I love breastfeeding my baby, and once we get going it feels really good - totally comfortable and kind of special... I am happy to pick her up out of her basket for feeding 4+ times a night and I would say I am a person who really enjoys breastfeeding. However, it has always been really physically difficult; There's always this big struggle to get her to open her mouth wide enough, and to get it in to her mouth and for her to latch on properly... it can take a good 10 minutes for her to latch on (but after we get there she feeds really well and I get the feeling it's really comfortable for both of us.) and this can be really hard if she's already quite frustrated at being hungry - she can end up screaming because she can't latch on quick enough!!

What I need to know is, is it always going to be this difficult to get her latched on and feeding? Or does it get easier as time goes by? I'm hoping that she'll eventually learn what she needs to do and latch on straight away but I don't know if that's me being too hopeful!

It will get easier hon! The first weeks can be difficult for some but give it time and soon enough, she'll be grabbing at your shirt and taking it in herself.

In the meantime, have you tried different positions that she may be more comfortable and can latch on quickly?

My La Leche book says it take a good 6 weeks for you both to work it out. Hang in there love, from everyone I know who has BF'd long term it is so worth it.

It does get so much easier, Kaya just sooks in my nipple now and gets to it, she doesn't need any help now.

I have, and thus far I have found that DH's wheelchair is the most comfortable place to feed her, but not the most convenient! lol She latches on really easliy when I sit in there with my feet up, but I don't really fancy getting out of bed to go sit in hubby's chair 4 or 5 times a night!

I can't wait for me and Anna to be there, too.

It will get easier. You want to watch now because at 10 days she'll be hitting another growth spurt and you may encounter some small difficulties.

I've always been told to watch for feeding cues and work to get them on the breast before they get frustrated. At that point there's a chance they'll cry and get too tired to nurse properly.

It sounds like you've got everything under control though and should be good to go. It'll get better

Cally was exactly the same, it was a nightmare getting her latched on but now she just does it and we are at last at the "this feels so natural and amazing" stage. Keep in there, it will get better soon.

yeah it definately gets easier!!! (and more enjoyable)

it does get so much easier you are both still learning and she will work it out in time and latch on straight away . Tyler did exactly the same i think it all sorted itself out by 6ish weeks and has been amazing ever since. Your doing great good luck.

it does get easier, there are usually a couple of set backs along the way.
Ewan was difficult to latch on untill he grew a bit bigger, so i used nipple shields it meant he could latch on straight away, also i wouldnt choke him as my flow was quite fast!! then once he was half way through a feed i could take the shields off and he would latch straight away. i then got to the point that i didnt need them.