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KiwiL 
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Joined: 29 December 2006
Location: Wellington, NZ
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 Topic: Teething and latching problems
Posted: 04 July 2011 at 9:02am |
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My little boy (8 months) is having a hard time getting comfortable to breastfeed. I am assuming it is because he is cutting a top tooth, although he didn't have this problem when the bottom two came through a couple of months ago.
It's like feeding a newborn again - I need to help him latch, he slips off the nipple, bobs on and off, squirms etc. He's latching at odd angles, pushing his forehead into my breast but this makes his latch quite shallow. He blames me because every so often he pops off and gives me the filthiest of looks! His feeds are pretty short now as he gets angry, but he's still feeding pretty well over night.
As for me, I am getting a few nips this time but mostly it's not uncomfortable.
Am I right to assume that this will get better with time? Have others experienced this? Or do I need to do something to help.... in which case any tips would be greatly appreciated! I never made it to the teeth stage breastfeeding DS1.
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Bizzy
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Joined: 01 January 1900
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Posted: 04 July 2011 at 12:40pm |
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yep it will pass. they just have to get used to it again with teeth in their mouth. not all teeth will annoy the the same way either.
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KiwiL
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Posted: 05 July 2011 at 10:43am |
Thanks Bizzy. I think #4 is on its way too so this might go on for some time. 
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mothermercury
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Posted: 05 July 2011 at 11:36am |
Yeah, we had a bit of trouble when the top teeth came in, but she soon sorted it out!
Top teeth in particular affect the latch because they suddenly have obstacles in the way of their sucking (whereas the tongue just sits right over the bottom teeth). Sometimes they scrape you a bit while they're getting the hang of the new latch, but it'll come right. 
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Emmi_
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Posted: 05 July 2011 at 1:25pm |
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Yep I found it painful for about 2 weeks after DD got her top (2) teeth. I found that positioning her so that her jaw was more into my breast (so that it took some of the pressure off the other side of my boob where her top teeth were) helped a lot...
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KiwiL
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Posted: 07 July 2011 at 12:30pm |
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Thanks for the replies guys. I am getting stressed as it's getting worse, not better. Like a friend just said, it's like he's not latching at all now - you can't call what he's doing a latch.
Any more experiences would be greatly appreciated as I am starting to feel anxious about it!
He won't latch properly any more. He doesn't really suck and get a seal.... it's more a loose slobber - his tongue moves underneath the nipple, but he sort of chews the nipple with his top gums. Meanwhile I am getting cold air blowing over my nipples which feels revolting and making it all very sensitive and gross. I am getting engorged so he's not taking much.
I am concerned it's becoming a habit that will be hard to break as it's been going on for more than a week now. I am starting to feel really frustrated at him.
Feeling down because every time we seem to get a good run it all flips on its head again.
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Emmi_
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Posted: 07 July 2011 at 12:33pm |
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KL there is the breastfeeding centre in cannons creek, its free and open thurs and fris 10-2. Could you pop down there and get them to help you out? its just walk in, so no need to make an appointment. Or ring LLL, they have some great knowledgeable leaders.
Have you tried expressing a little to start the let down and then try and latch him on? maybe once he realises what your boob is for he will start feeding again?
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KiwiL
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Posted: 07 July 2011 at 12:59pm |
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Yeah, a friend recommended the clinic, so am going to go there tomorrow.
I am letting down ok, he's obviously stimulating enough for that to happen, and I think his technique is getting him *some* milk, but nothing like what he was drinking before.
I would just like him to stop it and get back to being a good boy! It feels so awkward and unpleasant at the moment.
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Shezamumof3
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Posted: 07 July 2011 at 2:22pm |
It can take a while for those teeth to come in so he is probably "latching" on in a way that doesn't cause him so much discomfort, as I imagine sucking when you have sore tender gums would not be nice.
You'll probably find that once the tooth/teeth break through the gum and that real tender feeling is gone he will adjust his latch again back to normal.
Good Luck at the clinic!
Edited by Sheza
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Emmi_
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Posted: 08 July 2011 at 12:26am |
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could try bonjella or a cold carrot stick to chew on before he feeds? it might help ease the pain in his gums letting him feed better? I hope the clinic has something useful for you
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Emmecat
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Posted: 09 July 2011 at 2:23pm |
KL- that sounds like an awesome friend you have there!   Glad everything is better now anyway hun 
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Teething and latching problems
