Breastfeeding - Charlotte, NC

Hi L.,
My name is K. and I am a board certified lactation consultant and a mother-baby RN and Doula.
You can e mail me and I can give you some suggestions. It is like 3am and I need to go to bed but would be happy to help you. ____@____.com
Try the football hold. You can see the latch better in this position. You can assist with pulling the chin down for a wider latch. You may also have a vasospasm, which is very common. Nothing serious. I can tell you about that. Hope to hear from you. K.

It lasted about a month for me. Lanolin helped, I would put it on after every feeding (if possible). Also, I would use frozen vegetables (peas are the best as they lay the best)for relief. It gradually got better over the 4 weeks. Good luck and just remember the pain is so worth the benefits of breastfeeding!

Hi L.! Everyone else gave good advice. Something that always made my sore nipples feel so much better was soaking them in warm water. If you can find the time for a warm bath it works wonders!

Good Luck!

.

i didn't have too much problems with how my baby wast latching, which is usually the main cause for discomfort. but i had excruciating pain on my left nip about a week after starting. i discovered that i had a large crack in my nipple. so what i did was keep that nip slathered in lanolin cream. i pumped that breast and let my daughter nurse only from the other breast till it healed...worked out pretty well sinse she only nursed on 1 breast per feeding anyway before she passed out again.

L., I am also breastfeeding my third child and he just turned 1 year last week. I just want to reassure you that this sudden sharp pain you are feeling is completely normal and will probably only last about a week or two. The more the baby nurses the tougher your nipples will get, which then will reduce the pain tremendously. Since your milk just came in and it has been 5 years, you have that whole first time sensation again. Like child birth, it may really hurt for the moment (about a week I am approximating), but after you start the process you will be fine and not remember this pain. The bond you are creating and all the benefits you are providing for this baby healthwise is so worth it. Hang in there! Congrats on your baby, too!! If you have anymore questions you can email me at ____@____.com

G.

Hello and bravo for breast feeding!!!! it definitely is a change after 5 years. I would try lansinoh (lanolin) cream for the tender nipples after feeding. I swear by this stuff and it is great!! Good Luck. A.

This may seem like the weirdest suggestion but I used cabbage leaves. (I also used to the lanolin for the cracked bleeding nipples) I kept the cabbage in the fridge and after nursing I would peel off a piece for each breast. One leaf is the perfect size and shape. I would put each piece in my bra and leave it there until the ache was gone or the cabbage was not chilled anymore. Its like the perfect boob icepack. Good luck!!!

L.,

The first two weeks are the most difficult so press on.

Try lansinoh cream. I hope I spelled it correctly.

T.

If the pain lasts past the first week or so, then there is usually a problem with the baby's latch. You can talk to a lactation consultant, or see if your local La Leche League leader can help.

I remember it being like that four about two or three weeks!! Ouch!! I feel your pain.

I had the breath taking soreness/pain for about 1-1 1/2 weeks. It feels like eternity when you are feeding every 3 hours! Good luck!

I know what your going through. I always end up in tears for the first two weeks and think Im never going to make it. I wish I could tell you it takes less time with every kid, but I really think it depends on the child. The good news is I always tell my self if I can just make it to two weeks it will get better.

After you get through the pain of latching on, focus on the gift you are giving and recieving. I know with two other kids you might be thinking about all the things you could be getting done which will make it harder to continue breastfeeding. God designed it this way because he knows how busy we women are and this way he forces us to rest.

Hang in there!!!

L.,
My nipples were sore for almost 4 weeks after my daughter was born. For me the pain was when she latched on for about 10 seconds, then also after she finished, they would throb for a minute or so. I had a lactation consultant check her latch on and it was fine. I believe I was incorrectly diagnosed by her with a yeast infection in my breasts. The only symptom I had was the pain (no pus, bleeding, cracking or anything else). I did all the treatment for the yeast infection at 2 weeks, but the pain still lasted for 2 more weeks. I really just think I was very sensitive, rather than having a yeast infection. But do check with a LLL leader because it's a possibility.

I also used Lansinoh Brand Lanolin for Breastfeeding Mothers. It worked well to keep the skin conditioned and it really was more painful if I didn't put it on. I was in so much pain I couldn't even let the shower touch my nipples, although some people say that helps. After those first 4 weeks, it was tons better. My daughter is 11 months old now and I'm still breastfeeding. Hang in there! The first 3 months are really the most difficult.

A.

It takes me about a month for breastfeeding to be easy. When one side got really sore I'd just nurse more on the other side. Pump in the morning to help the engorged feeling. Warm compresses can make you more swolen but I found baths with Epsom salts to not only help my boobs but the whole body to recover from birth! Hang in there.

Everyone else seemed to give great advice. I just want to give encouragement - my third was my hardest, too, and the pain lasted the longest. I thought it would never end. But, you should be almost there! After about three weeks it began to subside, and by one month it was gone. Enjoy that sweet baby!

Hi L.~
awe!!! you have a little bitty baby! I miss those days! It will go away. I'm trying to remember how long it lasted for me. I think about a week or a little longer until BF was completely established. Just make sure most of the areola is in tha baby's mouth. If it hurts afterwards maybe try a little ice pack for a short amount of time. Don't forget the nipple ointment too. Good luck! Also here are some quick reference websites for BF - www.lll.org & www.babycenter.com or just search BF on google.

Paula G.

Mine lasted about 10 weeks, if I remember correctly. I don't recall feeling anything like that for very long.
My doc said it was just the let-down reflex, and since the baby is nursing so much and you are making so much milk, it's going to be a lot stronger than it will be a few months from now, when you start cereal and stuff.
Hope this helps!!

I had my 3rd baby on Feb. 18. I experience bad soreness as well. I use the lansinoh cream after EVERY feeding with my infant. Even when he ate every hour. It's not harmful to the baby so you can use it how ever often you need it. This helped me heal and comforted the nipple area when he would latch on. I continue to use it even when not sore...it helps keep the soreness away.

It takes about 3 weeks--maybe not as long for you as you have breastfed before and your nipples are likely already streched by baby's mouth. Try using Hot Hands or a very warm washcloth IMMEDIATELY after babe pops off and apply it right to the nipple, before air can get to it. Then cold cabbage leaves in between feedings as well, or Soothies (local drug store). Good luck and way to fight through it for your baby!!!

First and foremost....congrats on your new baby!!! You are giving him the best start to life by feeding him mamas milk. I would definitely check out your local LLL. Those women are such lifesavers. Also get yourself some lanolin. Best of luck mama! And from one mama to the next...this too shall pass.

This happened with my first son and I thought it was just supposed to hurt. It was exactly like you described it was horrible painful at first and made me "brace for impact" and want to scream. When I left the hospital they made an appointment for me with a lactation consultant. She said he wasn't latching on correctly and his tongue was not in the right place. He made a clicking sound when he was eating. She suggested a nipple sheild. They are usually used for women who had inverted nipples or an overactive letdown. If you are here in Jacksonville there is one pharmacy on Henderson that carries them, I dont remember what it was called so you may want to call around since Geoffreys, Target etc. do not carry them...Also even if your baby is not making a clicking sound, one of my girfriends had a baby about a year and a half ago and was having the same pain you are describing but her baby wasn't clicking. I told her about the sheild and she had her husband go out and get a few. Once she staring using that the pain went away and after a while she was able to nurse without the use of the sheild, as was I.

If you can't finds one local I would highly reccommend ordering one online. Just do a Google search for Nipple sheild and it should bring a few different websites that sell them. Both my girlfriend and I used the medela as it has a cut out on top where your babies nose is supposed to go so he isn't breathing on the plastic. I promise it's a life saver.......Good Luck, and dont give up!!!!

Most of my friends told me that if you can make it through the first 2-3 weeks (I know it seems like a long time to hurt), that it gets easier. I think with my daughter (who I breastfed until she self-weaned at 13 months), I think it hurt for about two and a half weeks ... then it was just great. No pain, no problems .. it was a breeze after that! ;)

A couple of things you can try ... cabbage leaves on your breast. They can relieve soreness (they really do work, although it sounds strange). Pure lanolin (you can rub that on sore nipples). A good-fitting nursing bra ... makes all the difference. Be sure to wear nursing pads, too ... and make sure they are nice and dry (change them often so that you don't have moisture just sitting on your breasts from feedings). Be sure not to use soap on your breasts ... it can dry them out and cause more cracking and soreness!

Good luck! And, congrats on baby #3!

Hi L.,

Sorry I'm just now reading this email. I don't know if anyone else has suggested this, but it could be thrush. I had extremely bad pain with breastfeeding. It felt like needles going through my nipples when my baby was eating. I found out my baby had thrush when he was about 3 weeks old, which got on my nipples. Check your child's tongue and see if it is white. I mistook my son's white tongue as being leftover breast milk. I was given nystatin for him. Unfortunately it took months for the thrush to go away and I ended up giving up on breastfeeding because I just couldn't take the pain.

Good luck,
K.

I used to cuss profanities every time my daughter latched on. You forget how bad it hurts! It should only last about four weeks, and then out of nowhere it just stops hurting. I used to douse my nipples in that lanolin stuff and it helped a lot. I also would pump from the sorer of the breast and feed her from a bottle just to allow time for the nipples to somewhat heal! Good luck, and remember how easy it is after that first month!

It usually lasts two to three weeks. I used Lansinoh before and after nursing and it really helped. Get it at a drug store. Also, maybe he is latching on wrong....adjust his little mouth and your breast so it fits in nicely.

good luck

Hi L.,

Congratulations on the birth of your son! I've experienced shooting pains when I've had a clogged duct. Is it possible you have a clogged duct? You mention pain and tenderness after he nurses. Is your breast red? Does it feel engorged at times? If you think it may possibly be a clogged duct, I would gently massage the breast while he nurses. Nurse him on demand to drain the breast. You can also apply warm compresses while he's nursing or let the warm shower water run over your breasts while you shower. I would avoid using the cabbage leaves because they can dry up your milk supply.

It may be a good idea to contact your local La Leche League Leader to seek her support too. Your local leader would be able to check his latch and confirm if it's a latch issue or something else. Do you hear clicking while he nurses? There shouldn't be any clicking sounds. Can you see his tongue under your nipple? You want to see his tongue. I realize you have 2 other children and breastfeeding experience but I am just troubleshooting here so please don't be offended.

Here are the local names and numbers of your area leaders and the meetings. You shouldn't be experiencing pain so please contact someone knowledgable about breastfeeding.
http://www.lllofnc.org/Groups/charlottearea.html

You may also find this article beneficial in helping you to determine what the cause of your pain is.
http://www.llli.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVFebMar00p10.html

I hope you find relief soon and enjoy your little one.

Peace,
J.

you may have become a bit "chapped" from the baby nursing. (i.e. over dry, sensitive , cracking skin) it may help if you clean your breast with a wet cotton ball (water only) each time you nurse and then apply neosporin to your entire nipple area. Be sure to cleanse the area again before feeding to keep the baby from injesting the medicine. To ease soreness try laying a heating pad on your chest for a few minutes after you've put the baby down. It's very good for relaxing your chest muscles and encourages healthy milk glands too.(Give yourself a little mommy time.... It's amazing!)
Hope this helps. It did wonders for me. :O)

Lanolin! I use Lansinoh and it helps! It has been 5 wks for us and is getting better.

L.,
I feel (felt) your pain! My kids are also 5 years apart. It's almost like starting from scratch! I think you may want to check that he is latching on with mouth wide open. I remember if my babies didn't take in enough areola I had the same kind of pain you described. What I would do is break the seal with my finger and try it again. But the second (or even third) time, make sure you almost tease the baby first by brushing the nipple around the mouth to coax him to open his mouth wider. It really works! Best of luck to you and congratulations!

There's a fine line between the initial pain it takes to breastfeed and an infection. When I first started I felt a sharp pain as well that subsided a little after a while, but then it'd come back again the next time. I waited it out and waited it out. It turned out that that kind of pain is NOT normal, and I had an infection. So, yes, sore nipples are normal, but sharp pains and this achy tender feeling might not bed. Just check with your doctor to be safe.

My Mom and Aunt swear by this and I have tried it a couple times when I got sore. You take 2 regular tea bags, the cheap stuff from Walmart, like black tea or orange pekoe. Soak them in hot water, squeeze most the hot water out and when they are cool enough to put on your skin, stick them on and put breast pads over them. you can wear them around for a while to help with the pain. Just make sure you wear pads or a bra that you don't mind getting stained.
Good luck and it's great that your forging on for your baby. So important!

Make sure you don't have yeast infection in your nipple is the only thing I can think ofthe causes sharp pain when the baby first latches on. Congrats on baby 3!!!

It last about two weeks, When I would lubricate my nipples with lanolin cream before my daughter fed it seemed to ease the pain I was much more comfortable. Hopefully this helps, it gets easier, next thing you know you will be nursing in autopilot.

T. I am a WM of a 13 month old girl and a 15 year old girl.

I know exactly what you are describing. I remember pinching my leg or something to deffer the pain for those first ten or so seconds. I know it competely goes away with the time and cannot remember when it went away completely for me but I don to think it was before first four weeks for sure. It is normal though. :) Stick with it! My baby is eleven months and I am still breastfeeding.

Hi L.,
One of my breasts was the same way when I started nursing my now 7 month old daughter. Use Lashinosh Lanolin between every feeding and it helped me also to soak my breasts in warm water. Just get in a warm bath, lean over and soak them for as long as you can. Then the lanolin, then nurse and so on. The pain will eventually go away. Also, make sure your baby is latching on correctly. Make sure her mouth is wide open when latching on. You can stroke her cheek or blow in her face and see if that helps her to open up more. Congratulations and hang in there! The pain should stop if you try these things.

Lanolin and tylenol. Rub the lanolin on the nipples after each feeding, it will help keep your nipples from being dry and cracked. And as always that trusty bottle of tylenol. If neither of these work wait til your next baby check up and ask them to watch the baby latch on and make sure it is doing so correctly. Ask for any other reasons there also. Congratulations on the newest addition!!

Hi L.,
This product SAVED me. It taught my son how to latch on correctly. I didn't use it all the time but when my nipples were sore they helped alot! They are only $6 each. I had 2 or 3 and absolutely LOVED them!!! Here is a link: http://www.target.com/Medela-Contact-Nipple-Shield-Small/...
You can also find them at Babies R Us. I'm sure you are willing to try anything once. This will help.

Hi L.,
I had the same problem with my now 8-month-old. I would dread the initial sharp pain, but then the rest of the feeding was fine. I think the worst of the soreness was gone after a month. (I know it seemed to last forever!) Hang in there, it gets much better. I used Lansinoh lanolin for my sore nipples (and to protect them from cracking) and also took ibuprofen to help with the pain. Maybe you should see what your Dr. or lactation consultant recommends.

I had the same reaction both times I started breastfeeding...the sharp pain at first. I think it lasted 2 weeks until things became painfree and easy. I think your breasts are just getting used to breastfeeding...I feel your pain though and remember it. I'm still breastfeeding my 12 month old and have to heartedly endorse sticking with it for as long as you can! Good luck and hang in there!

HEy, sounds like everything is fine. When the baby latches on you have this toe curling pain for about 10-20 sec then stops. Baby is probably latching on good. If the pain continues through the entire feeding you need to see a lactation consultant. The toe curling lasts about a month. Your breasts will get use to it!

Like the other women who have posted, I had pain for about two weeks after starting breastfeeding. I worried the whole two weeks because everything I read said that if he was latching properly, it shouldn't hurt. That was not my experience. Two weeks, then no pain. Lanolin did not work for me. If your nipples are what's sore, I highly recommend the breasfeeding shields by medela. They sell them at target and babies r us. They are not the nipple shaped shields, they are disks about the size of the palm of your hand. They fit neatly in your bra and are undetectable and help catch any leaky milk. They were life savers those first few weeks!

Congratulations on your new baby and good luck with the breastfeding!