sore while breast feeding?

Question

i have been breast feeding for 3 weeks now and i am trying to wean my son off the bottle he only get an oz of formula a few feedings a day and now i am really sore and raw what are some things i can do to help? please only seriouse ppl thanks

Answer 1

Have you seen a Lactation Consultant or a La Leche League Leader? (A LLL Leader will help for FREE and might be able to visit you at home.) http://WWW.LLL.ORG
Get advice from other breastfeeding moms at the LLL forums http://forums.llli.org/index.php

Ice on your nipples before a feed will help with the pain a great deal.

Most likely a lacth problem--which can;t be fixed over the internet.

Could be thrush. Commonly, if a woman has a yeast infection (which she may not even know about) she will pass it on to her baby (if born vaginally) and baby and breastfeeding mom will develop thrush in about 2 weeks.

Symptoms for mom: not all have to be present
*Painful nipples after a period of pain free nursing
*Itchy or burning nipples
*Nipples may appear pink or red, shiny, flaky, and/or have a rash with tiny blisters.
*Cracked nipples.
*Shooting pains in the breast during or after feedings.
*Intense nipple or breast pain that is not improved with better latch-on and positioning.
*Deep breast pain.
*Craving sugar/sweets/yeast/bread (sounds weird but it’s true! It helps the yeast to grow when you eat these things)
*Vaginal yeast infection or vaginal itching

Symptoms for baby: (the baby does not have to have thrush for you to have thrush!!)
*White patches in mouth
*Yeast rash--In diaper area. bright red, raised rash that doesn't get better after 2-3 days treatment with diaper rash cream.
Here are some links to pix--the 1st shows diaper rash and yeast rash-the 2nd is the best quality pic of yeast rash.
http://childcare.homestead.com/DiaperRash.html
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/8/T081401.asp http://dermatlas.med.jhmi.edu/derm/IndexDisplay.cfm?ImageID=1151094407index.html

If you think it's thrush, you can email me and I'll tell you how to treat it.

If you need more assistance or have more questions feel free to email me by clicking on my avatar then on ‘Email Noggin Mama’ Please make sure to include your email address in the email or I will not be able to respond to your questions.

Answer 2

Yes, apply pure lanolin to your nipples, like Lansinoh (that's what they gave me at the hospital when I gave birth). It is normal to have some soreness and irritation but it could also be the sign of an improper latch. You can see a lactation consultant. You don't have to wean him to formula if you are too uncomfortable breastfeeding. You can try pumping breast milk and then bottle feeding it to him. Good luck, and congratulations on your new baby!

Answer 3

I would get in the shower and let the milk down, stay in for at least 15 minutes. Then , when you get out, there are different types of lotions for sore nipples, I used a Gerber's breastfeeding stick.. it looked like children's glue. You can also put cabbage leaves to relieve pressure. If your breasts are TERRIBLY sore, you may have mastitus. Signs I had were a red rash around the nipple and a little on the actual skin, and a LOT of soreness. You will need antibiotic and to properly flush it, keep breastfeeding.

Answer 4

There is stuff you can put on your breasts that will help them feel better. You can look in the infants section and they have stuff called lanolin. It will help. Also.. make sure he is latching on properly. He should have most of the areola (the part around the nipple) in his mouth. Try different positions when nursing too. Then your breast wont be sucked raw. Good luck and keep up the good work.

Answer 5

Make sure that he is latched on properly. Have a Lactation Consultant or a La Leche League Leader check his latch for you. A LLL Leader will help you for FREE and may be willing to visit you at home.

Use Lansinoh on your nipples after each feeding. You don't have to wash it off to nurse.

Answer 6

there is a non lanolin cream that helped me alot when this happened look by the nursing pads and pumps at like wal-mart or target, also no soap and try to air dry after feeding also try not to let him just snack on you if he seems like he is not really hungry more just tired then remove him this will help and also a little Tylenol will help with the pain if it gets to be to much just hang in there i promise it will get better!! good luck!

Answer 7

Contact your local La Leche League and get someone to help you in person. It is almost impossible to help over the Internet. Most likely you just need a little help from a knowledgeable person.

http://www.llli.org

Answer 8

i have experienced that also with my now 5month old baby, but for only two weeks and the pain and soreness just went away...until now i exclusively breastfeed her.

Answer 9

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/decrease-formula.html

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/relactation.html