I have been breastfeeding my newborn for about a month now.?

Question

Is it normal for it to hurt for a bit when the baby latches on? The nipple itself is not sore anymore but it's almost like when he latches on the suction itself causes pain for about the first 20 to 30 seconds. I'm sure he is latched on correctly and I don't think I have any blocked ducts or anything. The book I have says that breastfeeding should not hurt at all if I am doing it correctly! Any suggestions?

Answer 1

It sounds like you have a very strong "let down" reaction to the suckling. It is normal and is mildly uncomfortable for some women. You are doing everything right and this is just part of normal breastfeeding for your body. Good luck to you!

Answer 2

Hmm that's strange, I would suspect its because after the newborn nurses the flow isn't as fast which could be frustrating for the 11 month old. I wouldn't keep them each on only one side just because they are going to drink different amounts and your breasts may end up different sizes. Admittedly that is just vanity though, there is no medical reason why you can't nurse one per side. After all women with only one breast can breastfeed just fine. Maybe only switch sides every 4-6 hours and see if that helps? Also maybe try washing your nipple after the newborn nurses? I'm nursing a 20 month old and a newborn and the problem I have is the older one still wants access to BOTH at all times. So sometimes he tries to shove the newborn out of the way. I wonder though if an 11 month old is old enough to be jealous and decide not to share a boob? *lol* Honestly I think surviving the first 6 weeks is about all you can hope for! I thought things were getting easier and then WHAM nobody is happy anymore. One wants to sleep then the other cries, etc.

Answer 3

Yeah, I've heard that too. 'If you're doing it right, it won't hurt'. Don't worry, you're doing just fine. I had 'inverted' nipples, and it hurt, especially the left one, when my son first latched on everytime because he was stretching out the tissue so much. I had more problems than that so he didn't even do a real nurse (nipple in baby's mouth) until about a month and a half, and I don't know when the pain went away totally. But, it does.

It's been long enough that you would know if you were not doing something right, but not THAT long. Give it more time. You're doing great!

Answer 4

Hmmm it shouldn't.

However even if you have a "textbook latch" it doesn't mean it is right for you and your baby.

Can you go see a Lactation Consultant or you local La Leche League? They may be able to give you some hints.

You could also just try a different position?

Try reading these sites as well and see if anything applies to you.


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(OK seriously people do you think an appropriate response to someone asking if a little bit or minor pain is normal is to push bottle feeding???? If you are anti-breastfeeding why don't you go answer some questions you have some actual interest in, ok? And leave us breastfeeding moms alone)

Answer 5

I myself breastfed my son 26 months and it took me 3 months (this was not my 1st child and notteh 1st breastfed) however I also had the pain and he was latched on properly. However I have highly sensitive nipples and have to watch out on the bra's that I use so it might just take some time for your nipples to desensitize. But have a lactation consultant take a look and make sure 100% sure that the baby is latching on properly

Answer 6

Congratulations on your baby and congratulations on breastfeeding for a month already! You're doing a great job. It sounds like you're doing everything right and since the pain only lasts for a few seconds, it's probably normal. What the breastfeeding books mean is as a general rule, it should not hurt because that would indicate a poor attachment, poor positioning, thrush, mastitis, blocked duct or whatever.

You sound like you're doing everything right. Keep going!

Answer 7

Are we talking about true PAIN or discomfort here?
If it goes away after the first few seconds, it's probably not a big deal. It wouldn't hurt to have a La Leche League Leader double check your latch, since she will help you for free.
Using some Lansinoh on your nipples could help some.
The breathing exercises you may have used in labor could also be helpful.

Answer 8

You might want to contact the La Leche League in your area and they can help you and answer any questions that you might have. I also had a few problems breastfeeding, and the advice I received from them was very helpful!

Here are a few links that you might helpful:
http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/sore.html
http://www.lalecheleague.org/Webindex.html
http://forums.llli.org/

P.S. No matter how well you get the baby to attach, there will some pain at some point. After having 3 babies and nursing them, that is my conclusion.

Answer 9

Make sure that your baby gets the whole nipple in his mouth. Your nipple might still be sore from earlier. Try nursing in different positions that might help relieve some of the soreness. If you want you can put some lanolin cream on to help the soreness too it wont hurt your baby. Just relax it takes time and you are doing great by nursing your baby. Good luck.

Answer 10

This sounds odd, but this breast feeding nurse taught me this. I will try to explain in writing. You take two fingers and squish the nipple and part of the skin smaller as you send it into the babie's mouth. It sounds strange on paper, wish someone would show you. The pain will eventually go away, you are tender. Two months from now or maybe even less, it will be nothing. Good luck!