I have a question that I hope some of the people with more experience out
there can help me with. Last week I saw a mother who is now 7 weeks
post-partum.  She bottle fed the first 2 weeks (did not initially want to
bf) At 2 weeks she desired to bf (? baby did "not like" formula).  She has
been breastfeeding since but is experiencing a lot of nipple trauma such
that she is considering changing exclusively to pumping & giving breastmilk
in bottles due to the pain (she has been doing both recently). Baby does not
latch correctly - will not open mouth widely.  She has seen 2 LC's in the
area because of this problem and can't seem to overcome it despite trying
many different things suggested (positioning, expressing sm amount milk
first to get let down etc). Now has "deep" breast pain / red traumatized
nipples.  I treated both mom & baby for thrush but feel the underlying
problem is still the latch.  The baby has a strong suck but will not open.
Mom has great supply. She states that she breaks suction & has baby relatch
repeatedly but is frustrated because baby does not seem to be "learning". I
have refered her to LLL but am wondering if there is anything else I might
suggest.     Thanks in advance. Pamela D. Berens M.D.(OB/GYN)