Breast feeding question?

Question

Ive been breast feeding since birth (2 weeks 2 days), the first week all was well, no problems blahblah. But about 5 days ago or so my nipples started hurting like holy freaking hell.

To be expected obviously (my le leche leader said all is well, and it will pass), my question is, how long should it take for them to toughen up and stop hurting?

My little guy has quite the newborn over bite so his latch always leaves his bottom lip farther in than what would be nice.. lol. I invested in some lanolin, stuff REALLY helped alot.

How long did you go with sore nipples? Its getting hard not to throw in the towel and whip out a bottle and some formula.

Also, how long before he eats a quicker meal and less often? 2-3 months? never? lol.

LOL! sufi! Yes, the pain in my boobs and bloody cracked nipples and teary eyed nursing every 1 1/2-3 hours is really my latent desire to be shopping for shoes instead of providing my long awaited son with the best start in life possible.

How ever did you guess?

lol.

Glad other people understand :) Thanks guys. Its just nice to know there is light at the end of the tunnel that will allow me to spend these feedings bonding instead of holding back tears.

Answer 1

Congrats on your new baby! Your babies latch might actually be the cause of your sore nipples. I've read that many new mothers are told that sore nipples are normal, when in fact they are not. A little soreness, I think is OK, but it should not be extremely painful. I found this site to be helpful for tips on soreness, etc. There are videos here too to help with the latch. http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/newman.shtml Sore nipples may also mean that you have a yeast infection (thrush), so make sure it's not that either.

Also, my lactation specialist said that you should not use the lanolin for a long period of time (maybe use for just a week)because although it is helpful, it actually softens up your nipples, rather than toughening them up.

Anyway...I experienced the same problem for weeks. Hang in there! It does get so much better!! Before you know it, you will be a pro and it will be so easy. And, you will be so proud that you gave your baby the best nutrition and that you survived the difficulties of breastfeeding.

Also, the baby will probably ease up on feedings in about 2-3 months.

Answer 2

Well... congratulations and I'm sorry this is so difficult. I had two boys and went through just what you're describing with my first. It was awful. It wasn't resentment about nursing or the time it took -- it was PAIN. I tried the lanolin and used breast shields for a while...those helped a little, but the biggest thing that brought me relief was having my husband give him a bottle of breast milk a couple times/day (I know everyone says not to ever give them a bottle, but it seemed like a better idea than formula to me at the time and mine were so sore I was in tears). ANYWAY, during those times, I would pump on a lower setting and that seemed to help things heal a little bit. I also bought some hot/cold compresses made specifically for nursing moms that were concave circles - those were great, too.

If things don't get better, try to get an appointment with a lactation consultant and have her watch your baby nurse. They will often have other suggestions based on what they're seeing.

Good luck - hang in there. It will get better.

Answer 3

Congratulations! It is hard to get started breastfeeding. I'm glad that you're willing to work hard for something so worthwhile. A lactation consultant can help you. They are angels. If you have WIC, there should be a breastfeeding office. Your LLL leader can also recommend someone. In the meantime, I would try to reach down there and flip that lower lip. Changing positions helps a lot (moves the pressure to different spots), as well as warm or cold compresses. You can use Neosporin after a feeding, but you have to wipe it off before the next feeding (and that hurts!). Your baby should start to be satisfied quicker and stay that way longer once he puts on a few more pounds. Do you have a "command center?" That's what I called my nursing spot: lots of pillows, all the remotes, phone, book, healthy snack and drink of water. Having all those things around you helps to pass the time during those all-day nursing marathons! It's a huge investment now, but you'll see the rewards soon! Breastfeeding is so convenient and wonderful!

Answer 4

Agreed with the comments about latch on. Remember that the urge to nurse is instinctive but comfortable latch on just isn't. You need to help him learn to get a big mouthful of breast (not just the tip of the nipple) and flip his lower lip out if neccassary. Other than that, make sure your nipples are dry when you apply the lanolin, and some women find that expessing a little milk onto their nipples helps as well.

Answer 5

Your nipples will harden up but sometimes it might take a bit. They do say that if you plan on breast-feeding then what you should do is about a month before you have the baby then you can start working on them to harden then up so it won't hurt as much. Don't give up on breast-feeding because it is the best thing for your baby. It helps them all through life if they are breast-feed because it helps them fight sicknesses. Every baby is different but normally if you feed on both sides then the baby won't be ready to eat for at least 2 hours or so. When they get to be about 4 1/2 to 5 months old then you can start introducing ceareal to them and then you will only be feeding them about every 5 hours or so. Hang in there

Answer 6

Most of the times as they get older they will feed for longer but also go longer with out eating.

I am not sure how long it will take but I suggest using the lanolin alot during the day *not before feedings of course* but use it when you get out of the shower and things like that to help make them less sesitive. alot of nursing moms told me that they started using the lanolin in there 3rd trimester and up until the baby was born so that it wouldn't be as sensitive...(wish I would have known that one sooner...=\)

All I can say is that eventually it will stop hurting so much and use the lanolin cream like before you go to bed, and when you get out of the shower. I was only able to breast feed my son until he was about 3mths old. Because of alot of stress I ended up drying up and couldn't produce enough milk..then it just went from that to nothing so I had to formula feed. =/

Anyway it stopped "hurting" so bad around 3 mths since he was nursing for longer times but not as often. Also get a breast pump because once they have started doing that. Then you can pump to increase the amount of milk you make and also it will help durning the night time when you can have someone else feed them but you. So you can get some well needed rest.

Answer 7

Well congrats on your new little man!
I can only answer your question from my experience. After I started using the lanolin, it took me about another 10 days or so if I remember correctly with my son. Sometimes, I would run a bath, and then lean forward and "soak" my nipples in the warm/hot water for a few which made them feel so much better, then when I'd get out, I'd put plenty of lanolin on them to keep them from cracking.
Good luck, as this too will pass. :-)

Answer 8

You might want to try some gel patches- You can find them at the drug store. They are kinda pricey but SOO worth it. You put them on between feedings and then pop them in the fridge during a feeding and they really help soothe the soreness. Also, keep using the lanolin. Soreness for me was gone by week three, by 6 weeks she was eating faster and by 4 months we were down to 6 nursings a day with each lasting abotu 15-20 minutes tops. So hang in there.

Answer 9

Hang in there girl. It will get better but it takes time and dedication. Don't give up easily. You are doing the BEST thing for your baby. Breastfed babies have fewer allergies and tend to be healtheir thier first year.

The lanolin is a good investment, keep using it regularly. It could take a few more weeks until the soreness passes. It's really worth it though.

Answer 10

Mine hurt for about a week or two. It was so bad that I even thought about quitting, but it finally got better. So hang in there. However, if it gets really bad for you. You can always pump the milk and put it in a bottle.

Now about the quicker meal thing. My daughter is 5 months old and is still wanting to eat about ever 3-4 hrs for about 20 min. Normally the feedings don't get shorter, but they do, however, get fewer and more time between each one.