SORE NIPPLES!!!!!!

[Jadie]

HI girls,

Oliver is 12 days old now I am trying to feed him myself, but I got really sore, I have had three midwires on call out to see me as I have been depressed about it.
Ay one point I was staying away from him so he would not want feeding!!!

I used sheilds but oliver wouldnt settled after his feeds and they did not solve the lacthing on problem.

So i strarted expressing, but i was pumping every hour for one feed, every 3 hours!

anyway my bits heeled so I started feeding again, but I am getting sore again now!!

he seems to me to be latching on ok!

of all the midwifes I have seen about this only one has seen him feed!!

can I have your surport, encouragement and advice???

I dont want to stop feeding him!!!!!!!!!

Jadie

 

[Hypnorm]

you would be better off speaking to a breast feeding councillor they can help you - they will be able to give advice to see if baby is latching on properly. if you are getting sore or you are finding feeding painful then it sounds like an incorrect latch.
I've found some useful websites which might help. i'll put them on a new post

 

[beanie]

I can only second wha hypnorm said, get your latch checked out. If it is constantly sore whilst feeding then it does point to problems with the latching on, if the pain is there at the beginning but goes away during feeding then it could be that your nipples are still healing. I used lasinoh cream which helped, and also breastmilk, just express a little and rub on nipple. Anothet thing that I found was that it really hurt to have clothes on them and it wasn't always appropriate for me to be topless so I used nipple shells (they look like little bowls which you pop into your bra and it keeps the fabric off them).

Last thing, you are doing fantastically. This is the toughest part of breastfeedng, the early days, and the fact you are still going is something to be proud of.

 

[Rosieroo]

Last thing, you are doing fantastically. This is the toughest part of breastfeedng, the early days, and the fact you are still going is something to be proud of.

I agree!

I suffered terribly from sore nipples to begin with - sore actually doesn't even begin to describe it! I had slits on my nipples and was sure Ella was going to actually pull my nipples off I found trying to feed her in a 'rugby ball hold' helped ease the main pressure off of the sorest parts. Have you tried this? Basically you want to hold him so that his legs are in the opposite direction to what they are when you feed him now. You'll need to pop a pile of cushions next to you to prop him up. I found feeding her in a different position easier when we were lying down - I'd have her head pointing my feet instead of her lying in the same direction as me.

To help with the soreness don't wash your boobs with soap, this will make them hurt more. Don't use paper breastpads, they'll stick to the healing skin and peel off painfully. Use lashings of lansinoh. Let a few drops of breastmilk dry on your nipples naturally after feeding - don't put your nipples away wet. Make sure your baby is getting enough breast in his mouth and that his mouth is WIIIIIIIIIIDE open before you put the breast in - requires some patience but worth it! If you can't get enough breast in then gently squeeze either side of your boob with your hand in a C or U shape so you can get more into his mouth.

The pain will not go away instantly - if your nipples have been damaged then its going to take time to heal so it will still be painful. But it won't last forever. I used to be in tears when Ella latched on sometimes, it would make my toys curl and I couldn't even speak because of the pain - however it passes! My nipples didn't fall off and are now nicely toughened

Well done for getting this far, you're doing great!

 

[Urchin]

Hiya Jadie

Well done for persevering, I PROMISE it does get better.

I would recommend loads of nipple cream and try to have some nude-booby time to help them heal.

 

[Lucy]

Hi Jadie

I really feel for you, I've posted on here many times since starting breastfeeding and received tremendous help, advice and support.

Like Rosieroo I had slits in my nipple ans thought the tops were going to come off! Lansinoh is the best stuff to put on them, it's pure lanolin, you can buy it from boots/mothercare etc or it is available on prescription. Whilst my nipples were healing I found feedin Olivia laying down was the least painful and took the pressure off my bits fown below. Be careful with hygiene whilst your nipples are healing and wipe them with a clean wet tissue after a feed because I lapsed in this area and got thrush in my ducts which was awful.

Here's some links that you might find useful:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/basics/latch-resources.html

http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/

http://www.laleche.org.uk/pages/about/helpline.htm

I phoned the NCT breastfeeding helpline and spoke to a breastfeedin councellor which also helped ( 0870 444 8708 8am-10pm everyday).

Finally, like the others have said it really does get better, hang in there and let us know how you get on

Lucy

 

[hels]

How are you getting on hun? hope things are getting better.
Dont forget you can get Lansinoh from GP, saves you a tenner, and its fab. Well done for sticking with it, your doing a great job xxx