I am a new mother trying to breastfeed exclusively, but the soreness of my nipples is intolerable at times, and it prevents me from breastfeeding solely.Is there anything I can do to soothe my nipples or make them become accustomed to this discomfort.
2007-01-19 06:43:37 · 18 answers · asked by Miss Taryn 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Buy some lanolin (babies r us) and put it on your nipples. I did that in the beginning b/c it hurted so much. I also would put a heated cloth over my breasts to help with the pain. Eventually, it will go away though. It just hurts a whole lot in the beginning!
2007-01-19 06:49:50 · answer #1 · answered by mycloud 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't want to sound rude or anything but are you sure that your baby is latched on properly? I thought my son was (the nurses at the hospital even told me he was) and I went through excruciating pain as it sounds you are, until I finally went to the lactation specialist in my city and she showed me how he SHOULD have been latched on. It took about a week and my sore cracked nipples were SO much better. I've been told that breastfeeding shouldn't hurt if the baby is latched on properly. If you've already been through this then try a cream.
Good luck, I know how frustrating this is, don't give up!
Edited to add: I bought this gel at the health food store in my town it's called Calendula Gel, it's make specifically for cuts and burns, it's totally safe for the baby, just put some on right after he/she nurses and it helped heal my nipples really well, the lactation specialist actually took down the name to tell people because she was so impressed by it!
2007-01-19 06:58:23 · answer #2 · answered by LittleRaysMama 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Trying to breastfeed for the first time is very hard and the nipples do get sore and cracked and sometimes bleed. Get some Lansinoh breastfeeding cream and rub on your nipples. Trust me it helps. I breastfed my son for 4 years. It gets easier and more comfortable after a couple of weeks. Also remember to switch sides every time your baby feeds. If you start on the right side first then at the next feeding start on the left. When the baby first starts to feed the suction is so strong you cannot feed on the one side all the time or your nipples get sore and cracked.
2007-01-19 06:51:57 · answer #3 · answered by dadsbaby79 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You poor thing--we've all been there! It's very painful! I can remember nursing my daughter and just dreading the latch-on...I was doing it 100% correctly but unfortunately due to the engorgement it just plain hurt for the first few seconds. I can remember gritting my teeth just waiting for it to stop hurting. Hot washcloths before she nursed were helpful, and expressing a bit of milk before she started nursing also helped.
Now if the pain you are experiencing is dry cracking nipples, that's a different story. There are creams you can use for that. Put them on before and after you nurse.
The good news is that the pain does stop. After a couple of weeks or so, the pain diminishes dramatically. I've been doing it for 10 months and it is the most pleasurable experience for my daughter and me. It gets better and better and I really look forward to nursing her at night. I tell you this because a lot of women stop nursing due to the initial pain or stop after 3 months because they work or whatever, but I am so glad I kept with it because I think that when they get a little older the bonding is MUCH more intense.
Now, the other pain that you might experience when they get older is teeth! Let me know when you cross that milestone and I'll let you know how I handled it!
Best of luck!
2007-01-22 17:36:13 · answer #4 · answered by Pamela P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy Lansinoh and put it on your nipples after each feeding. No need to wipe it off before feeding baby. It's normal to have some pain but if it continues more than 10 days, find a midwife or lactation consultant (find a local chapter of La Leche League) and see if the baby is attaching correctly and that you're holding baby correctly. Hang in there!
2007-01-19 06:59:51 · answer #5 · answered by chnchita 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is painful due to chapped nipples try a nipple cream I used Lanolin It worked great.How ever there may be an underlying issue. Check to make sure the baby's latch is correct. If it is then maybe try a different position.Being sure that the baby is tight against your breast and not pulling back and stretching your nipple.If it continues it would not hurt to talk to your Dr and make certain that everything is OK.
2007-01-19 07:57:53 · answer #6 · answered by blue_eyed_brat78 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Discomfort is usually a sign that there is an issue with the baby's latch. I would contact a lactation consultant and ask them for their help - they are usually affiliated with your hospital. You can also ask the baby's pediatrician for a recommendation...they usually have this information close at hand. If that fails, contact your local Le Leche League as they will help also.
There is a cream called Lanolish and you can buy it at your local drug store, walmart, babies r us, etc. It really helped to heal any cracked nipples or soreness that you may have. It is very safe for baby so you don't have to worry about washing it off.
Best of luck!
2007-01-19 07:03:08 · answer #7 · answered by Jen 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It shouldn't be hurting...it sounds like the baby isn't latched on properly. CAll the hospital and see if you can go in and have an appointment with a lactation consultant to give you som epointers. There is also a ointment for breastfeeding mothers (it won't hurt baby) that you can use to soften them up...its called Lanisoh and it comes in a purple tube.
2007-01-19 06:55:56 · answer #8 · answered by mommy_2_liam 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not a whole lot!! I can tell you that believe it or not really soon it will not hurt at ALL. If you supplement with a bottle, be sure the nipple has an easy flow or else your baby will be trained to suck even harder. My 3 month old doesn't hurt me anymore. But I sure did shed a few tears when was only a few weeks old.
2007-01-19 06:49:12 · answer #9 · answered by Sleek 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lanolin helps
However, you probably have a latch problem. When the baby is latching properly, it won't hurt. Can you see a lactation consultant, midwife, nurse, or la leche league leader?
You may be able to feel better almost immediately. Get some help, it is so worth it.
2007-01-19 06:59:30 · answer #10 · answered by Freya 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋