Hello. I apologize for not having a chance to intrduce myself and for not being a "lactation professional." I am a LLL Leader Applicant and have found myself in the position of helping a friend of a friend who had a bad LLL experience with baby #1 and has sought me out instead. Following is a note I just got from her, after hearing about her painful nipples, and baby sucking w/o swallowing toward the end of a feed. She saw an LC yesterday and this tells what was said: <<< Hi Karen, It's Lori, Cheryl's friend. I had my appointment with the LC yesterday and she said the baby's positioning is correct and she's latching on properly, the LC said she's clinching her jaw when she sucks and that's why my nipple is flattened and I'm experiencing pain while nursing. This could happen if the baby was born by forceps or suction tools, but that is not how she was delivered. She said sometimes they grow out of it and begin to suck correctly. The LC said if the pain is too much to handle to pump and feed through bottle, maybe a day on bottle and the next day at the breast, to give my nipples a rest. Do you think my milk supply will stay up if I use this kind of feeding pattern? Let me know if you have ever heard of this happening. How long do you think my milk supply will last if I only pump? >>>> So my questions for all of you wonderful professionals are: -- what can be done about the gumming of the nipples? -- why would anyone rec. bottlefeeding a whole day or alternating days to *solve* a suck problem? -- if she does decide to pump and bottle feed, whatever can she do to preserve the BFing relationship? -- would it be a good idea to get a 2nd LC to take a look? This baby is 2-1/2 weeks, wetting/pooping, gaining well, happy, but Mom is in pain during most of the feeding. Mom had nipple pain for baby #1 and stopped at 2 weeks, but is fairly motivated to continue this time. Thanks a million! Karen Salomon [log in to unmask]