Topics on this page include: How to Resolve Breastfeeding & Bottle Feeding Issues, Alternate Feeding Methods, Best Bottles, and Pacifiers, Feeding Aversions & Suck Training
It should be noted that nipple shields should only be used under the guidance of a knowledgeable IBCLC. When used long term they may decrease milk supply. Suck therapy may be needed as well. A nipple shield may act as a band-aid and not the solution. However, some may feel it is helpful short-term.
More Breastfeeding Positions To Help Improve Latch:
Improving Latch By Improving Positioning: Side-Lying:
This position is also ideal for moms who’ve just had a C-section. It helps to make breastfeeding a little more comfortable since your newborn isn’t putting pressure on your stomach and your incision site.
THE BEST POSITIONS FOR POSTERIOR TONGUE TIES ARE: the football hold (clutch position), the laidback breastfeeding position (straddle hold), and the cross-cradle hold
Breastfeeding in Football Hold:
The football hold is also ideal for moms who’ve just had a C-section. It helps to make breastfeeding a little more comfortable since your newborn isn’t putting pressure on your stomach and your incision site. This is also for mothers with large breasts or small babies. Mothers with twins who want to feed the babies at the same time may also choose this position.
Laid Back Breastfeeding Video:
Straddle Position Feeding Video:
Upright or semi-upright positions, like the laid-back position, can be helpful because milk isn’t flowing downward with gravity into the baby’s mouth; they can control the milk flow better in this position, which helps avoid gas and reflux. It also helps your baby to latch more effectively as they’re able to use their natural reflexes, so you’re less likely to get sore nipples.
Cross Cradle Hold Breastfeeding Video:
The cross-cradle position allows you to have more control over how your baby latches on (takes the breast into his or her mouth). Many moms find that they’re able to get their babies latched on more deeply with this hold.
Breastfeeding Positions: Step by Step Videos for Side-Lying Position, Cross Cradle Hold, Cradle Hold (Tummy to Tummy) and Football Hold (Under Arm Hold):
Breastfeeding Tips:
Try offering the breast when the baby wakes up, pump, and give the bottle right before nap time
Pump or hand express a little bit then offer the breast.
Pump to prevent a reduction in supply
Hand express or pumping may assist with letdown before feeding
Take a hot shower, massage breasts, manually drain as much as possible and try pumping if you have clogged ducts.
Epsom salt warm water bath
You can even try an electric toothbrush for vibrating out the clogged ducts. If the baby can nurse, the chin of the baby should be pointed towards the clog
Tied babies are often born with enlarged turbinates, which makes it more difficult to nasal breathe, however, nursing helps reduce turbinates and establish nasal breathing. Close baby’s lips anytime you see them open. Hold them together for several seconds
Lift up the cheek nearest the lip to manually flare it out
Try to get the nipple to touch on the upper palate
Hydrogel pads can help by offering instant soothing and cooling nipple pain relief. They can also protect your nipples from clothing rubbing against them and support the healing process if your skin is damaged. Hydrogel Pads | Breast care | Hospital use
Other Alternate Methods of Feeding:
Feeding a baby with a cup of milk | Breastfeeding
Finger Feeding to Supplement a Breastfeeding Infant Hazelbaker Finger Feeder
How to use a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) Breastfeeding
TIP: While using the SNS system (Medela makes an SNS System) you can hang it from a baseball cap while on your head. To control faster or slower flow, simply nod your head. It’s easier to see the milk, the flow is more consistent and with the nod of your head, you can keep the tube out of the baby’s fingers. Also, you can change the tubing size so you can make the flow slower or faster as you progress. Also, try to avoid or wean off the finger feeding method if possible. It may be a hard habit to break.
Alternate feeding methods for a newborn baby – How to
Paced Bottle Feeding
Paced Bottle Feeding is a method of bottle feeding that allows the infant to be more in control of the feeding pace. This feeding method slows down the flow of milk into the nipple and the mouth, allowing the baby to eat more slowly, and take breaks. Paced feeding reduces the risk of overfeeding that may result in discomfort to the baby. This feeding method is recommended for any baby that receives bottles, whether fully bottle-fed or fed from the breast, and a bottle.
It may be beneficial to pace feed with a bottle as it mimics breastfeeding to make sure the baby isn’t overfed. This includes formula-fed babies as well. Babies break the seal/suction to control the flow of the milk. Many people are told to switch to faster nipples but if you’re nursing your nipples don’t change to a faster flow. Therefore, there is no reason a nipple on a bottle needs to be faster.
It may not be helpful to constantly switch nipple types because it takes a few days for a baby to adjust to a new nipple. Switching may add to the uncertainty of the bottle
Clicking during breast/bottle feeding may indicate the baby is trying to slow the flow out of the nipple. Babies break the seal/suction to control the flow of the milk.
For bottle-feeding, sitting the baby more upright with the bottle horizontal to the floor may help. Also, a high palate may cause clicking because the baby is trying hard to get the suction. The same applies to pacifiers in which it’s hard to get a suction with a high palate too. Clicking may also indicate reattachment post-release. Suck training can be helpful as well.
Use cylindrical-shaped nipples for bottles as well
Tip: Narrow neck bottles may help to make the top lip flange out more. A wide neck encourages it to tuck in.
It may be beneficial to try special feeder nipples: Calma With Calma, the milk will only flow if the baby works and creates a vacuum to remove the milk. This enables the feeding behavior learned at the breast to be used with Calma.
In general, pacifiers are not ideal for mouth development. Long term use is not recommended. Be aware that pacifiers physically prevent the tongue from sitting at the roof of the mouth. This interferes with correct tongue placement. When lips are closed the tongue should be lightly suctioned to the roof of the mouth to help shape the palate. However, using a pacifier short term may help soothe the baby and help with the pain. Please consult with your provider to outweigh the pros and cons.
Make a hole in the pacifier with a needle, one per week. It will lose its suction and will eventually come apart making it less reinforcing.
You can substitute the pacifier with another oral stimulation like an electric toothbrush or chewy toy. An electric toothbrush can be used for a few minutes 3 times a day, especially before naps.
For Feeding Aversions:
Seek an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), a Myofunctional Therapist, an Occupational Therapist or SLP Feeding Specialist
Avoid phones, tablets, and all electronic devices, including television while eating to help eliminate distractions during mealtime
Tips for Help with a Gag Reflex
Bodywork can be extremely helpful
Press gently on the tip of the tongue and hold (count 1-2-3). Do more a little further back and count and a little further and count until right before they gag. Then stroke the tongue from back to tip 3 times, repeat 3x. Do this 3x daily.
