night time BFing ?

[pawillars]

My LO is a bit of a nite owl so far, likes to nurse at nite a lot....I know there is a way to BF when laying down (dozing/sleeping) yet the logistics of it seem to be beyond me...we have been unable to latch on when reclining or maintsin it if I get him latched on while sitting up....

Suggestions? Pointers? Tips?

[KindaCrunchyMama]

Hmm, well my ds had trouble with this when he was really small but the more we nursed the more he realized where my nipple was in the dark! I know you said you lo has trouble actually latching on..as did mine also.

Perhaps you should keep a small night light on at night and try holding your breast firmly, directing him to it. Make sure his face/mouth is lined up with your nipple, try to pull his body and contour it with yours. Are you both lying on your sides...tummy to tummy?

Try looking on www.kellymom.com There is a lot of helpful info on there!

Good Luck, mama!

[jason&jilliansmama]

I always laid on my side with my bottom arm tucked up under my head. It kind of kept me on my side and kept my balance better. good luck!

[naivete]

It took me forever to figure it out! I kept trying to lay down with him under the crook of my arm still - did not work, didn't line up properly. I learned it works better if I lay him flat on his own and then lay down next to him and sort of guide him to it. It took honestly 3 months to be able to lay down and nurse properly.

[pawillars]

Originally Posted by KindaCrunchyMama Hmm, well my ds had trouble with this when he was really small but the more we nursed the more he realized where my nipple was in the dark! I know you said you lo has trouble actually latching on..as did mine also. Try looking on www.kellymom.com There is a lot of helpful info on there! Good Luck, mama!

Thanks for the link. I am also looking into a BF support group sponsered by my hosp's (I work there too) Lactation depart that meets locally.

I know we'll get the hang of it. He is tiny and the BBs are huge so working around that has been challenging. With the others I only went up to a 36D from a 36C cup now I'm an 40E.

[lulusmom]

Side-lying is how dd nurses exclusively when we are at home. We only do cradle or sitting up when we are out and about. I keep her tummy to tummy, position her at the right height so that her chin is in my boob and her nose is free (it also helps to draw her body in close to my tummy for this, rather than having her at an angle that makes us more like an upside down v when you're looking at us from above, if that makes sense). My bottom arm is away from her and up near my head. I usually hold her with my top arm to make sure she stays on her side and doesn't twist around to laying on her back. HTH!

[mommyof3-77]

I had the same problem in the beginning with my little guy. This is now his favorite position. We lay on our sides, tummies facing each other. My nipple is about the level of his mouth/nose area. I have to kinda point my nipple upward toward his nose, like trying to touch the roof of his mouth, in order for him to latch on properly. Its like he kinda roots around until I do this for him. I have DD's so I know how difficulty they are to work with. Especially when you're really full, the nipple is not very pliable. Good luck!