[Elijah'sMommy]

The last few days when I try to latch Eli during a feeding (crossover hold usually, sometimes football hold) I have trouble with the top hand. Usually he is trying to latch himself and covers his mouth. It is starting to get frustrating for both of us and I don't want us to feel that when I am feeding him. Is there anything you have done to get around the hand situation while breastfeeding?

[Jodi0804]

I've had to hold it out of the way in the past until he is latched. My lo loves to have his hands by his face so he usually puts it over his face again after he is on which is fine. I've also had to have DH hold his arm out of the way when he goes crazy!

[stlgirl]

do you think he would BF while swaddled?

[Christine-MA]

Sometimes I keep her swadles, but if she gets too sleepy that way, if DH is there he will help, if she has a long sleeve on, I tuck it under my arm a little. Once she's latched it's not a problem, but isn't it frustrating??

[~Andrea~]

Lilyana used to stick her fingers in her mouth once she latched on, which would obviously not work! She eventually stopped doing it, but it sure was annoying!

[Elijah'sMommy]

Originally Posted by stlgirl

do you think he would BF while swaddled?

I had been doing that when I was in the hospital but the LC said that can get in the way more than help. I might try it again though since we can get a perfect latch when I am not fighting with tiny hands with claws

[stlgirl]

Hmm, yeah, not sure if that is just that LC's personal opinion or what, because I've read and been told by my Doula that swaddling is actually a great way to encourage a good latch.

[KCMomma]

Oh yeah, I rememer that!!! Especially when I was by myself trying to feed her, I would wrap her in the Miracle Blanket (which I absolutely swear by) and that helped a ton! It's so frustrating, but try your best to keep it up! Hang in there!!

[lttle_one]

I ditto the other ladies, I would swaddle if I was having trouble

[BabyBird]

Now that Haylea is older she is constantly swatting and grabbing me and everything else while she is eating. I started pulling up the edge of the burp cloth that is tucked under her chin and putting it between her face and her hand so instead of grabbing my boob she grabs the burp cloth. Much less painful for me! We also still use a nipple shield (I have a love/hate relationship with that thing!) so it also keeps her from ripping it off and splashing milk all over the place!

Hahaha, I am lol here b/c Jack is the CRAZIEST eater ever. He goes nuts with his arms and his hands. Always has. I used to push his hands out of the way or hold them down. But after 6 months, I am able to hold him and guide him to the boob with minimal effort, and he just swats away at my mouth or boob, or just in the air. I try to hold his arm down now, but he has freakish strength. Seriously. You should see what he can pick up and throw across a room. He latches now without putting his hands in the way b/c I would put him down if he didn't after month 3. I did that once or twice and he got the idea. So I guess it could always be worse - your baby could be like mine!

Sorry I am not very helpful.

[BabyBird]

Originally Posted by MomToJack

Hahaha, I am lol here b/c Jack is the CRAZIEST eater ever. He goes nuts with his arms and his hands. Always has. I used to push his hands out of the way or hold them down. But after 6 months, I am able to hold him and guide him to the boob with minimal effort, and he just swats away at my mouth or boob, or just in the air. I try to hold his arm down now, but he has freakish strength. Seriously. You should see what he can pick up and throw across a room. He latches now without putting his hands in the way b/c I would put him down if he didn't after month 3. I did that once or twice and he got the idea. So I guess it could always be worse - your baby could be like mine!

Sorry I am not very helpful.

LOL that sounds like Haylea too! She is a nut sometimes when she is eating. The burp cloth helps though because without it she either grabs and pinches/scratches me or rips the nipple shield off and it can get pretty frustrating! Have you tried giving him something to hold on to while eating?

yeah, he hits me with it My boobs don't even feel scratches anymore. He bit my nipple the other day with his two sharp little bottom teeth and OMG PAINFUL!!!

breastfeeding can be so dangerous

[BabyBird]

Originally Posted by MomToJack

yeah, he hits me with it My boobs don't even feel scratches anymore. He bit my nipple the other day with his two sharp little bottom teeth and OMG PAINFUL!!!

breastfeeding can be so dangerous