Hi
My girl has just finished whelping.Her nipples are very soft and flat and I am struggling to get the babies to latch on. This is not my first litter and I am sure I am doing everything I should. This is my second night up with her and I am upset and frustrated. Can anyone suggest anything I could try? The puppies are a good weight for their breed, they are strong and their mouths and palate's are all o.k. There is milk there and they are frantic trying to feed.
Thank's.
p.s I have tried to register without success, I will try again tomorrow.

Have you tried expressing a little of the milk from each nipple and tickling the corner of the pups mouth with the nipple?  The smell of the milk and the tickling should get them to latch on.  If this fails try gently opening their mouths and putting the nipple in, try to make sure there is a little milk on the nipple and they should latch on.  Have they latched on properly at all?   As they are newborns it may take them a while to get the hang of it.

I know how tired and upset you must be feeling, give yourself a break, have a cuppa and a rest.  You're probably exhausted.

(((HUG)))

Thank You for the reply Dill...Yes I was exhausted, still am really. The Hug was much appreciated.
Good news is things are better today. After a lot of perserverance and a few tears I have managed to get 5 teats working! puppies still need a little help to hold on but I am much happier and so are they.
Sharon M, yes there is plenty of milk. I hope your babies are o.k.
Tracey.

Does she have lots of milk?  My bitch whelped 6 days ago and still doesn't have milk, we've lost 3 pups so far and the remaining 5 we are hand rearing, they try to suckle from her frantically, but there's just nothing there!

Keep a close eye on the pups, make sure they are gaining weight and not dehyrdrating, fingers crossed for you all.

Tracy,

I'm so pleased to hear they are getting the hang of suckling and settling down.  The first few days with a litter is exhausting but it will get better :)  if you get the chance try to have a nap in the daytime (bit hard this time of year tho ;) ) that way the loss of sleep at night won't affect you so much.

SharonM,
Its a long shot but if your bitch has breast development, if there's even the smallest sign of milk, and she is willing for the pups to suckle, you could try giving her FENNEL TEA, You can buy fennel seeds in the supermarket or sometimes you can buy the tea bags.  If seeds put 1 teaspoon in a cup, bruise them, and pour on boiling water.  Leave for 5 mins and then strain.  If your bitch will drink it it will help to bring in the milk (sweeten it if you have to ;) ) but the puppies must suckle regularly, for it to work. I have used this myself when my youngest was born ;)

Good luck and Merry Christmas to you both :D