I am 32 wks pregnant & i plan on breastfeeding, i've been told it is very painful -at first- & am curious.. Why is it painful? & is it really? For everyone?? & for how long does it hurt? 1 month? 2? 3?
Thanx for your answers & God Bless <3
2007-12-10 05:39:03 · 18 answers · asked by ˚despeяate housewife˚ 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Hello there!
Well, about 2-3 days after delivery, the milk really comes in and the breast get engorged. The breast engorgement is what is painfull and that will happen whether you breast feed or not! The only way to diminish the engorgement is to nurse the baby. Unfortunately, the new born doesn't nurse enough to totally relieve the engorgement and if it is serious enough, a breast pump is recommended. Store the expressed milk in a very sterile Ice Cube Tray and put it in a Zip Lock Freezer bag for use in the future in case you should get called away unexpectedly.
Once your milk supply adjusts to the baby's need for milk, breast feeding is a very relaxing, comforting act for both you and your baby and you shouldn't miss out on it! I had no trouble nursing my first baby. The second baby, I did experience engorgement, but it was taken care of with a breast pump. And I used the breast pump during the whole time to donate milk to the Le Leche League for babies that were sick.
Breastfeeding does not have to be painfull at all. Just make sure that you nurse the baby very frequently in the beginning to try to prevent engorgement. And if you have more milk than the baby needs in the beginning, the breast pump will be your best friend!
You should begin massaging your nipples and breast so that they aren't too sensitive when the time comes. And use Balm Barr ointment.
Breast feeding doesn't have to hurt at all if you get yourself educated on what to do in the early days. Contact the local Le leche League near you, and get some reading material.
Breast Feeding is what is best for the baby and the mother... and it is a wonderful chance to bond with your baby and put your feet up!
And just think, no bottles to clean or formulas to deal with.. . . .what a bonus!
Take care of yourself, and enjoy you new baby! It is an experience like no other in your whole life!
And God Bless you and your baby too!
2007-12-10 05:55:45 · answer #1 · answered by connie111 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For some women it's painful at first and for some it's not. The baby's latch is so important. Mine would latch on ok then slip down and start chewing on just the nipple and yes it was painful for a while. The first month or two you are both learning but once you get past that it's so worth it. I have to admit I actually hated it the first two months and if I didn't have good support I would have given up. I waited too long to get help. If your hosptal offers a lactation consultant led support group go to the first meeting available whether you need help at the time or not. My best tips: Don't be afraid to go topless the first two weeks at home.... Use lanolin often Hot showers feel great Invest in soothies nursing pads, one set should do it Hold off on introducing a paci for a week or two to avoid nipple confusion...I made that mistake. Sleep when the baby sleeps, I know everyone says it but it's so true. You take care of the baby and dh gets to keep up with the house or you can just let it go until things get better. This is a good rule no matter how you choose to feed. The demand of breastfeeding alone can be overwhelming because no one can really give you a break so it's even more important.
2016-04-08 06:06:19 · answer #2 · answered by Janet 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it shouldn't be painful...ever! It's a natural process and your body was built to breastfeed. It's only hurts if you have a poor latch, an infection or clogged duct. The latter of which is rare if your latch is proper. BFing is really difficult and doesn't always come naturally for you or your baby. Educate yourself now, take a class, find support and you'll need it. Find a lactation consultant now, so if/when you have problems you'll have professional help asap. There is a lot of mis-information out there and more often then not, nurses in the ob ward have very little training on BFing. Google La Leche League and find someone in your area. Good luck!
2007-12-10 05:53:08 · answer #3 · answered by MoonPie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's painful if you don't get the training. Invest in 1 visit with a lactation specialist, it's so worth it. Most insurance company's will pay for 1 visit, but even if they don't, it's still cheaper than buying formula.
You have to be sure the mouth is fully open and then place the baby onto the whole areiola(sp), not just the nipple. Easy way is to tickle the baby's lower lip with your nipple, and then when the baby opens the mouth latch baby on. Good luck, you can do it, trust me, after you finish with your engorgement, it will be better.
During the engorgement, place cold cabbage leaves on breasts to draw out the extra milk (do this until the breast milk comes in). Also, hot showers are good for that few days too.
again good luck, if I can do it, I know you can too. And there is tones of support at the hospital and on-line.
And for the dry cracked nipple feeling, buy some lanolin at the hospital, and it's safe for the baby to eat too.
2007-12-10 05:53:37 · answer #4 · answered by Bradygirl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, sometimes it is painful, but the pain is NOT in the breast, but in the UTERUS that is contracting(going back to before you got pregnant)while you are breast feeding. When you breastfeed, in between feedings, you should wash and put cocoa butter on your nipples. This will keep it from cracking, and the only thing that hurts, is when the baby first latches on with each feeding. Another thing that moms shouldn't forget, is that breastfeeding alone may NOT be enough food for babies 2 months or older, so you may need to give them, especially in the evening a bit of baby cereal mixed with breast milk or formula and fed by spoon. Then give the baby the breast at let's say 10 pm at night, and the child should sleep longer during the night. Also giving the baby food at regular intervals, will help you wean the child before the teeth start to grow. Hope this will help.
2007-12-10 05:53:05 · answer #5 · answered by judyrobins14 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Breastfeeding should not hurt. You will experience some tenderness at first and maybe slightly sore nipples. I would recommend a breastfeeding class just to be prepared and they will also show you the correct way to help baby latch on. Most pain is experienced because the baby is not taking the entire, or most of the areola into it's mouth. It is also possible for the breasts to become infected (mastitis) but that is also usually due to the baby latching on incorrectly. Breastfeeding is the absolute best start that you can give your baby. Please contact your local le leche league for free breast feeding support, don't give up just because others nursed incorrectly or with a lack of desire. Good luck!
2007-12-10 05:49:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, it isn't painful. Or at least it wasn't for me. It may get a little uncomfortable or downright sore in some cases -- your skin can become cracked (sort of like chapped lips)...but this can be avoided by taking warm baths, etc. One of the previous answers also mentioned rubbing the breastmilk on your nipples -- that is an excellent suggestion. Cracked skin and soreness doesn't happen to all women -- it didn't happen to me, but I do know that it does happen sometimes -- my friends have complained of it. I breastfed my children for a full three months before introducing formula and then I switched back and forth until they were weaned from the breast completely (end of their fourth month). You can do this -- try not to worry -- and definitely check at the hospital where you plan to deliver; many have lactation specialists who you can consult for free.
2007-12-10 05:49:14 · answer #7 · answered by Goddess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first 2 weeks are tough, after that it should become relatively easy. A lot of the discomfort comes from it just being new and getting used to various feeding positions while juggling a baby. If there is a lot of pain check how the baby is latched on the the nipple. It really makes a world of difference!
2007-12-10 05:46:39 · answer #8 · answered by Mom23 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the mom and the baby. When I was pregnant everyone kept talking it down and insisting all types of problems that could arise, almost to the point I was scared to do it. Once I had the baby, it came naturally. He knew what to do and I had read enough information that I knew he was doing it right. I never had any pain at all. The only time I could bit was many months down the road when he was sick. In case you do have any problems like irritated nipples...make sure you invest in lanolin cream. they usually give a sample to you in the hospital. And nursing pads that have lanolin already applied to the nipple area, also they have gel inserts for your bras as well that you can use.
2007-12-10 06:50:37 · answer #9 · answered by Lady blah blah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My first week was a rough one. It is very much a learning process for you and your baby. My daughter was born on a Sunday and on Thursday I had an appointment with the lactation consultant at my hospital. It was very helpful. If it is something you really want to do, you have to keep trying. I did some research before I gave birth on www.breastfeeding.com, and searched for breastfeeding videos on youtube.
The only time it hurt for me was when she wasn't latched properly, and when we got thrush. It is a very common infection for breastfeeding women but clears up with a little medication for you and the baby.
It will hurt at first, but once your baby is latched properly, you should only feel a gentle tugging. If it hurts a little more than you think it should, unlatch and try again. It will come but it takes practice.
2007-12-10 05:47:44 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋