Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2010 11:32:09 -0400
From: Kathleen Gale <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Barracuda Feeder Hurting Mom
Hi! Ladies,
I have permission to post from mother. My dear daughter-in-law is breastfeeding her 2nd child, who is 5 months old. She has a good milk supply. He has been a barracuda feeder from day one, and she has had many problems with her nipples, including persistent yeast infections and mastitis. Right now, her nipples are fine, except that he bites her off and on, and also pulls back and down while hanging on to her nipple for dear life. I am guessing he is impatient for another MER. The usual methods of taking him off, telling him "NO!, that hurts mommy!" and putting him back on, does not work, because whenever she does anything that HINTS that she is going to take him off, he clamps down even harder, and will not let go. He clamps down before she can get her finger in and around the nipple. He clamps down even if her hand comes near his face.
Mom is at her wits end, and is getting really tired of this constant pain. Does anyone have any suggesstions for ways to get him delatched in a way that won't hurt mom? With just about anything she tries, he bites down harder.
Hoping for some great ideas!
Kathleen L. Gale RN, IBCLC, RLC
Private Practice
Chicago, IL, USA
I have seen this situation in nursing couples and personally experienced a determined barracuda. I highly recommend the phrase used by another LactNet writer today- bring the baby closer to the breast. As the chomping or pulling occurs, gently pull the baby's head closer- even until the nostrils are almost occluded for a moment if needed-they'll get air from the side channels and shouldn't be held there more than a moment to get them to let go. Babies often loosen their grip. The drawback is that mothers need to move quickly because of the pain reaction, but a gentler movement in toward the breast is less likely to trigger a nursing strike or other problem. Another thought: Laid-back breastfeeding might keep the baby from sensing that the breast is falling/being pulled out of his mouth. It might have been more effective if used from the beginning. It won't help with playfulness at the breast, a situation where pulling the baby in closer is more effective in communicating that this doesn't feel good.
Cathy Morris, RN, IBCLC, RLC
Heart of Georgia Healthy Start
Dublin, Georgia
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