Expert: ruth kraft - 5/30/2009

Question
Hi there, my baby is 9 days old.  I really want to breastfeed but she just isn't
latching properly.  In the hospital she had latched on wrong and damaged my
hardware so  I had been using a pump because feeding her was just to
painful.  Now that I am healed up I'm having problems getting her to latch.  
She sucks for a few seconds and then just licks or sticks her fingers in her
mouth.  Once a day she might suck for 10minutes but I know it's not a very
good latch because she won't put enough of it in her mouth.  Also, she only
has interest in the left one and won't be bothered by the right one ... any
ideas?

Answer
call the lactation consultant at the hospital and have them eveluate the latch. this is a problem that needs to be fixed in person as its a latch one. you can also find free help in person on www.lll.org . find a local councelor and do a home visit with her for free. it will be the best time you have ever spent to get this under control.

it also very normal for a baby to get attatched to one side more than another. they pick favorites :)

good luck!