Tough nipples for breastfeeding?

Question

I've been breastfeeding my daughter for 6 and a half months now. In the beginning it was hard and sometimes flat out hurt. My nipples would crack and occasionally bleed, it was awful. Everyone described it as the stage where they had to get tough...after a short while they were right back to normal.....I was wondering is this something you go through for the first time you breastfeed, or is it something you go through with every child you have and breastfeed.

Answer 1

Treat them with a combination of breast milk and purified lanolin, such as Lansinoh or PureLan 100. After feeding, express a couple of drops of milk and let it dry on the nipple for five to ten minutes. The milk will help heal cracks and kill bacteria. Then apply lanolin, which doesn't need to be washed off, to keep the nipple soft and supple. You can buy it at Walmart for about $5. Its in a purple tube. Works great for diaper rash too.

If your nipples are cracked and sore for longer than five days, the cracks are probably infected with bacteria, which can slow healing and put you at risk for a serious breast infection. Ask your doctor for some oral antibiotic for them.
If your nipples are sore, you most likely have a baby who's latching on improperly or is positioned incorrectly at your breast. Be sure to place your breast well into your baby's mouth so his lower lip is splayed out well below your nipple. If he has to suck or pull your nipple into his mouth, it can cause you soreness and pain. (If you develop sore nipples once your baby is older and you've been breastfeeding for a while, the cause may be a yeast infection known as thrush.)
One more thing you can do is put wet tea bags on them for about 10-15 minutes at a time. I did this with both my kids and I know what you are going through. Good luck to you, hope it gets better for you.

Answer 2

I had great difficulty nursing my first of five children. I had inverted nipples, so baby had to learn how to pull the nipple out, keep it out, and swallow all at the same time. My nipples were cracked and bleeding too. After about 3 months, my nipples toughened up and the pain subsided. I nursed her 13 months.

With baby #2 (19 months after baby #1), I had just a little pain and discomfort for the first couple of weeks, but it was a breeze compared to my first experience.

Babies #3, #4 and #5 were similar experiences with discomfort for the first couple of weeks and then smooth sailing from there on out.

I've nursed for 11 years, and am still nursing. That was my experience. Hope it is encouraging :-)

Answer 3

I breastfed my daughter for a year. It only hurt in the very beginning, and that is because she was not latching on correctly. If your daughter's breastfeeding hurts you, then its because it is being done incorrectly, bottom line. You need to tickle her lips with your nipple, several times if needed, until she opens wide like a hungry little bird, and then quickly but gently move her mouth around the areola. If you are in great pain, break the seal by inserting your finger between your daughter's mouth and your breast, and try again. Once you master getting your daughter to latch on, it probably won't be so bad with your next child. Congratulations by the way for deciding to breastfeed!!

Answer 4

Any le leche leader will tell you that nursing will be uncomfortable in the begining. Much like sex after a long period of time can be uncomfortable.

But even the very begining of nursing should never EVER result in cracked bleeding nipples.

Thats actually caused by a baby who doesnt latch on properly, and a mother who doesnt know how to get the child to latch right, because she was improperly taught.

Theyre crazy, those le leche ladies, wanting you to nurse until gradschool, but seriously, they know their stuff when it comes to how you breastfeed.

Answer 5

I breastfed for 6 weeks and NEVER had a problem with dry, cracked, or sore nipples. He had a great latch from the beginning. I've also had my nipples pierced, so maybe they were already tough!

Answer 6

I've gone through this with both of my children. I found with my second it was worse. My sister in law bought me some breast shields made by Avent and it saved my life. They are soft silicone nipple shields that protect you and keep you from cracking and bleeding.I used them for the first 3 months and they were incredible.

Answer 7

It never got easier for me with each kid. My third was actually harder on me then my first two because of his powerful suck. But the pain went away after 6 wks so it was worth it. Now he's 17 wks and we're still ebf. Good luck!

Answer 8

I BF 3 kids (couldn't the 4th for medical reasons) It got easier!

Answer 9

as far as i know its every child. i know u probably dudnt want to hear that but yeah