Help - Breastfeeding Is Excruciating!

I am an OB RN so I teach mom's to breastfeed. My first advice is to go make an appointment with an LC ASAP, they are wonderful. Make sure she is ALWAYS latched on well because previous trauma will take a while to heal and may burn. Use breastmilk or lanolin on nipples after you feed to help heal. Try different positions to see if it helps. Maybe just go to pumping for a few times/days until it is feeling better then go back to nursing directly. It is hard to say without seeing the latch. Is your nipple nice and round after the feeding? It should be. It could even be thrush or something like that.

Try taking a hot shower right before. As hot as you can stand it and let the water hit your breasts as much as possible. I know when I was breastfeeding my 2nd child he would sometimes not empty the breast and then the next time around it seemed like it was clogged. When the milk finally did release it was terribly painful. Usually it would feel like sharp shooting pains, like needles almost. It never lasted the whole time he was eating though. I'd agree that you need to make an appointment with a LC though because maybe she isn't latching on right. Just remember, you both are new to this. Everyone thinks you should just KNOW how to do it but that's not true...you both need to learn how. Don't think it's your fault either because lots of women have trouble breastfeeding...especially first time moms.

Hi V.,
I don't know if they already told you to put a warm wash cloth on your breast to get some relife from the pain. After each feeding wipe off your breast.

Hey there V.! First of all...DON'T get discouraged! As a first time mom of a now 8 month old baby girl who I am still breastfeeding for all but one feeding(now she gets a little solids at dinner w/ her breastfeeding!) but you are describing my story almost verbatim!!! I too had the c-section with the pain meds, and the baby stayed at the hospital for 1 week on an antibiotic for an mild upper respitory infection...so for that first week I was having to pump for the overnite feedings and go up to the hospital every 2-3 hours for her breastfeeding attempts!! The rented medela pump really helped me get through the first month of trying to get my milk to come in and through the blocked ducts, etc!! The pain does suck but i promise you, you will get through it!!! There were numerous times even after I had been nursind a good 4 months that I wanted to give up, but I stuck it out and I and going to really go as long as we both can, whether thats a year or a little shorter or longer depending on what works for BOTH of us! Keep in contact with friends, your lactation consultant,and this web group, whoever you might need to help emotionally support you during this time! It always helps to know your not alone and that many of us have gone through the exact same thing! You can do it!! Please feel free to contact me personally if you need any more advice or just support!

PS-You might try a heating pad on low on the breast with mastitis for the pain, that did help a little bit...good luck!

I used Lanolin to help with the cracking and bleeding before and after breastfeeding and that helped me tremendously!! Good luck :)

I am a Mom to two beautiful girls, the first I was not able to breastfeed, the second I was, and in your shoes. I was tired of the pain. Do not give up hang in there. I can not explain the pain, the nurse keep telling me that it was due to poor latching, I on the other hand did not think so. But, after a few weeks on gritting and barring the pain it stopped and I breastfeed her for almost 8 months till I was Dx with a thyroid issue. She is a healthy, happy baby and I am glad I did not give up. I also started pumping milk and that would help with the pain. I hope this info and words of incouragement helps in your decission. Good Luck