Hello Ladies: This is a breast feeding question, what is the best way to make that pain go away?

Question

I just had my baby Nov.2nd and I was not going to breast feed but the nurse convinced me that I will benefit from it and my child. It's just so painful and I tried the warm rag and it does not seem to work. What could I possibly do to make the pain go away?

I want to continue breast feeding because I can't believe how quickly I am loosing my stomach. It's amazing and my little son was born small 5 pounds 9 ounzes and he did not look so good, now he is nice and plumped. Please give me some helpful advice, I am also going on the website to see what are my other options.

Thank you in advance for helping...

Answer 1

Lansinoh breast ointment is good for sore nipples. Also, you can express milk when you're engorged. Use the warm rags first, and then squeeze the aerola to mimic the way a baby would suck. If you have a pump, that will help. Don't forget to save the milk that you express. You can freeze it for up to four months! I've never tried cold cabbage leaves, but I've heard that they help with the pain also. Good luck and keep it up!

Answer 2

Good for you for deciding to give breastfeeding a try! You've chosen to give your son a great start in life and a priceless gift!

I'm unsure what kind of pain you are having?

You mentioned a warm rag. Are you experiencing engorgement? (Hard, firm, swollen breasts?) If your baby is only 3 days old, this is just the beginning of your milk coming in. You will have some engorgement for the next few days while your supply regulates itself.

Nursing frequently is the best thing that you can do to prevent and to relieve engorgement. It is safe to take some ibuprofen for discomfort. Ice packs (bags of frozen peas work well) will help with discomfort from engorgment as well. Heat will get the milk flowing right before feedings, but cold is better to relieve discomfort between feedings.

Or are you having nipple pain? Make sure you get your baby's latch checked by a Lactation Consultant or a La Leche League Leader. Some discomfort is normal as your body learns it's new job, but true pain is NOT normal and is a signal that something isn't quite right. A LLL Leader will help you for FREE and may even be available to visit you at home.

Get a tube of Lansinoh cream and keep that on your nipples. It will help with any nipple damage or nipple pain. It can heal any cracks and can actually help to prevent nipple damage.

Answer 3

I'm so glad to hear you are listening to your nurse and you are breast feeding. It's a sacrifice at first, because it can be very trying. Lansinoh cream used after every feed works well if you have a cracked nipple, just watch as it's rather greasy and can discolor some clothes. Rub it between your fingers before you put it on. It may also be that you have a blister, if you see a white patch, you can actually peel it off, and it will feel much better. As to what is causing the pain, if the baby is not positioned properly, you will continue to have sore nipples. So consult a lactation consultant, attend a breast feeding clinic. There's some video's you can watch on-line (Dr. Jack Newman). If it's a plugged duct, nurse from that side as much as possible. Change your position hold. Best of Luck, and again....Congrats on sticking with the breast feeding.

Answer 4

There is an excellent article about nursing in the Sept/Oct issue of Mothering magazine that you should read. The mothers that have less/no pain and problems with nursing hold their babies differently than mothers who do... hold your baby at a 45 degree angle instead of flat across your body (like baby would be held on a boppy or other nursing pillow). Baby will latch on correctly if held like that most of the time.

Sometimes the pain is hormonal. This will fade as your hormones regulate, 1-2 weeks from now.

You may need some lansinoh for your nipples. Cracked/dry nipples benefit a lot from this.

You should also attend La Leche League meeings in your area. The leaders are extremely helpful and so nice. They've been very helpful to me everytime I've needed their help. Give them a call, you'll be glad you did.

Just keep it up. Nursing gets easier as time passes. Make small goals and when you meet them make new goals. Nursing is the most rewarding thing so far since I became a mother in 2004. I love nursing my babies and I hope you will continue with it.

Good luck to you.

Answer 5

I'm not sure what pain you are speaking of. Are you breasts achey...that, you can make go away a bit of tylenol or hot pads.
Bleeding, cracking nipples...well you can try Lansinol oil from the store, and that will help for awhile. But really, nothing seemed to work with when I nursed my daughter. Your nipples just have to toughen up. It hurts so dang bad, and I cried every time I fed my daughter. Before her with my son, I had a dream come true breastfeeding story....but I pumped all the time, so I think that was to contribute to the success. Believe it or not, all this pain will go away and the breastfeeding is the best choice you could have made for your son. Plus, you'll save TONS of money by not buying formula!! So good luck and remember, this too shall pass!! :)

Answer 6

Do you mean pain from being engorged (full in your breasts)? If so: very warm showers, pumping (just a little), nursing often, even cool wash rags, and very supportive bras.
If you mean pain in your nipples: The baby may not be latched on properly. You could ask a nurse, or contact the hospital to give you the name of a lactation consultant (someone who specializes in breastfeeding). Or you could ask a friend you feel comfortable with, to make sure the baby is latching on correctly. They also make a cream you can rub on your nipples to help with the soreness.
If you mean the cramping that comes with breastfeeding in the beginning: putting pressure on your belly helps. But that will disappear as time goes on.
Try joining a Le Leche (breastfeeding) group. They should be able to give you the location of one at the hospital. I went to the Le Leche meetings with my first child. It's very informal and there are usually very experienced "breastfeeders" there who can answer almost any question you have. And you can get more than one opinion, and usually what their doctor's opinions were too.

Answer 7

It's great that you are breastfeeding. When the mother is able to, there is nothing better that can be done for the baby.

As for soreness, well, it'll pass. Are you engorged? If you are, maybe you could try to pump a little, or take a warm shower.

If you mean that your nipples are sore, you can try Lansinoah cream. Most women say that it helps a lot, and it poses no danger to the baby. It made me worse, because I had a rare reaction to it. Nipple soreness will also eventually resolve on it's own, as you get more used to nursing and your breasts become less sensitive to it.

It hurt me so bad to nurse that it made me cry and I really wanted to give it up, but that just isn't fair to the baby. I was slathering on that cream like mad trying to make it feel better. After a few days, I realized it was only getting worse, and I stopped using the cream, and within a few days, it toally cleared up.

Congratulations on your new baby and on your decision to breastfeed, and good luck!

Answer 8

You need to make sure baby is latching on correctly. A lactation consultant can help with that. In the meantime, Make sure when you are putting baby on the breast you aim his chin towards your nipple and kind of roll him on. Make sure his bottom lip is not pulled up inside his mouth, you can check for that by gently pulling down his chin once he is latched on. If he is not latched on correctly, place your finger into the side of his mouth to break the suction and try try again. He is also learning and you need to teach him the right way to get on. Be patient. Also soreness can be alleviated by changing nursing positions each time you nurse.
Do not use a wet rag - this can cause chafing and chapped, cracked nipples. Make sure you squeeze a little breast milk onto your nipples after nursing and let air dry. It has amazing healing properties. A product that is a MIRACLE and should be worn in between nursing is caled SOOTHIES. They are a breast pad basically and heal the area and really help with soreness. They are available at Walgreens and probably other drug stores - definitely on the web.
If you are still having problems, get a referral for a lactation consultant in your area from your pediatrician or the hospital you delivered at. They will be a tremendous help.
I nursed four babies and used to help new moms learn to breastfeed. It is so worth it - don't give up!!!! Good Luck, hope this helps! (I've been there!)
P.S. Cabbage leaves DO help with engorgement - believe it or not...

Answer 9

Firstly congrats on the new baby. Its great that your breastfeeding and it sounds like you have lots of milk. You say feeding him is painful? It really shouldn't be if he is latched on properly, just make sure his mouth is around your areoli.the bit around your nipple. Don't let him just latch onto the nipple. If its just been 4 days since his birth your milk has just really started to come in and your breasts are really filling up also your baby is getting used to it. It Will get easier by about 10 days. Just make sure you feed him often and you will feel your breasts empty after your baby has had a good feed. Your breasts will fill up in no time ready for his next feed. To alleviate pain I found a wash cloth put in the microwave for a few seconds helped a lot,with milk let down.Best thing to do is just let the baby feed and not bite. I breastfed my 2 boys both till they turned 1 I also was encouraged to do so by my midwife and child health nurse, It really is great not only for the baby but for you as well. No buying formula wash in dirty bottles,you lose weight etc. Good luck and email me if you want to talk. Cheers Senya

Answer 10

CONGRATS!!!

And to help with yr question. Prior to breastfeeding yr baby, you can prepare yr breast by massaging around yr breasts and around yr nipples to "soften" the milk ducts, and enable easier flow, so that yr baby don't need to suck so hard and cause sore and cracked nipples. A warm towel on the breast after massaging will also help milk flow.

Also, must check that yr baby's mouth is covering the entire aerola area and not just the nipple alone. That can also cause the sensitive skin on the nipple to crack.

After feeding, make sure to wash the breast and nipple area with just water (soap can dry out the skin and cause cracks), and cover the breast with either cold cabbage leaves or cold towel to ease the soreness. If you already have cracked nipples, then use a nipple cream.

Most importantly is to check that yr baby has latched on correctly. Practice makes perfect. And breast fedding is indeed a very good time to bond with yr baby. Baby will also grow up healthier and stronger. Mommy will also regain her figure faster!

Good Luck!