’m being chewed a bit!  I’ve literally been in tears trying to feed her.  I was going to try expressing, but my milk supply is low because I’m stressed and probably not eating well enough and keep forgetting to take vitamins.  I’d also have to hand express now as I had to throw away my pump because it was in a drawer under my bed when my flat flooded. I can hand express ok, but only about 2oz usually.  Today I hand expressed a bit and I actually bought some formula for the first time ever and mixed that in with it, let her have some of that and then finish on the breast so she could easily go to sleep (sleeping is also a problem at the mo due to circumstances from flooding).  I know that my supply being low isn’t helping because she gets frustrated and squeezes my boob with her fingers.

I do want to go back to breastfeeding fully, although I have ordered a breast pump from Amazon due to come mon or tues.

Has anyone got any advice though on how to make it more comfortable?

Hi, sorry things aren’t going smoothly :( sending hugs xxx

try milk maid tea, it worked a treat for me, and would be worth a go if you’re desperate, it helped me through 3 weeks of not being able to feed at all, but I know everyone is different!

Could you try bonjela or something on you first then wipe off when it’s worked and then feed? No idea how this would affect taste or if it would pass on though!!

Good luck xxx

Having fed a child right to the age of 5, I can say that if they’re latched right you shouldn’t be able to feel their teeth to that extent. It often seems to be the case that as they get older and especially as they’re teething little ones can get lazy with the latch, especially when feeding for comfort. Go back to basics with positioning. If it hurts, take her off and re-position properly like you would have in the early days. It can seem a faff but can be a real lifesaver. *hugs* you’re doing really really well!

Julysea - 07 July 2012 10:21 AM

Having fed a child right to the age of 5, I can say that if they’re latched right you shouldn’t be able to feel their teeth to that extent. It often seems to be the case that as they get older and especially as they’re teething little ones can get lazy with the latch, especially when feeding for comfort. Go back to basics with positioning. If it hurts, take her off and re-position properly like you would have in the early days. It can seem a faff but can be a real lifesaver. *hugs* you’re doing really really well!

She moves around so much while feeding.  I even find it hard to take her off because one arm’s holding her, the other arm’s holding her head so she doesn’t pull my nipple off!!  It does feel like feeding a newborn again though, except a bigger, heavier, wrigglier one!

I realised last night that she doesn’t really have any toys to chew on anymore.  That’s probably not helping.

I’ve noticed I can feel her bottom teeth.  I’m pretty sure I shouldn’t feel them?

Yes, you’re right. If you can feel her bottom teeth then she’s slid down the nipple and hasn’t got a big enough mouthful of the surroudning breast tissue. The chances are she isn’t really feeding for hunger at times, more nibbling for comfort. Can you try putting a knuckle in her mouth and seeing if chewing on that helps. There should be some Bf counsellors on here who can give better advice. Also, trying different feeding positions can help - maybe try standing her between your legs as you kneel or sit, yhaving to stand might astop other wriggling.