Stinging Breasts

I had similiar symptoms and it turned out to be thrush. Does the baby have any white in their mouth? If so it most likely is thrush. You may still have it even if they don't show sypmtoms. Check into that, because I know it wont' get better until it's treated.

Is it possible you have a plugged duct? Try massaging the area that hurts the most (toward the areola) while you are nursing. Otherwise it could get worse and progress into mastitis.

the only thing i can think of is this kiddo has a deeper suction. i only got a chance to breastfeed my second one but i had all the same symptoms. i went to a nursing consultant as well, several in fact and they exhaustively taught me how to latch her on properly. but that wasnt what it was. so i just went home and decided to ride through it. it took forever. i dont even know how long it took, and im not sure what the matter was but sooner or later my breasts got accustomed to her suction. i did hear some babies have a stronger pull than others even right after birth and they can strain the milk channels or something, so thats probble the feeling your getting. but you can also check with your doctor about that breast infection of a clogged milk duct or something.
good luck

One possible explanation is a yeast infection on your nipples, which is easily fixed with some Nyastatin that is prescribed for thrush. You give baby his dose and also put some on your nipples as per your doctors instructions. Also, if this is the problem, letting your breasts be uncovered as much as possible will help.

See your Dr. you could have and infection. I agree this is not normal. Take care of yourself you are important

J.,

Sometimes mine will sting a little when it is time to feed my baby again. It just means that your milk is ready to let down. It has been this way for me with all four of my babies. If they are really pink/red in color you may have a yeast infection and may want to ask your doctor or a lactation consultant.

Check your son's mouth for thrush (white patchy looking). It could be the start of a yeast infection in your breast. I had one with my daughter except that the pain traveled through my back and it felt like I was being bit at the nipple. You can get Diflucan through your doc and his pedi will give you some drops for your son to take orally at feeding times. These drops absolutely stink but work wonderfully. Best of luck, and great job sticking with it!

When I was nursing I had pain and stinging because my baby had thrush. Once he was treated for thrush with a liquid called nystatin (I applied it to his mouth and my nipples) the pain subsided. You might check into that.

The stinging is probably the "let down" reflex. It allows the milk from the ducts to go into your nipples for nursing. It is uncomfortable, but shouldn't indicate any problems. As for nipple soreness, I got these gel pads...i got them from the hospital...you put them in the refrigerator and then in your bra. They really help. You can also use lanolin on your nipples, it coats and soothes your nipples. I was thinking on it and if you can't get gel packs, fill a ziplock sandwich or snack bag with water and put it in the fridge...I swore by those things. I was sore for a really long time. My body didn't produce very much milk (even though I could feel it let down.) My kids just had to suck hard to get the milk. Make sure you are drinking unusually large quantities of water to make sure you can make enough milk. Good luck!

Hi J., I had this problem but not when I was nursing. I went to my nurse practitioner and she asked me how much caffeine and sugar was I consumming. My reply was a couple of Sprites a day. She suggested I not drink any for a few days and see what happens. The pains went away after a few days. It still happens from time to time if I drink more than 1 Sprite, but I know what causes it. If you have not been to the doctor lately, I would go and get checked out too just to rule out anything else.

Hot showers and compresses, sounds like mastitis. It can really hurt. You may want to call the Dr. but that is what they had me do for it.

I agree with the previous post, my first thought was thrush. Best wishes, and congratulations!

The pain sounds very similar to when my baby had thrush and passed it on to me. It was painful - always - and even more so when he nursed. My baby was given medicine and I also received a speacial cream from my doctor for me. Once we cleared up, all was better.

Good luck. I know how painful it can be.

J., I went through this too. With my first child, it took 5 weeks for that to go away. As long as you don't have a fever and big,painful lumps in your breast, you most likely don't have an infection. The tenderness in nipples should go away soon (I couldn't even stand having clothes touching mine!)If it gets worse or doesn't eventually go away, I would call your Doc.
Sometimes it just takes longer. If your baby is latching on well, it's just a matter of time. Hang in there!
-D. C

Try gentle massage under warm shower. Put lanolin on nipples between feedings. Sorry for your pain.

Hi J.,
Your discomfort may not have anything to do with nursing. Could it be caffeine consumption? I nursed my 4 babies so I know what that feels like. My friend who never nursed said her dr. told her that caffeine--coffee, tea, sodas can make breasts ache. I cut way back on the caffeine and Voila! no breast pain. I haven't nursed a baby in years and had aching til I cut back on caffeine. Hope this is helpful! C.

THRUSH!!!

Sounds like a classic case of thrush, which is a variety of yeast infection.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/thrush/thrush-resourc...

Symptom list form one of those resources:
"In mother:

intense nipple or breast pain that occurs from birth, lasts throughout the feeding, or is not improved with better latch-on and positioning
sudden onset of nipple pain after a period of pain-free nursing
cracked nipples
nipples that are itchy and/or burning and that may appear pink or red, shiny, or flaky and/or have a rash and tiny blisters; nipples may also appear normal
shooting pains in the breast during or after a feeding if the yeast has invaded the milk ducts
nipple or breast pain with correct use of an automatic electric breastpump
a vaginal yeast infection "

it also says "The baby may also be without visible symptoms"

I am currently nursing my 3rd child, but when I was nursing baby 32 I had a case of Thrush. bbay had no symptoms, and I did not have red or cracked nipples at all. BUt I did have the shooting pain, even with correct latch on.
I myselkf used gentian Violet, took garlic and enchinea, and did the vinegar rinses. It took about a week and 1/2 to clear up. If it had gone on longer I would've been willing to take an anti-fungal RX or Diflucan.

Good luck!

BTW - Sugar feeds yeast. So the comment about drinking too many Sprites really hit the nail on the head.

Sounds like when I got Thrush from my daughter. I was treating her thrush, but I went on a trip and ran out of medication before it was cured, and she gave it to me. Your description of symptoms sounded exactly like what I went through. So... I suggest you ask a professional (LLL, doctor, midwife, etc) to look into this option. If it is, it's not hard to treat and is such a relief to get rid of! I really enjoyed nursing my daughter after it went away and didn't wean her until my current pregnancy made me too sore to enjoy it anymore.

Good luck!

I nursed my son until he was 1 yr old and he sort of wenned himself, by the time he was 9 mths old he just wanted "milky" before bed. I am the 1st one to breastfeed in my family and my husbands family, so it was hard to find support and have my questions answered. We use to live in San Antonio and the lacation nurse was soooooo helpful, she even called me after we left the hosptial. The best adivse I can offer is that the 1st 2-3 months were the hardest, my boobs were always hurting and very tender to the touch. Just hold on and I know it will get better, try to pump b4 or after the feeding time this sometimes would make them feel "empty." Just remember that Breast milk is really the best for your baby and it cannot be simulated in formula. Take care and GOD BLESS................

I experienced this with my first son -- I had a yeast infection on the nipples. It was VERY painful and I had to pump while I treated it. My lactation consultant suggested putting Monistat cream on the nipples in between feedings/pumpings, and cleaning it off gently with warm water before feedings/pumpings. This solved the problem within a few days. Also let the breasts air dry as much as possible. Hope this helps!

p.s. -- it is important to check the baby for Thrush, if it is indeed a yeast infection on the nipples.

Had the same problem when my son was three weeks old. I was literally crying every time I had to feed him. This went on for about a week. I just thought that it was becuase this was my first child and my nipples were just tender. Well, I was wrong. On a Saturday night my fever spiked at 103 and my hubby had to take me to the ER. The doc said it was mastitis(spelling?). He treated it with a strong antibiotic which did the trick. Good luck. If you think there is a problem, get it checked out. Even with insurance, a trip to the ER is expensive and you get no choice about your doc. Good luck to you!

J. -
I am so sorry you are in pain. Congrats for sticking with nursing through all of it! We all feel for you! Like others have said it could be an infection, thrush, or something entirely different.
Between now and the time you see your doctor I would highly recommend applying cabbage leaves to your breasts. If you haven't heard this one before, it may sound really crazy - but I swear it works! The trick is to keep the cabbage in the fridge, and when you apply the leaf, crack the veins all over so you get the full effect. I don't know what's in the cabbage, but it has helped every nursing pain I have had with my four. Good luck! I hope your pain subsides quickly!