Breastfeeding - when will the pain end?

Question

Ive been breastfeeding for two weeks and the pain isjust getting worse. im using nipple sheilds and lanolin but now my midwife tells me not to put anything on it to toughen my nipples up. Will they ever toughen up? after how many weeks. The health visitor said neither i or the baby have an infection im just sore and cracked and she said 'time...ok how much time? coz by the end of the day im in tears and the first 5mins of sucking is excruiciating...when can i/will i be able to sit back and enjoy it? I dont want to quit but i dont want to be in pain either.

Answer 1

It should be getting better soon. Have you tried a lactation consultant? Some times nipples get sore because the baby isn't latching on properly.

Answer 2

oh no!im so sorry i know exactly how you feel!i had the same problem for the first few weeks.my nipples were extemely sore,bleeding and cracked.i used everything i could to ease the pain.i was sobbing in pain trying to feed my daughter.it hurt my hubby so much to watch me in so much pain and he couldnt do anything about it.
i know you dont want to stop breastfeeding but really everyone cant do it.thats fine.you can always get a breastpump!and baby still gets breastmilk.at least you are trying!!so many women never even think about breastfeeding.
whoever told you that your nipples will "toughen up" is full of it.they dont toughen up it shouldnt even hurt at all.the baby is probably not latching on correctly.call your hospital,clinic nursing line or the best choice is La Leche league.
go here to find local support - http://www.llli.org/WebUS.html

good luck to you!keep it up you are being such a good mother!!!

Answer 3

If it hurts, the baby is not latched on properly. Trust me. I had this problem with my first child. I split and cracked and cryed for six weeks. Then I gave up. With my second daughter I had a much better coach and she said to me if it hurts, take her off immediately. When the baby latches on correctly there is absolutely no pain. It can be extremely frustrating, but the baby has to get it right. You just keep breaking the seal and try to get him/her to open their mouth a little wider and not suck right when they get to the breast, that usually means they don't have the correct seal and it pinches. If it hurts try again. Keep using the lanolin and the nipple shields, your nipples deserve that much. Even with cracks and splits it shouldn't hurt. Get a new coach. Contact La leche, their the experts on this. Good luck, and don't give up breastfeeding is rewarding and healthy for you and your child. You can do it. I wish someone would have helped me on my first child, but at least with the second I found out what the problem was.

Answer 4

it will get better, but it may be a few more weeks, sorry to say. Let them air out as much as possible, go around the house topless if need be. The lanolin and sheilds may be holding too much moisture on the nipple, which can keep them from completely healing. Stick with it, in a few weeks it will be just a memory, and you will have a healthy, happy nursing realtionship. Good luck

Answer 5

The pain does stop I swear, I've been breastfeeding twins for 7 months now. Make sure that baby has all the nipple in his mouth, if baby is only sucking on tip, then it is going to hurt. Right before feeding, try grabbing your nipple, gently and placing it in baby's mouth, make sure baby opens mouth wide, also try different positions, my son at first was picky while nursing untill i swtiched positions, I use the lying on my side position, it's hands free, you get to lay there and baby nurses, that's the position that got my son to eat with no problems, and your nipples will toughen up, now it doesn't hurt a bit. Dont forget to BREATHE. Keep it up, your baby beneftis tremendously from breastmilk. it has over 100 ingredients from antibodies to prevention of infection and fat for deveolpment, etc...

Answer 6

You are not latching the baby propperly. This is essential for your success! Call your local LaLeche leader immediately and she will help you . Here are some tips.
Sit in a supportive armchair, not a comfy couch.
Use a boppy or a pillow.
While latching baby onto your right breast, hold her with your left arm and use your right hand to hold your breast like a sandwich. Point your nipple to her nose and roll it into her mouth. Make sure she has most of your areola in her mouth.
look at bfing sites for more info.

Answer 7

I was the same way! Please don't be like me and give up so quickly. I bought a pump and couldn't produce more than an ounce after an hour so I began to supplement with formula, then that led him to being strictly formula fed for a few weeks. I still breastfeed him every day, but my supply is low now. It doesn't hurt a bit at all now and I regret not having been more diligent with it, esp. since my son has his first cold. It is no fun to see your child sick, esp. when they're coughing and it hurts them. Rub some breastmilk on your nipples to try to heal them and invest in a pump. It will still hurt a bit to pump, but it won't be as painful. You can quit if you'd like, but I'm sure you'll be like me and regret it soon after. Good luck.

Answer 8

Whoa! Yet another crackpot midwife (and health visitor) giving crappy advice. Nipples DO NOT "toughen up", nor should nursing hurt! You sound like you must not be latching on correctly, that's usually the reason for pain like this. There is some "getting used to" the feeling of a baby nursing, but there should be NO pain.

Check out this page on kellymom.com, and make sure that you are latching your baby on correctly. There are diagrams, videos, etc.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/basics/latch-resources.html

You can also contact a lactation consultant at your hospital, they can watch you latch on and nurse to see what's going on. Or you can call La Leche League, they can often have someone come to you and help, or at least talk to you on the phone. http://www.lalecheleague.org

Don't give up on breastfeeding, whatever you do. It's worth it to solve these problems- your baby deserves to be breastfed. But also don't give up on finding out why you have pain. It really shouldn't hurt. Good luck, hon~

Answer 9

"Toughening up" your nipples is an old wives tale. Pain is caused by your baby latching improperly.

Please see a breastfeeding consultant. The hospital should have a list of them, or be able to recommend one. You can also try La Leche League.

Answer 10

You might want to talk to a lactation consultant. He may not be latching on properly. You should not be having this much pain still. Try using a variety of positions when feeding him to change his position on your nipple but your problem is probably the way he latching on.