pain breastfeeding??

Question

He's one month old and i still have blisters and soreness. I try very hard to get good latch, but when he nurses, he flattens the nipple like it is clamped in a vice. and then the tip gets WHITE and blisters. I want to cry and scream, I've been taking ibuprofen almost daily since a week after he was born. I drink a small (4 oz) bit of wine sometimes, to help with the pain. I have been to the only lactation consultant in my area, she helped me get started breastfeeding but made some BAD decisions for me that make me not trust her to help me now. I have also tried La Leche League but the leader advised me to see a lactation consultant... or get medella shields, something I'm not wanting to do because fo the risk for milk decrease/baby not getting enought etc. also because he is a poor gainer.
Also when he nurses, he usually goes suck suck suck swallow at the beginning, only for like five minutes tops, then goes suck suck suck suck suck suck suck suck suck suck.... slwallow.

he is five weeks, he looks skinny to me but he makes about 10 or so wet cloth diapers a day, and messes about every other day to every three days tops. he is very alert, spends most of day awake, naps for an hour or two in afternoon... sleeps for about four to six straight during the night, wakes to eat then goes back down for another four to six....

WHAT AM I DOING WRONG, that it HURTS SO BAD STILL?????

i dont' use soap, just water on them. i pop the latch off right when he's finished. is his mouth shaped wierd do you think?? HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM?

Answer 1

Ok a complete rewrite… now I have slept, but I haven’t had my coffee yet *lol*

The clamping down (with his gums) can be caused by a variety of things. It can be caused by oral trauma from suctioning, being used to pacifiers or bottles, or a too fast flow (or sometimes too slow). It can also be partly physical, my son has a recessed lower jaw, like the rest of his family. Basically he has no chin and he never will.

In general, keep fixing the latch. You can sometimes fix the latch without unlatching and re-latching; sometimes minor changes in position can help. Make it so the baby has to tilt his head back a little more, or move him up or down a little, or forward. Also keep taking the baby off and putting him back on. I had to do this a lot in the beginning. Also don’t feel you have to stay on one side for even 2 minutes. You can keep going back and forth. I would go back and forth, back and forth back and forth.

Another major thing that needs to be checked is to check to see if your baby is tongue tied. Your baby should be able to stick his tongue out a fair bit. Past his lips at least, and his tongue should not be heart shaped. In addition you should be able to pull his upper lip away and slightly up from his gums, just like yours. If your baby can’t stick his tongue out or the upper lip is stuck this should be resolved by a doctor or midwife. They will need to cut part of the skin holding the tongue/lip in place. This may be painful, and can cause for more oral trauma. However being tongue tied *may* be a serious problem. It can interfere with both feeding (even bottle feeding) and speaking. If it has to be fixed when your child is over (due to speech problems) it will need to be done under general anaesthetics. However, there are lots of healthy adults out there who are tongue tied and they will say fixing it is unnecessary and they are fine how they are. This is your call. But it is best to at least be aware of the problem and implications.

Oral trauma is just something you need to let resolve on its own. Just try to be patient and find a position that works for the two of you. Lying down, cross cradle hold, football hold, and even possibly “sitting up” depending on your baby’s degree of head control.

Please do not use pacifiers or bottles. Pacifiers and bottles allow the clamping and allow babies to curve their lips in. This will make things worse. Offer your baby your finger to suck on, some prefer them upside down (your nail towards his tongue). Then you can monitor the pressure he is applying and keep an eye on him to make sure his lips are like fish lips, not turned in.

In the beginning my flow was too slow for my son. This would cause him to pull off the nipple a bit and basically play around. I would use breast compression, and whenever he would loose interest (even after 30 seconds) I would switch sides. Back and forth. Switching would wake him up, and switch to a breast with more milk, as even when not in active let down if the baby pull off a certain amount will just pool there. Hopefully someone has shown you how, but you can figure it out on your own in the shower so you don’t make a mess. This is different from hand expressing, where you squeeze more towards the nipple. You need to squeeze more your whole breast, you may still need to squeeze near the nipple to get flow, compression is just to bring the milk down faster.

Too fast flow, which can be caused by pumping in between feedings, as I was doing because I was using a nipple shield, can also just be normal for some women. Some babies are more sensitive to the rate of flow than other babies. Too fast will often cause a clamping down in order to slow the amount of milk. Now a really good latch will give the baby more control BUT in the mean time the easiest fix is for you to recline (as much as you are comfortable and can get a good latch) so the milk has to go uphill. When this problem is severe some women have to nurse only on one side for a certain amount of time or express a bit beforehand. However, unless when your baby latches on if when you (or he) immediately remove him the milk sprays out more than 2” this is probably not a severe problem so just try reclining.

If it comes down to using a breast shield, it is not a horrible solution. I used one. Definitely use one if it comes down to a choice of not breastfeeding or using one. However some babies will not take them. Conversely some babies will not easily give them up. My baby wouldn’t give them up and then one day would no longer take it *lol* Kids these days. You can pump after feeding to keep your supply up, though for me it got to a point that pumping was just causing me to be engorged. I rented a hospital grade pump. (I’m in Canada) and it cost me $200 as a refundable deposit, then it was $5 a week. I also had to buy the kit part which was $50. However the kit can be used on its own as a manual pump. It was a medela. If you do get a pump, don’t cheap out get the double pump. You don’t want to be doing one breast at a time if you are doing it in between feedings. And in cause you are concerned the only thing you are renting is the motor, which in no way comes in contact with the milk.

If you offer pumped milk, or formula (which I don’t advise as it will lead to more supply problems than a breast shield for sure, and I only offered the pumped milk when I was desperate and baby was clearly still hungry… mostly because he was used to the force feedings in the hospital, but that is a whole other storey) use cup or syringe feeding. Syringe feeding is the easiest in terms of learning, all you have to do if fill the syringe and empty it slowly into the babies mouth. Cup feeding, while it takes a little bit more to learn is faster and easier, and yes infants know how to suck out of a cup. It is easiest with those little plastic 1-2oz medicine dispensing cups you can buy at some pharmacies. The lactation consultant should have them as well. You can buy the syringes at the pharmacy as well. They will be in the baby section. Or ask at the counter, sometimes they hide them. If you need to use cup feeding your LLL leader should be able to show you, as I doubt you want to go back to the lactation consultant.

Lanolin cream (the oil from wool) is safe and will help you heal. Ask your pharmacist or go to a health food store (or send hubby). You want the cream to be soft at room temperature, most of the stuff sold for nursing moms isn’t, and putting it on will hurt. If you can’t get lanolin just use petroleum jelly.

Ok, well I think I have covered a lot of stuff, hopefully it makes more sense now. I know that you will work through this, and one day you will realise it doesn’t hurt anymore. You obviously have the fortitude to work through the problems, good for you. And don’t listen to anyone who says you are stupid or should just give up. You and your baby CAN do this, and you will. It will get waaay easier, until then take care and pamper yourself as you are going to need all your patience. Most moms report it gets a lot easier around 6 weeks. The baby has better control, your milk supply settles down, and you are done with the first couple of growth spurts.

Take care,
E-mail me if you want (just click my name)

Answer 2

Try holding him in different positions every time he nurses. There is a football hold, you can nurse him lying down, the cradle hold, even sitting up with you supporting him. If you vary the way he eats then he won't be putting so much pressure on the same part of your nipples. I was sore for two months when breastfeeding my daughter. Like you I seen a lactation consultant about the latch, which she said was fine. I then went to the doctor to ask about a yeast infection which he said there was none. I was so deseperate for help, and it hurt so bad I nearly cried every time she nursed. You know what though? After the 8 week mark it started getting a ton better, and now that she's 7 months it all seems so long ago, and it was worth it to stick with it! It is compeletly normal for him to suck swallow for the first 5 minutes as this is when letdown occurs and he gets the most milk. After this time it generally is just comfort sucking. Try a pacifier for this period of time to let your nipples have a break. Also use a ton of lanolin cream to reduce the friction. If you have any more questions just e-mail me, I'd be glad to help!

Answer 3

You aren't a wuss, more women than not have major problems with breastfeeding in the beginning. Some give up because of it, and some press through. It's your choice, but if you do get through this hard stage, you'll be glad you did it. Personally, I was dedicated to breastfeeding no matter what the pain. I remember banging my heels on the floor it hurt so bad (and yes, even bruising one of them). I cried throughout the feedings as well (looking back I wish I hadn't been so visibly upset in front my son). I went to a lactation consultant multiple times who said I was doing everything correctly, so I was just going to push through til it got better. I ended up having major problems with mastitis though and had to be surgically drained, so I was forced to stop. Luckily, my son took right to a bottle and never looked back. People think I'm crazy, but I'm determined to try again next time around. However, if I end up in the same situation, I don't think I'll feel the guilt that I did the first time. Point being, it's tough, really tough for some. I would just make sure you have a lactation consultant that you really trust & try to keep your nipples from cracking with nursing cream. Only you know how much you can take, but there's no reason you shouldn't suceed if you push through these painful few weeks. You definitely aren't alone though, I can tell you that. Good luck & good for you for working so hard to give your baby the best nutrition :-)

Answer 4

Your baby is probably having problems latching on, and if he is only nursing for a few minutes at a time before falling asleep or stopping, he might not be getting any of the fat part of the breast milk. When they first start nursing your milk is very light and watery, and the longer they nurse the thicker it gets. This is the part of the feeding where they get the most fat. If he is doing that then I would try expressing milk for about 5 minutes before letting him nurse. That way he will get more of the fat milk. Also if you are ingorged alot that can cause him to have problems latching on, and I would still recommend expressing for a few minutes before letting him latch on this will be easier for you both. If you are still having trouble and do not feel comfortable with the lactation consultant try your midwife, if you had one. My midwife was a great help with me when I would first started nursing, or call the hospital where you delivered they could help possible. My third child had the first two things I suggested to you. She had trouble latching cause I was so full, and she had to struggle so hard to get milk that she fell asleep before she got any of the fat milk. It was a horrible problem. She weighed 7lbs 14oz when she was born and only weighed 8lbs 15oz at her 4 month check up. I told her pediatrician she nursed alot but not for long, and she also had plenty of wet diapers. He told me that could be the problem. I started expressing for a few minutes before she ate and within the week she was able to latch correctly and nurse for 30-45 minutes straight. It was such a relief. Those four months were agony for me and my baby. She gained two pounds at a two week weight check after that appointment also. Good Luck. Hope I could help.

Answer 5

You dear woman, I admire your commitment in sticking with nursing after everything you have been through! A number of things could be going on here. Your baby might have poor weight gain due to not a correct latch, when ever he latches on it should feel like a tug not a pinch. His lips should look like a ducks lips, both of them. If you have this position more of your areola will get in his mouth so there will be less pinching. Secondly, you need to give yourself a break to heal. if you have one use a double electric breast pump for a day. If you do not have one you can rent one at a local pharmacy for like $50 a month. So pump every time your son needs to eat so your milk supply does not go down, and give him a bottle. Air out your nipples as much as possible. If you can try using the shield even if it is for a little while so you heal and he can eat. I know a lot of women who use the shield and do not have any problems. Try to see your lactation consultant again or even your ob/gyn. Good luck to you and your baby.

Answer 6

I would say that by the number of dipaers he's doing okay. It would definitely be a latch problem. What I suggest (if you are comfortable) is seek the help of another breastfeeding mom in your area. Experienced ones can surely help with latch problems. Also, after you breastfeed, express a little extra milk and rub it all over your nipples/sores, and let it air dry. Walk around topless for a while too, to help the healing process. And if apears to be skinny, know this I have 2 chikdren. My first was a chubby baby most of the time above 75 percentile, my second is skinny and lower than 50 percentile(except his thighs have one roll each) even though they both got fed the same thing.

Answer 7

Are you sure you're getting a good latch? Baby should take in at least an inch or more of nipple and areola. Never just the nipple. You may have to re-latch several times during a feeding, being sure to break the latch with your finger when removing baby from nipple.

You may have to train baby to suck properly, your LLL leader should be able to show you how, it's simple, before each feed use your pinky finger to get baby to suck before putting baby to breast. Fingernail side down, tickle roof of baby's mouth with finger until he sucks.

bleb or milk blister-might be your problem--check out http://www.pamf.org/children/newborns/feeding/blebs.html

Might be thrush-check baby's mouth for white stuff--looks like cottage cheese.

After each feeding express a couple of drops of milk and rub into nipple, let air dry. Wear just a cotton t shirt with no bra as much as possable. (this air circulation will help nipples heal.

Apply ice to nipples before feedings to numb them. You might also want to try pumping just a bit before letting baby latch, it might make latch on easier.

Answer 8

i am sorry for you pain, my daughter did not latch on correctly until she was 8 weeks old.
it sounds as though you may have milk blisters and the only thing to do your those is let the baby nurse until the pop them on their own. you might want to try looking at www.kellymom.com that site has helped me more in the past 5 months than lalecheleague or the lactation consultant. hope that helps.

Answer 9

I agree wiht the last post. You might have a little one that just can't get latched on right. You might check wiht your local WIC office and see if they have a pump you can borrow and get a supply going. As he gets older as long as you are still pumping as often as you can you can try offering the breast again. Good luck.

Answer 10

its normal for your breasts to hurt and be sore. if your baby is latched on properly it shouldn't hurt. if its causing u alot of stress and u don't think u can deal with it, its okay to pump and give him the bottle or even switch to formula. breastfeeding is very hard and not every woman is capable of doing it for the reccommended first year.

Answer 11

so you dont have the pain and blisters pump all of the milk out and feed him by the bottle that way you can watch how much he eats and your breasts wont be as sore.