Latest Breast Feeding Challenge

not knowing how often you pump, but I would suggest pump after taking your shower. Since the warmth helps to release the milk.

When you do pump, start the pump off at a lower setting. My medela I can change the speed and how much pressure as well. i start off and then increase the pressure and speed.

So glad to hear it's going better! The sore nipples are *awful*. I had them for weeks, and it still comes back sometimes. It hurt so much I almost gave up on breastfeeding altogether. The worst is that since you're feeding/pumping so frequently, your poor nipples never get a chance to heal!

I used the Lansinoh cream constantly. It's specifically meant for nipples and is non-toxic for the baby. It doesn't really heal you, but it's really soothing to put it on, and helps with some of that painful robe or bra rubbing (it's also great protection in the shower if the water pressure hurts). If you're able to pump an extra feeding, give him a 100% bottle feeding, no boobs. That will give you an extra couple hours to heal up a little. Also you probably knew this already but just in case - you don't need to wash your nipples. Just getting some water on there will do fine, no need to rub soap on there or anything, which would irritate more.

Sadly there doesn't seem to be too much else you can do for it, but it *does* go away if you can stick it out for a few weeks. Between the baby learning to latch better, your nipples getting used to all the tugging, and hopefully needing to feed+pump a little less, it will get better.

How big of flanges are you using. I have to use the wider ones for pumping so my nipples don't rub against the side, the friction hurt my nipples and made them sensitive. I would check and see if that is an issues. If it is you can either order new ones or talk with a LC at the hospital and get some from them. also are you having the pump on too high of a level. You are suppose to turn it up until it hurts and then bring it back down till if feels comfortable, I can only have my pump on medium but it does great at getting the milk out.

But my the sounds of it I think you are feeling what I did when the pump flanges where small and my nipples rubbed.

Hope this helps

Can you see a lactation consultant? Usually, that much nipple soreness is from latching on incorrectly. Sometimes it's easily fixed, or it could be that your baby is a tiny bit tongue-tied and that can be fixed too. It's definitely worth a visit to see!

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How long have you been doing this? It will take a few days to a week to toughen your nipples up. My youngest son would latch on and for the first 30 sec or so it was awful! After a week it didnt bother me anymore. Good luck!

Be triple sure that your breast is positioned correctly in the pump AND that you have the right size shield. I am large breasted, but have pretty small nipples...it took a couple of tries to make sure I have the right size shield that would pull the breast in evenly. I knew right away if there was anything off-center and rubbing. I also used lanolin when I pumped. It improved the seal and reduced the friction.

It sounds like you're doing great! Keep it up and it will get easier.

Hi,

I had identical issues with my two kids and found that there is little else that can help but resting your breasts (that is no pumping and skipping feedings when too sore, substitute with formula), despite the general belief my milk supply did not diminish. With my first I was adament about only breast feeding and nursed through the pain (squeezing my breast when feeding really works for the pain, you just make it into 'a sandwich' with a thumb and forefinger and middle finger- at approx 2 inches from the areola - as per my lactation consultant advice). With the second I knew that the pain will eventually go away (my sister in law compares it to breaking in new boots; she has breast fed 3 kids) so I have started supplementing early on, my son was on about half the feedings on formula to start with but by month 2 we have worked up to breast only feeding with little to no pain.
I'm not sure where you live but with current moisture in the air creams are not advisable, they work in winter when the air is dry. Instead airing your breasts and letting little bit of breast milk (antiseptic) dry on them is recommended (by ob-gyn). I had to wear soft, 100% cotton, fairly tight bra non stop because the rubbing against a robe, any t-shirt was unbearable.
Hope it helps and hang in there :) And do give your breasts a rest occasionally, it will only help getting over the pain faster in the long run.

Sometimes, that is just what it is......I experience similar pain pretty much the first 6 months, though it gradually got better. (It was excrutiating for me at first). I used Lasinoh lanolin before and after every shower and nursing for months. I did find that it helped to wear a nursing tank top (got them at Target) 24/7, with cotton breast pads. This prevented the rubbing and applied the pressure, and that definitely helped.

Hi I am a Mom to 4 kids and have nursed exclusively with all of them. I know first hand that those first few weeks can be pretty painful. It is possible that the baby isn't latching on right and that can make you very sore, and the pumping is just making things worse. You could also try these things called soothies. They have helped me in the past with soreness. Just keep them in the fridge and use them in between nursings or pumpings they stick to your breasts so they really help to cut down on the chaffing. I would recomend calling around before you go hunting for them if possible as sometimes they can be a little tricky to find. I can tell you though I have seen them at Walmart and Rite Aid you might even be able to get them at babies r us or cvs. Good luck and hang in there it will get better.

Hi! Looks like the answer I just wrote got deleted :( Anyhow, sorry to hear you're in pain, I've been there with nipple soreness and it's terrible! I would see your Dr. or a lactation consultant right away- why continue suffering? You could have a mild case of thrush that a little anti-fungal could clear up quickly and you could be feeling better in a day. My OB has a "recipe" for a nipple ointment that has some vaseline, some anti-biotic and some anti-fungal (very small amounts of both), but I swear since I started using it I haven't been sore and it's safe for you and the baby. I had to go to a family Rx to get it made, but it was well worth it. If you're interested let me know and I can get you my Dr's number and you can call for the recipe.
Hope you feel better!
L.

I pump a lot, and my nipples got sooo sore for the first few weeks! I started making sure to "lube" them up with a little hand-expressed BM before I start pumping to help with chaffing, then when I am done I rub a little BM into them and let them air dry before fixing my bra... My LC put me on to this trick, and I haven't had to use any creams or anything. :)

I thought I was going to die nursing towards the beginning with my 2 1/2 month old baby (he's my 3rd, so I wasn't exactly inexperienced). I have 3 words of advise for you.

1 - make sure the breast shield attachments for your pump are big enough! Your nipples may be larger than usual if they're irritated. I had the wrong size shields as I pumped with my first two kids, but couldn't believe the difference it made when up upped a size (or two!) on the breast shields.

2 - apply lanolin (not just any nipple cream - this is the only stuff that would be safe if the baby ingested it) BEFORE you pump. It protects your nipples from rubbing, or even just the push/pull of the pump.

3 - if you can find a compounding pharmacy around you (one that can actually MIX medicine, not just a reseller of pre-made medicine), have your doctor call in a prescription for Dr. Jack Newman's nipple ointment. This stuff was completely amazing, and helped reduce soreness, etc, along with any other issues with my nipples.

I swear these three things saved my breastfeeding relationship with my sweet little baby! I hope things work out for you :)