I saw a mom today with a 5wk old baby.  Baby was 8lbs 1ou at birth and
is now 11 lbs 11ou.  Apparently she had little if any trouble nursing
him the first 3wks but then at 4wks he started having trouble latching
and mom is now with sore nipples.  Not cracked or bleeding just "sore".
Observed mom and baby today and noted that moms nipples appear short but
not inverted and not at either extreme in size.  Baby infact doesn't
have an optimal latch, he tends to suck in bottom lip and makes the
"clicking noises" typical of losing suction.  His mouth is either on the
small side or he just isn't opening up all the way.  Baby had a better
latch and mom was more comfortable when we held his chin down as he
opened and latched.  I have a feeling his tongue isn't in the correct
position of cupping the nipple either but forgot to check for it :(
Maybe this is my first tongue sucker!  Also his chin seems slightly
receeded (as is his moms).  Would a "dancer hand" position be helpful to
this baby?  My gut feeling is there is no serious pathology here but mom
is tired of the soreness and on the edge about continuing.  Best way to
proceed?
--
Warmllly, Ilene
Please come to my "mall"
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/4558
"Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want,
but the realization of how much you already have!