In a message dated 98-02-12 20:45:57 EST, you write:

<< .Since she's pregnant, her milk supply has dropped  >>

I have found that nursing during pregnancy on an "emptier" breast produces
stronger sensations of suction.  They can be very uncomfortable.  When
combined with the extra sensitivity, the antsy ("I wish this would stop")
feeling, it feels just like a child who no longer knows how to nurse "right."

It has been my experience that when a child truly forgets how to nurse, they
can't organize the technique very well at all.  The tongue is confused and the
open mouth is all wrong.  They are unable to effectively latch on, even if you
explain the technique (of course this applies to a verbal child).

I have found a few helpful techniques for nursing while pregnant:

1. Allowing the mother to take on some more control.  If she can move towards
limiting the nursing, either the length or the frequency, then she may feel
less anxious the rest of the time.

2. Consciously create a more positive attitude towards the
toddler/preschooler's nursing.  I know I have found myself telling the child
that they were done in a progressively stronger/harsher tone of voice.  This
is entirely subconscious, often due to that irritablity that Linda describes
so accurately in her post.  However, it really backfires.  The more the mother
gets anxious, the more the baby wants comfort, and the longer the nursing
session lasts.  Making a conscious effort to kiss and carress the baby and
speak in a happy voice seems to help both members of this dyad.

3. My own negative experience with front teeth came as a result of my 2nd
child's dental decay.  He nursed while I was pregnant with my 3rd child.  His
front teeth were positively jagged.  I found some relief by holding my finger
on the breast tissue immediately in front of his teeth and depressing it
slightly.  I basically held the tissue down and away from his teeth just
slightly, not with a great deal of pressure.  And, combined this with what was
mentioned in another post--to tip his head back so that his mouth was more
raised, taking some of the weight of the teeth off my breast.

4. I find that many mothers also have to change their approach to these
toddlers a bit.  Often, they are used to comforting and giving a "snack" with
a quick nursing.  So, instead, I encourage them (and myself!) to give the
child a lot of positive attention and cuddling at times that are not connected
with bfing.  Further, frequent snacks and readily available drinks is a
necessary addition now that the mother's milk supply is reduced.  I do find it
necessary to point this out and often give some suggestions for these snacks.
Especially when she is worn out, ideas for quick and easy toddler snacks are
always welcome.

5. In addition to being a little snappish during the nursing, I have found
that it is common to be resistant to a nursing session.  The baby can sense
that you stiffen up as soon as he/she asks to nurse.  I usually point this
possibility out and encourage the mother to, first, try to avoid the situation
(if that is her desire) by keeping the child fed and avoiding those "plug-in"
situations (like working at the computer or talking on the phone).  Next, I
then suggest that she consciously work on using positive body language and
tone with her child.

6. I also found it helpful to do what one of today's posts mentioned, be more
aware of the toddler's positioning.  Encourage the toddler to open wide and
take a large amount of areola as well as keep them turned tummy-to-tummy.  I
further find it helpful to pull the toddler firmly in towards the breast to
minimize him pulling back and stretching the areola, or worse, sliding down a
bit closer to the nipple.  One technique I find helpful is a variation on the
Australian hold (now that I know the name) by latching the toddler on, then
leaning back to slightly shift the weight on top of the mother.  This is even
easier if you can sit back against a wall and bring your knees up to support
the toddler.  I find that I do this at night frequently on my bed.  What
happens is that the toddler is then slightly on top of the mother and leaning
slightly into the breast so he/she is closely attached without having be
restrained in any way.

Hope some of this helps.  It is all certainly fresh in my mind as I am due
with our fourth on June 21.  My 25 month old is still nursing.  It has been
interesting how different the sensations have been with each pregnancy/nursing
toddler.

I have a question on this subject.  With each of my pregnancies, I have
experienced some level of discomfort, be it actual pain or the impatience or
"antsy-ness."  I want to know if there is anyone out there who wasn't bothered
by nursing during their pregnancy?  I try to give the most accurate
information to my LLL group members, but everyone I know who nursed through
pregnancy experienced discomfort also.

As I reread my note and read all the others about the difficulties with and
strategies for nursing during pregnancy, I want to add a quick disclaimer that
it was and is worth it 1000 times over (IMO) for those of you who are reading
this who have never had babies or never nursed during pregnancy.

Karen Seroussi, LLLL