Have you tried the tongue exercises, in which mom places clean
finger(make sure she clips her nails!), tip side up, in the baby's mouth
and lets the baby suck on it for about 30 seconds, then flips the finger
over and presses down on the back of his tongue. This can be done prior
to latching and the point is to retrain the baby to suck correctly, in
cases where the baby is curling his tongue or thrusting his tongue
against the nipple or "chomping", all of which can cause soreness,
cracking and flattened, blanched nipples. You can also try the "finger
walk" which is basically the same idea: to place the finger on the baby's
tongue and "walk" backward with the finger in the attempt to correct  his
tongue position before the latch. Mom can practice these exercises during
the day, too. If it works, the baby's suck should improve in a few days;
mom should feel more comfortably immediately if latch is correct. How old
did you say the baby is? (Of course, if it's "tongue-tie" or short
frenulum, he needs to have his frenulum clipped. You or she should be
able to tell by looking, and chances are, the Lactation Consultant or
LaLecheLeague whom she saw already would have spotted it.)
Please keep us updated!

Elaine Mazgelis, RD, IBCLC
Cambridge-Somerville WIC
Massachusetts, USA

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