I have month-old twin boys and have had some difficulty getting them latched on properly. This evening, I had stinging pain when one of the babies latched on and saw afterwards that my nipple is bleeding in a couple of spots.
I think I know how to correct the latch problem. My question is, should I keep trying to breast feed in spite of the pain from the hurt nipple, or should I try to take some time off (a day or so) and give bottles? Is there anything I can do to reduce the pain while nursing? Will nursing make healing take longer, or will it make a difference?
Any advice is appreciated!
2007-12-02 16:24:02 · 14 answers · asked by terrierhead 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Keep trying! Adjust his latch and apply lots of lanolin before feeding. Giving them bottles will not only screw up your supply, but it could make their latch even worse.
2007-12-02 16:32:27 · answer #1 · answered by Terrible Threes 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Breastfeeding twins would be very hard I commend you. I agree with the nipple shields but you should be aware that a lot of the time once you start using them the babies get used to them and do not let you feed them without them (which is why I never used them). Some allow you to switch back but not many! With my daughter I would try and use the other side more often but I am not sure you would be able to do that with twins!! No matter what I would talk to a lactation nurse to make sure that your babies are latching on right as you do not want to have both sides extremely sore. I would also look into breastfeeding groups in your area (especially since once again you have twins!!). All of that helped me with my daughter. Just remember everything gets easier after the first 6 weeks.
As for nursing making the healing take longer. When I had an infection in my breast pumping was more painful then nursing. I did favor the other side but I was afraid to bottle feed with my stock pile because I was afraid I would dry up. These would be great questions for a lactation specialist though! Most lactation specialists are free and your doctors (OB) office should have one the hospital and your county health department.......Good luck
2007-12-02 16:37:04 · answer #2 · answered by kate 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I know what you are going through (although I'm not nursing twins). I had the same problem with my son at the beginning. I know how tempting it can be to get the bottle out at this stage, especially when you are having problems with your baby latching on properly. I just kept going, despite the pain. I found that using a good nipple cream (I used Lansinoh) really helped my skin heal. You really don't want to introduce a bottle to your babies right now considering they aren't latching on properly. Have you also considered getting help from a Lactation Consultant?
It took me almost 2 months to really master breastfeeding, so don't give up. Believe me, it does get A LOT easier. My son is now 5 months old, and I have absolutely no pain or bleeding anymore.
Don't give up!
2007-12-02 16:57:00 · answer #3 · answered by Chewie 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I had the same problem when my daughter was born. it took me at least six solid weeks before my daughter and I finally got the nursing thing down. Everyone so far is right about the nipple guards. They are a lifesaver. They are just little plastic rings that sick on your nipple to keep anything from rubbing up against them. I also recommend using the Lanolin cream as well. I use it all of the time whether my nipples are sore or not. Since using it I can honestly say(other than the teething incident) that I have not had any more bleeding tender nipples. Your nipples also just need some time to adjust. I know it sounds silly but this is something that you body is ready for but not completely prepared for yet. It Is a totally new experience. I would also recommend that if the soreness continues you can use cold cabbage leaves(contrary to popular belief they do not dry you up but rather relieve the soreness) and if you still need help(which I did) consult your local hospital or W.I.C office they both should have a lactation consultant that can help you. Good luck and keep nursing if you can it is the best thing!!!
2007-12-02 17:06:32 · answer #4 · answered by Jessica 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I went through the same thing. My nipples cracked and bled. What helped was to put a little breast milk on them and leave them out to air dry for a bit before pulling up the straps to the nursing bra. It hurt for about a week while my son latched on because they were still sore but began to get much better. By 1 and 1/2 months I was totally pain free and loving breastfeeding. it's so much more convenient. I cannot imagine not having that luxury, seriously.
I would stick it out if I were you. All the best!
2007-12-02 18:52:09 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. Keep Nursing!!! You can do it, don't give up. The first month is probably the hardest and where most people quit.
2. Correct the latch problem, don't just rely on yourself, seek the help of your LC (Lactation Consultant) at your nearest hospital. They are awesome. One stop with her and my latch with my daughter was perfect and haven't had a problem since!
3. Don't worry about bottles, you can do it. And yes, nursing will help take away the pain and help with healing. A lot of people think the opposite, that stopping will help, but you might get a clogged duct or mastitis that way--not to mention swelling. Keep nursing.
To help with the latch problem, latch on one baby at a time. Tease his mouth with your nipple, then when he opens up wide, push down on his chin to open his mouth wider, then stick the nipple far into his mouth so he gets as much of the areola as possible. This will help take away the pain. :) Also, make sure you have his head at a good position. Use rolled up swaddling blankets under his head and shoulders to prop him up.
Good luck Mommy! You're doing the best!!!
Check out www.kellymom.com
Also, the breastfeeding thread at this site: http://www.babynamesworld.com/forum/topic92375_2160.html
is awesome...the women are a bit nutty, but good hearted in the end. There is at least one lady I know of that is breastfeeding twins (and a toddler, too).
2007-12-02 17:56:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I have a 10 mon. old and I'm still nursing him. We had our problems with him because he was born between 34-36 weeks so he hadn't established the "latching and sucking" ablity yet so during my first month bf I had to finger feed him. Your babies will learn how to correctly latch themselves on soon and it's really hard the first couple months when they're so tiny, but I used the Madela nipple cream and since it's really thick, for some reason it helped him stay on and helped with the cracking. I second the part with the sheilds, there has been alot of studies that I read and I went to a bfing class and they said that it does hurt your supply. If the pain is literally unbearable, pump and give it to them that way. They may get a little nipple confused, but at least it's still your milk and your supply isn't getting ruined. It'll prob. still hurt, but your able to adjust the power on the pump if you have one so it's not as bad. I hope your pain goes away soon and hope we all have helped out a little!!!
2007-12-02 16:48:15 · answer #7 · answered by brydansmomma07 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Be careful with nipple shields because they can hurt your supply and limit letdown.
Your babies are too young and are still learning to nurse. I would NOT introduce a bottle as the nipple is different--it's a different way of sucking than at your breast. Since your babies are this young, a bottle might prolong and make your pain worse by causing nipple confusion and even worse latching.
If you keep nursing, with a good latch, your pain should go away in a couple days. Nursing will not make it take longer to heal (as long as you have a good latch.)
2007-12-02 16:33:51 · answer #8 · answered by maegs33 6 · 7⤊ 2⤋
Definitely keep nursing -- breastfeeding is like a dance between you and your babies and it takes time to get into a good rhythm. When my son was born I was informed that almost all hospitals have a lactation expert on staff that will do a free, private, one-on-one session with new mothers. Or there is the Leche League in many states that is not directly part of the hospital staff but provides the same service. These people are amazing help and can teach you new ways to show your babies how to latch on properly. It sounds like you have a good understanding of where the problem is, but if it persists you might want to check with your local hospital.
2007-12-02 16:48:08 · answer #9 · answered by karahnm 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Keep nursing! Make sure they latch on properly each time. If the baby isn't latched on well, stop immediately and try again. Use a bit of Lansinoh ointment on your nipples after nursing, or express a few drops of milk and put it on the sore spots. You can start nursing on the side that is less sore first.
Good luck!
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/nipplehealing.html
http://llli.org/NB/NBnippleproblems.html
2007-12-02 16:37:26 · answer #10 · answered by daa 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Keep breastfeeding, but go buy nipple shields! I had a LOT of pain and some bleeding when my daughter (9 mo now) was a newborn, and nipple shields saved the day! You can find them at Target or Babies R Us, and they take away a significant amount of the pain while, most importantly, allowing you to heal.
Good luck!!
2007-12-02 16:28:35 · answer #11 · answered by sushigrl 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋