Is it normal to have intense, unbearable pain and burning sensation of breasts during breast-feeding in the in

Question

My wife had a caesarean section on Aug 24 2006. From day one she is complaining pains while breast feeding the baby. After two days the doctor in charge suggested to give to formula milk temporarily. But formula milk still continues. All Pediatricians are suggesting to Breast feed.

My wife is very much worried that none of the doctors we consulted are addressing her issue of intense pain in the breasts. They have prescribed couple of creams to apply, which is actually of no use.

Is it normal to have intense, unbearable pain and burning sensation of breasts during breast-feeding in the initial stage? If yes, what is the solution?
If there is no pain she has no problem breast-feeding.

Answer 1

generally speaking breast feeding should not cause discomfort in the breasts itself. some people complain of contractions as feeding helps the uterus to come down in size.
it could be that the baby is not latched on right. but if doctors are not able to assist any further you need to do what makes mum and baby happy
There is nothing wrong with bottle fed babies.

Answer 2

Try and wake her during the day but let her sleep through her feeds at night. If she won't wake, undress her, leave on a nappy and a vest and once she is fully awake, if she gets cold during the feed just put a blanket over her but don't make her too cosy as she will fall asleep again. Drinking from one brest can be quite normal, can you express a little from the other breast just so that it doesn't get engorged? She seems to be getting enough as she can sleep for so long, a hungry baby won't sleep. Another way to tell if she is getting enough is when she gets wieghed next time. Don't express too much though because your body will think the baby is drinking this and keep producing more. Once your hormones settle down, the engorgment should stop, in the mean time, put cold cabbage leaves in your bra! I never had to use it but was told this by breastfeeding support workers and midwives. Is your midwife still visiting? You could ask her if there is breastfeeding support groups in your area, most areas have them. It's also a good way to meet other people who are going though the same situation as you are.

Answer 3

I would encourage you to keep looking for help--find a lactation consultant or midwife in your area. Sometimes doctors are in a bit too much of a hurry to recommend formula, rather than to work on breastfeeding.

It is normal to have engorgement, which would be a sore feeling, but would be relieved by feeding the baby. The only time I had anything like a burning sensation was when I had mastitis, which was an infection resulting from a clogged duct. It cleared up with antibiotics.

Try seeing another doctor or consultant, and encourage your wife to nurse as much as she can to keep her milk supply in place while she works to solve the problem. She needs a lot of encouragement. Don't give up, because you may very well be able to find a solution with the proper help. Breastfeeding really is best for your baby.

Answer 4

It is painful at first. It took a few days for the soreness to go away. Make sure the baby is properly latched on. This can cause cracked, sore and bleeding nipples As far as the intense pain and burning, I read that it is called letdown. When your baby nurses, it signals the release of milk. It was like pins poking me in my nipples. While feeding on the first side, both would hurt and burn. After the letdown from that side, it was not painful while feeding on the other. After a couple months, it was not as strong. That was 3 years ago. I am now breastfeeding again and the letdown is not as painful. There is no solution that I know of. It should get better with time. Good luck

Answer 5

Pain during breastfeeding is NOT normal. Discomfort may be normal early on as mom's body adjusts to the new job, but true PAIN is not normal.

The pain and burning you describe sounds like thrush to me. I am willing to bet she had antibiotics since she had a c/s. This has probably caused her to contract thrush. If it is thrush, BOTH mom and baby need to be treated or they will just pass it back and forth. Even if baby has no signs of thrush, BOTH of them need to be treated to get past it. (Signs in baby might be white spots in mouth that don't rub away when touched or a diaper rash.)

What creams did her doctor prescribe and for what duration? Has baby received any treatment at all?

I would suggest that she start taking acidopholis capsules. She can also break open a capsule and sprinkle the powder on her clean finger and let baby suck it off her hand.

Gentian violet is a good remedy for thrush for both mom and baby.

She may want to talk to her care provider about a prescription for Fluconazole (Diflucan) to treat the thrush. Her prescription should be for fluconazole 400 mg as a first dose, followed by 100 mg twice daily until she is pain free for a full week, which usually means at least two weeks.

Is she nursing and supplementing at this point? Has she been able to pump during the times baby has been supplemented to help keep up her supply? The final link below will help you work on weaning baby from supplements.

BTW.....
Has she seen a Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) or a La Leche League Leader for personal, one on one help? These experts are typically better informed about breastfeeding complications than doctors.

EDITED TO ADD:
Letdown feels like a tingling sensation. It only occurs for a few seconds as the milk lets down. If she is having burning sensations that REALLY sounds like thrush.

Answer 6

I had a problem like that I realized after I put my baby on the bottle I was just engorged (to much milk build up) take a warm shower or get a breast pump.Perhaps the baby is not latched right that hurts, you need to have the baby's mouth Gumming the dark part of the breast not just the nipple that hurts to.

Answer 7

My mother-in-law told me about that. It is the let-down sensation (her milk coming through her breasts). It is actually a blessing in disguise because that means she definitely has a milk supply. I am breastfeeding and I can't feel the let-down, so I get worried sometimes that I don't have milk.

Answer 8

I don't know if this could be it, because she has had pain from the beginning, but I had that issue temporarily and it was a yeast infection. The baby had thrush, which is common, a yeast inthe mouth, and it spread to me. Maybe she should ask about it.

Answer 9

No, its not normal. Athough breast engorgment is typical, and new moms are often surprised by it. I've heard comments llike == did they telll you? why didint' they tell us?

Some suggestions:
Make sure your baby is sucking the right way. If the sucking hurts, your baby's mouth may not be positioned correctly.