sore breasts and breastfeeding?

Question

hi all, i will be 39 weeks pregnant tomorro (woo hoo!) but the problem is, that, since i first became pregnant my breasts have been swollen and REALLY sore, i cant even brush my finger over them without them hurting.
I was wondering if this means I will be likely to have more problems breastfeeding when baby is here?

I breastfed my first but the milk dried up after 2 months and I didnt even realise, I felt really bad she was soo hungry.
Would it be so terrible if i only breastfed while i had the foremilk and when my normal milk came in, to switch to formula??

Answer 1

You can only do what you feel is right, Honey. I tried to breastfeed both of mine, but had to start supplementing breastmilk with formula almost immediately, because I didn't produce enough milk. I'd recommend breastfeeding at night and in the morning, and giving formula during the day. That's what I did and they're both healthy and hearty now!

Best of luck to you!

Oh, and for sore boobies? Put large outer cabbage leaves in the fridge and pop them in your bra when they are chilled. Simple, cheap and effective!

Answer 2

Sore breasts go with breast feeding. Your milk doesn't just dry up, that is kind of an old wives tale. The main thing here is you have to be really committed. The soreness goes away after about a week, but up till then it can be very painful. Hot showers and cream helps. Even tho they are sore, the more you feed, the better they get. There is no law that says you have to breast feed but it is better for the baby. The desire to do it is the main way to get through the hard parts. After that, there is nothing easier than feeding the baby no matter where you are and no bottles to deal with. If you think you are going to fail, you will. Try getting some info from the La Leche League. They are really gung-ho so don't get too carried away. They do have some really good information though. Good luck.

Answer 3

Formula will never offer what breast milk does. Breast milk has white blood cells, antibodies and other things needed to keep baby healthy. Formula is dead.

But, your baby will survive just fine on formula, only running a higher risk for serious infection and hospitalization than a breastfed baby.

Its your choice, and either will be just fine. Dont let people beat you up over it.

I had sore nipples for over a month. I cried every time he latched on. But I made it through, and now after 7 weeks we're doing great. Its really really hard to get through that stage, but your body really will get there.

Lanolin and patience are key :)

You will probably find that your breasts will feel much better after nursing the baby, since they wont be so full. And your nipples will eventually toughen up.

Answer 4

It is normal to have sore and tender breast in pregnancy. It does not however means u will have problems breastfeeding when ur baby comes. From personal experience, make up your mind if u want to do exclusive breastfeeding or not. If u want to do then start breastfeeding immediately ur baby is born and though stressful initially u and ur baby will get used to it. might be a little painful at first if the baby does not latch on to the breast correctly.
if u keep on breastfeeding everytime ur baby demands for it, it will not dry up rather it will fill up after every feed.
And think of it, breastfeeding done correctly helps u burn a lot of calories helping u gain back your shape quickly. Goodluck

Answer 5

I don't know how your using the cabbage leaf now but I took the whole leaf and put it right inside my bra. I was told to cut a hole out for the nipple for the milk to escape. I had to wear the cabbage for a full week for my milk to dry up. The cabbage was the only thing that took that pain away. If the cabbage isn't working try pumping the breast just enough to relieve the pressure but not to stimulate more milk production. Good luck, i remember that being the worst pain of my whole breast feeding experience.

Answer 6

hi i breastfed both my children till they nearly a year old,but i too suffered with sore breasts during my pregnancy.best thing to try is when you in the bath get a warm,wet flannel an put it over your breasts,this will help the milk is your breast ducts are blocked,but i also found that this helped to de-sensitise my nipples! also when you breastfeeding,if you think your milk supply could be drying up then get a breast pump as this will encourage your milk supply,i hope this helps you and good luck!!

Answer 7

No. Sore breasts are normal, just be patient....it takes time to get used to breast feeding and for some it is easier than others...Just remember to pay attention to your diet, for the baby and you....after you both have the hang of it, it is so easy and great...a time for only you two. They say you can toughen up your nipples with a rough wash cloth before the baby is born...but I didn't much like that...I just waited for mine to get here. Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 8

Any breastfeeding at all is much better than no nursing.

Nursing gives a woman the oxytocin hormone, the mothering hormone. It relaxes us, makes us more patient, fills us with a feeling of well-being. It's really part of the evolved package design.

A child benefits most from several years of nursing. Use of formula lowers the child's iq by an average of 10 points, it also increases a child's likelihood of getting diabetes and several forms on cancer - in fact, moms are more likely to get several cancers if they don't nurse for a substantial amount of time. Bonding to a child is greatly enhanced by nursing, mothering is greatly eased, because nursing is a great tool. There is nothing like nursing when your infant or toddler is ill and wants nothing but mommy - no worry about dehydration.

Children who nurse can get away with far fewer ear infections - a real boon to the child and parents. Of course, children who nurse are less happy to be left with out mommy - which is a boon to the child (if mommy listens) and a boon to the family, as the family is forced to pattern their lives around the needs of the infant, instead of getting the infant to conform to the wants of the family.

La Leche League is brilliant, nonjudgemental, knowledgeable beyond imagining about nursing. They support one time nursing or 6 years of nursing. Whatever is right for you, they will help you make it happen.

If knowing how bad formula truly is and how excellent breast milk really is inspires you to want to nurse longer, they will help you eliminate problems. Call their local rep now!

It totally changed my nursing life (14 years ago) when everyone in my family was opposed to nursing (guilt at their own choices seems the only rational reason for that) and was pressuring me to stop. DH and I felt it was best, and a call to the la leche hotline, where the volunteer talked to me for over an hour, was fabulous.

Many women benefit from going to weekly meetings - for support and networking. And, again, I'm a very opinionated, agenda-advocating person. LaLeche Volunteers are nothing like that - they are just warm, welcoming, knowledgeable.

Answer 9

I think the pressure on mums to breast feed is rediculous! I desperatly wanted to breast feed but couldn't ( found out after 10 months it was for medical reasons) and was pressured horribly by a midwife. I spent months beating mysef up because of the midwifes reaction to me switching to bottles.

Do you know what - my daughter's walking on her her own at 11 months and is happy and healthy! Going on to formula will do your baby no harm! I'm sure you would love to breast feed your new baby, but if you can't, you can't. Your new arrival won't be any worse off! Please don't worry about this - formula feed is much better for babies than it used to be (Aptamil was advised to me by a doctor, midwife and others).

My breasts however were very painful during pregnancy and it may pass after the birth of your child. Ideally, I think most mums would breast feed - it's just not possible for everyone!

I do hope you manage to breast feed - I still wish I could have - but your baby will still be healthy and happy if you aren't able.

I wish you the very best of luck with your labour and feeding decision. Good luck. x

Answer 10

La Leche League is an international breast feeding organisation which I think you should contact. They have lactation specialists and lots of mums with loads of experience to help you. Go to http://www.lalecheleague.org/ab.html?m=1 and select which ever country you are in for more info.