I gave birth on Sunday and started to breastfeed for the very first time shortly after. I didn't have a lactation consultant on hand to help out. I have been reading that breastfeeding should not hurt. Is this true? I'm afraid I might not have had her latch on correctly or deeply enough and now I'm so sore I don't want to breastfeed anymore. Has anyone had an experience like this before? Any help or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
2007-01-09 16:27:44 · 18 answers · asked by **Super Baby** 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
it hurt me too...get some lanolin cream and take hot showers...keep with it though and don't give up! It's the best thing u can do for your baby!
2007-01-09 16:36:14 · answer #1 · answered by caleb&brooklynsmom 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm probably just saying what everyone else is saying, but here we go...
It's totally normal to hurt while breastfeeding at first! I have three kids (all breastfed, still breastfeeding the third), and the nurse told me with my third I was doing it wrong if it hurt. I snapped at her, "Then I did it wrong with my first two, too!"
Use Lanisoh cream after each feeding. And if any is on your nipple, it is safe for the baby to "eat" or whatever. you don't have to worry about that.
Try holding the baby in a different position so the baby's head can be in a better position to latch on correctly. Try out several positions and see what works best.
If your nipples get cracked and start bleeding, DON'T GIVE UP!! It is extremely painful, but you'll make it through. I know moms that said they just went through the pain until it got better. I tried that, but it was so bad I just couldn't do it anymore. I pumped some milk and then I went to the drugstore to find some shields.
Nipple shields are basically thin pieces of plastic that fit over your nipple and help draw out the nipple for feeding (this was especially good for me and for others I know with inverted nipples... that also makes breastfeeding harder). It's easy to use and I used them until my nipples had healed and I could breastfeed without the pain. Of course, then I had to get used to regular breastfeeding again, but it was much better that time. I just kept putting the Lanisoh cream on!!
Contact your doctor, the hospital's lactation consultant, or the La Leche Legue to get someone to help you. La Leche is free (I'm pretty sure) and are a great support (even if they can get a little fanatical sometimes).
Don't give up!! It's hard sometimes, but so worth it. You will look back on this and be grateful that you stuck with it. Trust me.
2007-01-09 17:50:24 · answer #2 · answered by sleepyfrog76 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No it is not true that it doesn't hurt! One of the things that nobody tells you is that breastfeeding, whilst comes naturally and easily to some, can actually be very difficult and, at times, painful for others.
My daughter was latching on correctly, and for the first few weeks I constantly had cracked and sore nipples.
Even though you are finding it painful, make sure that you are emptying your breasts completely - if your baby isn't, than use a breast pump when she is finished feeding, otherwise you could end up with Mastitis, and then you'll really have sore breasts!!
One thing that I was told that helped was that you just have to shove that nipple right into their mouths and when she's latched on- make sure her lips are turned out against the breast - so that your skin is against the inside of her lips - so her lips will look turned out i.e. top lip pushed up against the nose, and bottom lip turned out so it is against her chin - I hope that makes sense!!
There are some really good ointments available from the pharmacy, nursing pads in your bra help, and also never put your bra or nursing pads against the nipple while it is still wet - using the cool setting on your hairdryer can help, and also, if possible, get them out in the sun, (it helps to toughen them up), although not for too long, as I don't think sunburn would help either :) Good Luck - I know how it feels!! And remember, if breastfeeding isn't to be for you and your daughter, its not the end of the world - you can only do your best!
2007-01-09 16:41:02 · answer #3 · answered by Belle Jane 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOU ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING! yes they say if your nipples hurt is because they baby must not be latching on right ...BUT... if she is wetting and pupping her diaper several times during the day, gaining weight it means that she is getting enough milk. When I had my daughter she will eat so fast but for about 5 or 1O minutes, so because of that my nipples were soooo sore and at time a little blood would come out, I kept breastfeeding but I used LANSINOH, it's a Vaseline like thing that is made for breastfeeding Moms and you can put it on your nipple after feeding the baby and don't have to take it of to feed her again, that stuff feels soooo good, they have it at Walmart for about 8 dollars, but it will last a few months, after a about 3 or 4 days I was fine and I am so glad I didn't give up. Breastfeeding is demanding but is the best thing for both of you, she will have all the health benefits and you will melt the pounds you gained with her. If you really think you have a latching issue you can still go to the hospital and see a lact. consultant, or go to BABY CENTER.COM for tips don't give up, don't give up, it won't last for ever I promise!
2007-01-09 17:33:55 · answer #4 · answered by Paula 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is very normal to be sore. I have had 3 children and breastfed all of them. After your nipples adapt, it will not hurt to breastfeed. My 2nd child was jaundiced and they wouldn't let you breastfeed in the early 80's if this were the case. I had to pump for 3 days and when I started breastfeeding my nipples became VERY sore and developed some scabs, which I kept lanolin on.
It takes time for mother and baby to adapt. It is worth it to continue. The soreness will pass. Then it becomes a very rewarding experience. You need to leave your shirt and bra off several times a day to allow air to get to the nipples. This will help them to heal faster. Take warm showers to help relieve pain. Keep the nipples lubricated so they do not become too dry.
The sore stage will pass. Hang in there. You are not doing anything wrong. My nipples were sore after beginning to breastfeed with each child. It gets better.
2007-01-09 16:43:01 · answer #5 · answered by Soul Shaper 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep going. Sometimes it does hurt, but the pain won't last. Do you have some Lanisoh to put on your nipples? Its a godsend!
The first 3-6 weeks are the hardest. Your baby will be so much healthier if you can struggle through just a little longer.
Are your baby's lips flared out when she is latched on? They should kind of look like the letter "K" when she is on right. Also, she should have a lot of the areola in her mouth, not just the nipple.
Learn more here: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/basics/latch-resources.html
You can still see a lactation consultant. Please do so ASAP! Trust me, it will cost a lot less than a years worth of fake milk.
2007-01-09 16:42:49 · answer #6 · answered by Terrible Threes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are doing such a wonderful thing for your baby! Good for you.
Most of the time, sore nipples are related to how the baby is latching on.
I had this problem, to the point of cracking, bleeding, OUCH; I feel so bad for you. I got help and stuck it out, and breastfed without problems for a long time after.
Try some Lansinoh ointment. Most pharmacies will have it.
Also, gently rub a little milk on your nipples after nursing; it aids in healing.
Try to be sure the baby is getting as much of the areola as possible into her mouth.
Avoid bottles if possible. She will try to suck on you like she does on the bottle nipple, and that can cause pain, and perpetuate the problem.
La Leche League teaches a technique called "asymmetric latch" which can help. They have many other ideas as well.
Get the number of a local La Leche Leader from lalecheleague.org.
Good luck!
2007-01-09 16:42:18 · answer #7 · answered by who me? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey there,
I have never breast fed but am 24 weeks pregnant. Something I recently read was that when a baby latches on, it shouldn't just be to the nipple. The baby's mouth should cover the aereola because that is where the milk glands are located. The milk glands need to be stimulated for the milk to be released. So when you get ready to nurse, your baby's mouth should be open wide, as if they are yawning. Then you want to place as much as the aereola and and nipple in their mouth as possible. I have heard that if they baby is only latching on to the nipple, nursing will be very painful and uncomfortable. Good Luck! You may also want to consider looking into La Leche League of America. It's women who come together and offer one another nursing support. It's free and very helpful. Take care and don't give up! Your baby will benefit so much from nursing!
Oh yeah- since you are so sore, try pumping for a day or so to give your nipples a break and then give nursing another shot when you feel ready. Bottle feeding can be a good thing for your baby to get used to in case someone else needs to care for your baby for you.
2007-01-11 07:25:20 · answer #8 · answered by juligem77 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hang in there! Right now everything must seem crazy but sore nipples can be solved. You're right that if the baby is latched on properly you shouldn't have pain. Below I'll put a link to the La Leche League sheet about proper latch-on. If it doesn't get better, please call a leader in your area (also available at the web site) and they can help you figure out what's going on. I had really sore nipples until my doctor showed me what a real latch was about 4 days after my son was born. Then it didn't hurt at all!
2007-01-09 16:35:12 · answer #9 · answered by hdauria 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My daughter latched on correctly and I still had sore nipples for the first couple of weeks. It's pretty common and most women are sore at the beginning. What helped me the most was lanolin. You don't have to wipe it off before feeding your baby so there's no worries. The best advice I found at the beginning regarding latch was this--if it hurts after you can count to 20 take the baby off and reposition her. Once the crazy/tired/sore period wears off and you get the hang of breastfeeding it's a piece of cake!
2007-01-10 01:17:01 · answer #10 · answered by all_my_armour_falling_down 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok try a few things. First if you have a boppy try changing the baby's position. The football position worked best for me when my son and I were just learning what we were doing. The baby is basically tucked under your arm with her feet toward your back.
Here is a picture of different holds
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_feedposi_art.htm
Here is a good description of each hold
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/pa/pa_bfpositn_pep.htm
Latching on should NOT hurt. So what you want to do is make sure that your nipple is going in her mouth centered and that both of her lips are on the outside of her mouth. If she has one of her lips sucked in or is off center it will cause inproper sucking and she won't get as much mild as she needs. If she latches on and it hurts, break the suction by gently putting your finger between her lips and your breast then pull her off and try again.
Also alternate breasts to start on with each feeding. That way you are not emptying one breast all the time.
Hope some of this helps. Feel free to email if you need anything, I will be on for a bit
2007-01-09 16:44:25 · answer #11 · answered by micheletmoore 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋