Terrified of breastfeeding?

Question

I'm due very soon..August 29th YAY :-) and I'm terrified of breastfeeding. I have very very sensitive nipples and, frankly, I'm nervous about the pain. It is VERY important that I breastfeed since my mother and paternal aunt both have breast cancer (breastfeeding reducing my chances of getting breast cancer) and I know that breastfeeding my baby will be best for her nutrition as well. Does anyone have very sensative nipples and still breastfed? How did you cope?

Answer 1

I was concerned about the same thing with my first. It takes a little getting used to, but its not as freaky as your mind makes it out to be. It's normally only painfull if it isn't done right. Too bad you didn't get into any breastfeeding classes. I didn't either, but the nurses at the hospital did ask me if I knew how, and when I told them no, they stuck around to help out. If it gets to be too much of an issue, they have nipple gaurds that make it so that your nipples are not aggravated as much. However one of the best things I found was the Lamisil. Purple tube of lotion, you can find it with any breastfeeding stuff at the stores. It works great to keep from getting chapped from feeding and won't hurt the baby either. You just make sure to apply it right after breastfeeding.
Another suggestion I had heard was to start 'roughing up' your nipples. It sounds like playing with yourself lol, but its not, and it does help as well. You need to get yourself use to having that kind of contact, so you just use the palm of your hands to rub them a few times each day, basicaly when you think about it.
Hope that helps and good luck!

Answer 2

I can relate...I was pretty scared too, as breastfeeding was very important to me, but I had heard many horror stories from friends who had a tough time. The biggest thing that helped me was 1. getting a book before the baby was born that described breastfeeding basics in detail so I was familiar. 2. Seeing the lactation consultant at the hospital AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE - if you can see her while you are still in the hospital, see her every day. Then I also went in to see her when my daughter was born because I was having pain. Pain is NOT normal - it means there is something wrong with the baby's latch, mostly this is easy to correct, but you need an expert to point out what's wrong. They offer free appt's with lactation consultants at most hospitals. Think about it this way - the beginning is an adjustment period - some women have no problem, but even if you do have trouble, if you get the help you need, it will probably only be tough for a few weeks or so - then it gets easier and easier. It's SO worth it!

Answer 3

Breastfeeding really is painless if you are doing it correctly. The most important thing to get right is the latch. The more breast tissue the baby gets into it's mouth the better. If the baby only gets the nipple not only will it hurt but the baby won't get much milk. I breastfed my daughter for 14 months. It never hurt (until I got yeast in my milk ducts). Even after she got a mouth full of teeth it didn't hurt because they are not actually using their gums/teeth to get the milk out...it is all about suction. When the baby is new they will need a little "training" or guidance to get a good mouthfull of breast tissue. When it's time to feed get them to open their mouth up as wide as possible before you put them to the breast. This will probably take a few tries at each feeding in the beginning. You bring them close, they open wide, you try to put them on...If they don't get enough in their mouth you pull them off and go again. Sometimes they close up too much before you get them to the breast and you pull back until they open wide again. The labor and delivery nurses will probably be very hands on the first couple of times you nurse (and I mean literally hands on) to help you get it right. Most maternity wards employ a lactation consultant that will want to spend some time with you before you check out of the hospital to answer questions and help make sure you have figured out how to do it properly. These women are invaluable with the amount of information they can offer you...even after you have left the hospital. I highly reccomend getting a good book on breastfeeding. You'll be glad you have it. Good luck!

Answer 4

I do have sensitive nipples and worried about breastfeeding as well. In fact, before we had the baby, I was sensitive to the point that I didn't even enjoy my husband "being affectionate" with me in that area! But it's amazing how your body adapts for the sake of your baby's health. I now breastfeed exclusively and there's very little discomfort. Your nipples will "toughen up" over time (a few weeks) and you'll soon be wondering what you were so worried about. :) It will hurt the first few times and even now it hurts me for just a couple seconds when she first latches on, but the pain quickly goes away. Breastfeeding is one of the best things you can do for your baby--you CAN do it. Stick with it. When you're having a day where you think, "I can't do this anymore", do it just one day more. You'll get it. Best wishes and congrats! :)

Answer 5

Congratulations! It was encouraging to read all of the comments left here, because I had a lot of pain breastfeeding in the beginning, and thought I had to be the only one who ever felt that way! LOL! I know the "experts" say that breastfeeding shouldn't hurt, but it really does for some people, for a little while, even with a good latch! I'll tell you my story, and hopefully it will help a little.

I was never told to roll my nipples while I was pregnant to get them used to the stimulation. The first time I nursed my daughter, I was in tears because it hurt so badly. Also, she didn't nurse very often and it was difficult to get her going, so we got a nipple shield. The nipple shield helped a lot to get her nursing well and stimulate her sucking reflex. I think it also improved her latch a lot. We used it for 7 weeks until we forgot it at home and had to go without! The nipple shield also helped protect my nipples from her poor sucking and it kept them from getting as sore. I did go without the shield for a day or so a couple weeks into it, and by the end of the day my nipple was bleeding so much that her spit-up was red - not that sure freaked me out! We went right back to the shield!

Anyways, I also sat down with a La Leche League leader who looked over our nursing to make sure that we weren't doing anything to cause extra pain. We weren't really, except for a little bit of bad latch, which the nipple shield was fixing.

About 2-3 weeks after her birth, the pain subsided.

To sum up my experience, I'd have to say what someone else already said: It's mind over matter. If you really are determined to make it work, it will. Try to relax as much as you can when you nurse. Alse, don't be afraid to get help from your local LLL chapter. They are AMAZING and are totaly committed to seeing women succeed in breastfeeding their children.

Answer 6

I have extremely sensitive nipples, but I wanted to breastfeed -- it was important to me, for other reasons than why it is important to you.

The best advice that anyone can give you is that you just need to relax. When you're stressed out about it and you're worried that it's going to hurt you get your body running on adrenaline, and yes, it could hurt more than it should -- only because you're expecting it to. Also, being terrified to breastfeed often leads to complications and you find yourself with the inability to breastfeed.

In all honesty, it's a mind over matter thing. Just get it into your head that it's not that bad, and that by breastfeeding you're giving your child the best head start that any mother can give her child. When you put things into that perspective, how can you not want to do it?

Like everything else, eventually your nipples do toughen up a little, and it honestly doesn't hurt as much as you think it would.

The best of luck to you.

Answer 7

It will hurt, but there is nothing to be afraid of. It is the same nervous anxiety maybe you have about labor and childbirth....there is a lot of anticipation, but you get through it. I personally had a LOT of pain in the beginning of breastfeeding, but you just go through it, and it will get easier and pain-free I promise. I used a lot of the Lansinoh cream, and I made sure the latching was done properly...have a nurse at the hospital check. Another thing that helps is to just talk to others who have been through it and know that you are not alone.

Answer 8

I had this problem, I found that nipple caps (clear soft plastic that fits over your nipple) work wonders, it still feels natural to the baby and they can feed normally. Also use a good cream on them too, ask your midwife when you're in labour and they will supply some. You apply it after every feed, and wipe of the excess before feeding. Also when at home put cabbage leaves in the fridge and place them inside your bra (they have large leaves too which helped me as my boobs got huge!). My mum swore by these. With my first child I did it my way and suffered. My second child I did it mums way and it was great, no pain and a really enjoyable experience. My daughter is 4 now and according to her we're 'best friends', so the bonding really worked. I hope this helps you, and good luck and congrats!

Answer 9

Congratulations on your decision to breastfeed! Being dedicated to it is half the battle.

Not only will breastfeeding reduce your risk of breast cancer, if you have a daughter it will reduce her risk of breast cancer as well.

The very first thing that I'd suggest you do is educate yourself as much as possible about breastfeeding before your little one arrives. If you can, read a good book like The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding by LLL or So THAT'S What They're For by Janet Tamaro before your baby arrives. Also, check out the links below. Try to get to a La Leche League meeting prior to the birth so that you'll know your local Leader and be comfortable calling her afterwards if you have questions or concerns. She will help you for free and may be available to come to see you at your house if you need her. (Leaders are trained volunteers, so it will depend upon her own family situation if she can do phone help only or is available for a home visit.)

Were your nipples sensitive prior to being pregnant or is the sensitivity just a hormonal pregnancy thing? I'd try hard to find a way to let go of the fear because, just like anything else, if you are tense or afraid, that makes it more difficult to do. Whatever you can do to emotionally prepare yourself for the challenge, I'm sure it will help.

You may find that the deep breathing techniques that you will probably use in labor might also be helpful for when you go to latch your baby on and get started with nursing. You could even practice those breathing exercises now while spending some time touching your breasts yourself. Buy some Lansinoh cream to use on your nipples. You could start rubbing this onto your nipples now to get yourself used to the sensation of your nipples being touched. The Lansinoh will really help when you are nursing if your nipples are sore, dry or cracked. You don't have to clean it off to nurse.

You could also spend some time at home going braless and maybe the sensation of your clothing rubbing against your breasts will help to prepare you some for all the touching involved with nursing.

Be sure to see the Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) at the hospital when your little one is born and have her check out your latch.

Breastfeeding SHOULD NOT HURT. If it is truely PAINFUL then something isn't right and you need the help of an IBCLC or a LLL Leader. Some discomfort in the early days is normal though. You are learning to use your body in a new way and that takes a little adjustment. Think of it this way.....the first time you go out to shovel your driveway in the winter is pretty difficult. Your muscles aren't used to being used in that way since it's been several months. Your hands aren't used to the repetitive motion and weight of the shovel, etc. You end up a little sore when it's all done. As the winter goes along, it gets easier each time you have to clear the driveway. Breastfeeding is the same way. A little discomfort and soreness is normal at first as your body learns it's new job, but true toe curling pain is NOT normal and is a red flag that you need help.

When you sit down to nurse, look at your baby and think about how much you love her. Think warm, motherly thoughts. The hormones associated with breastfeeding will also help you to relax. Hopefully, allowing yourself to fall into this relaxed state will also help with your sensitivity issues.

Good positioning and good latch will help you, which is why seeing the IBCLC in the hospital is important. Good positioning facilitates a good latch. If the baby is well positioned, the good latch will come easier. The cross cradle hold and football hold will give you the most control over baby's head when you are latching on. The best latch you can get, which will be the most comfortable, would be a good deep latch that takes in a lot of areola. Here are good directions for getting a good latch:

1. Hold your breast with your thumb and index finger on the edge of the areola forming a "C" (football hold), or a "U" (cross cradle hold). Squeeze the finger and thumb toward each other to compress the breast. Keep your fingers off to the side forming "half a sandwich" or just "pinching an inch".

2. When putting the baby to the breast, support your baby's head with one hand, thumb near one ear, third finger near the other ear, with the web of your hand at the nape of your baby's neck. Tip the head slightly backwards by lifting between your baby's shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.

3. With your baby's head tilted back and chin up, lift him or her to touch your nipple. The nipple should rest just above the baby's upper lip. Wait for your baby to open very wide, then "scoop" the breast by placing the lower jaw on first. Now tip your baby's head forward and place the upper jaw well behind your nipple. Keep your thumb pressing down to form the flattened sandwich as you place your baby's upper jaw behind the nipple. The lower jaw will be more deeply positioned then the upper jaw.

4. Wait several seconds, then release your breast. If your baby's nose is buried deeply in the breast, tip the head slightly so you can see your baby's nostril while the nose still touches the breast. There is no need to continue pressing the breast with your thumb.

So, hopefully with some mental preparation and then following through with good posiitoning and latch, you won't have too many problems. If you do, be sure to seek help from an IBCLC or a LLL Leader who will support you and give you other suggestions on how to make things work.

Good luck to you!

EDITED TO ADD:
I forgot to tell you that the cancer issue was very important to me when I first decided to nurse too. My maternal grandmother and great grandmother both lost a breast to cancer. The reduction in cancer rates was one thing that really caught my eye before I had my first. All three of my kids have nursed well beyond a year.

Answer 10

Looks like you got some good advice already. I do not have overly sensitive nipples (except during PMS and well, OUCH!) but I can tell you that it will hurt for a couple of weeks and pumping does hurt more. If you need more support you can contact me anytime and I will be glad to give you advice or just listen when it is tough.
Good luck and I hope it goes well for you.