Breastfeeding for 3days now HELP!

Cáit - posted on 07/16/2012

I had exactly the same problem and i agree that some are more sensitive then others, i cried for the first few days while my daughter was feeding lol but after about too weeks the pain stopped. if u hand express a small amount of milk and rub it on your nipple, then leave your breasts exposed as much as possible and when you are in bed as the air is a great healer. If your having trouble getting him to suckle try skin to skin feeding. express some milk on your nipple and poke his nose with it and this should encourage him. try not to give him formula as this will reduce ur supply. One night my daughter threw up blood from my nipple, i thought it was dangerous for her to drink blood (but turns out it isn't) so i gave her formula that night and the milk reduced so i had to pump between feeds to get it back up. and don't worry about how often he feeds, she fed every 5 or 6 hours and was putting on loads of weight until i gave her the bottle and then she started feeding very 2 hrs so enjoy the rest between feeds and hang in there

Tameka - posted on 07/01/2012

oooo that is rough. have you tried any nipple cream? with my daughter i used the laninoln...however you spell that and the medela one, but they are such rough creames. my favorite one is from earth mama angel baby. my doula gave it to me. it smells so good, is natural, and it feels soooo nice. like that soft tingling feeling. i promise you will love it. please dont give up, it is the best and healthiest thing for you and your baby. go here to buy it http://www.swansonvitamins.com/EMA003/It...

www.naturallyprevailingessence.com

Kayla - posted on 06/28/2012

Trying pumping works just find no bleeding

Rebecca - posted on 06/27/2012

Try a Breast Shield i have been using one from birth for my sons feeding

Evea - posted on 06/26/2012

Breastfeeding is always best. I had this exact same problem. Don't give up! You can do it! What i did was put a warm washcloth on your nipples, let it sit on them for about 5 minutes. then start the feeding, it will probably hurt a little bit, but you have to push through it for the better health of your son, and once your actual milk comes in, your nipples will have built a tolerance for it, and it shouldn't hurt at all. Good luck and keep up the good work.

Kylia Marie - posted on 06/14/2012

i have to thank all of you ladies you all have been so helpful my son is latching so much better he is doing great and i love it

Taryn - posted on 06/06/2012

oh yesss lol i had the exact same problem but with myself my daughter was tounge tied so it was really hard for her to breasfeed !!! so for two weeks i had to let her latch on to just my nipple so she could eat .... then she got her tounge tie clipped but it still hurt because your boobs are getting use to haven a baby suck on them all the time its normal you just have to let your nipples get used to it!! and what ever u do donnot use that softening dry nipple cream it just makes it soft then your boobs gotta get rough and dry all over again!!! just tough it out it will eventually get better... promise lol

Tia - posted on 06/06/2012

HANG IN THERE!!! the 2nd day i was feeding seriously, i was crying & feeding my son at the same time. but by the time your milk comes in itll be better. get some nipple cream LANSINOH is the best! good luck, whatever you do dont give up, every breastfeeding woman goes through the same pain...

Colleen - posted on 06/04/2012

Hang in there!!!!! All of the advice already given is great!!! Medela makes an amazing nipple cream that you don't have to worry about wiping off before you nurse... you can get it at Target! Best of luck to you!!!!

Taylor - posted on 06/03/2012

I had the SAME problem! I know this is against what every breastfeeding book tells you, but I decided to pump exclusively until my nipples healed. The trick is to get a good anti-colic bottle (I prefer Tommy Tippee because it's kinda breast-shaped). By the time I had healed up, baby had learned better technique from the breast-shaped bottle and everything was fine. Also, it helps to relax! Baby can tell when you're nervous and it will make him nervous! Sounds crazy, but it's true!

Good Luck! :)

Haven - posted on 05/30/2012

The 1st week after giving birth I we both got Thrush very badly(I've had it numerous times since then) and each time I had it the pain was UNBEARABLE!!!! It feels like I'm nursing razerblades. Usually the creams works within a couple of days, but occasionally you need oral anti-fungal to get rid of it. And then it's back to blissful breastfeeding.
(at least until their teeth come in) ;-)

Claire - posted on 05/30/2012

IT GETS EASIER! I remember having to bite my lip and squeeze my husband's hand so hard just so I wouldn't scream at my newborn. Now my daughter is 2 years and 3 months old and we are still breastfeeding. I love it! I am so happy I did and I did not give myself the option of failing. I knew I wanted to breastfeed, and for a long time, so I just kept that in mind and got through the pain of the first week! PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP! Do what you know is best for your baby and you!!!!! Keep the baby nursing frequently, and welcome to motherhood :D

Lorraine - posted on 05/30/2012

I agree with all the comments don't give up i've even fed through a bite incision that my DD did was very painful but i fed through it, plus after every feed squeeze a bit a breast milk on your nipple to help it heal and not get cracked nipples good luck.

Tatiana - posted on 05/28/2012

my nipples hurt for the first few days, it got better. Do make sure he's latched on correctly though, if he's sucking on the nipple only and doesn't have his mouth wrapped around the areola then the pain is only going to get worse. Lansinoh cream helped me with the nipple soreness.

Erin - posted on 05/28/2012

at this age they should be eating every 2-3 hours ( 8 to 12 times a day). It is super important to wake him up if he goes longer. I know someone who did not and the kid lost a lot of weight and almost had organ failure.
I agree yuo can pump and give him. It you are worried about nipple confusion yuo can give him 3ml at a time from a siringue.
Good luck and do not give up.

I agree with the others, if it hurts it is probably the latch. Make sure the top lip is folded outwards.

Valeria - posted on 05/27/2012

I had the excat same problem as you. I endured the pain you're going through for a whole month. I cried while I was breastfeeding. It turned out I was doing it wrong and I had to figure it out by myself because I couldn't get any help. Make sure when you're about to latch him on your nipple is pointing towards his nose. That was the BIG problem. The only mistake I made was that, it was the only difference between a painless nice experience and a horrible teeth clenching one. Good luck, and don't give up. I'm glad I didn't.

*Edit* Also I forgot to mention my nipples scabbed up like crazy the first week. That was the worst. And the nurses at the hospital didn't help they didnt know what they were doing. Do what I didn't, go to a lactation consultant in person ASAP.

Tania - posted on 05/27/2012

Nursing is not always as easy as it seems - but I commend you for your efforts and urge you not to give up. My babies (4) all had some sort of initial problems - but I was able to nurse all of them through trouble shooting and great help from La Leche Lague and lactation consultant in my area. My second, I still remember, had be bleeding and it was so painful - but remember, you may feel discomfort the first few seconds, but it should ease up the rest of the feeding - if it does not - latch on may indeed be the problem. My best advice - get all the help you can before you decided on giving up - and seriously - do not give him formula right now - It is less work for him to take a bottle and he may get too lazy to come back to the breast - not always the case - but can happen.

Emily - posted on 05/26/2012

Oh, sweetie, I do understand. Had the same thing with both my kids. I only fed Lauren for 10 weeks because it was 24/7 and then she bit me so hard she drew blood. With Sam, now 3-ish, I was less determined because of my bad experience but managed to keep going which led to a great BF relationship lasting until he was 2 and 2 months!! I just want to reassure you that you are doing well to have got through the first days of motherhood still feeding.

If it's that painful, you have probably got a problem with the latch, I mean the way he attaches to your nipple. This is a common problem, it's hard to work out at first but a good midwife/early childhood nurse should be able to show you how to do it properly. (I had to be shown many times and felt like an idiot, but that's OK, it's worth it.)

Now I have this great relationship with Sam and I am confident that I will be able to feed number 3 (due in October) just as well. I hope this message has helped you. Best of luck.

Julie - posted on 05/26/2012

Get to a lactation consultant quick! Hospitals will usually have one or try La Leche League. Nursing takes a little adjustment but you may have a bad latch. Most take about two weeks to get into the swing of things. Don't give up. It's so worth it.

Cassandra - posted on 05/25/2012

Give it another week... With my first son it hurt for but a week or two the pain subsided and I nursed him until almost two. And now I am nursing my second second son. It hurt for less than a week... Hang in there... It's worth it in the end.. Try the patches and creams

Shayna - posted on 05/25/2012

On top of all the other advice (which I also agree with!) the most important thing I learned about breastfeeding was to RELAX. When I got tense and irritable because of the soreness, frustration, or worry, my milk didn't want to let down, and my baby could feel the stress and tension in me! That made her tense and irritable, so it was a nasty cycle: Mommy gets stressed, baby gets stressed, and that made mommy MORE stressed... So when you have the latch figured out, try to put a cool compress on to dull the ache a bit, then breathe and get yourself as calm as possible. You can try having someone (hubby?) rub your feet while you're nursing, listen to music that makes you mellow and happy, put on a calm movie that you love, then take another deep breath, and love that baby through the pain. If the latch is correct, the soreness will fade. It only takes a couple weeks to get a routine established when you're doing everything right, and your nipples will thank you for it! In case no one else has directed you to the La Leche League website, here it is: http://www.llli.org/ We only have a tiny group in our small town, so one of the leaders will visit at home, if you ask them. Worth a try, if you can't get out easily.

Erin - posted on 05/25/2012

Mine hurt so bad after about the 4th day I was praying he didn't want to eat lol I had a lactation consultant at the hospital so I know I was doing it right. My son took to it right away...I think sometimes some are more sensitive then others...I used the cream and it really did work wonders and it felt much better in a few days...and I didn't have that pain again. Like everyone said its worth asking for the help just to make sure...but don't give up...it does get better :)

Heather - posted on 05/24/2012

Are your nipples shiny? Did he have to have, or did you, have to have Antibiotics during birth? If so, ask your OB for a prescription to Nystantin Cream and ask the pediatrician for something for your son for what is called Thrush.You can put it on your nipples AND the cream on his booty if he has a red rash! It does help, a lot.

Also nursing takes time, they will get better. You can also purchase Lanisoh (purple box with a tube inside) or another kind of nipple cream cream that will help soothe your nipples and it won't hurt your son to nurse on your nipples with the cream on them, even though I normally wipe it off before nursing my children and immediately put it back on when they are done.

Keep trying, it's only been 3 days, but do contact your OB and his pediatrician AND a Lactation Consultant if you can.

Michelle - posted on 05/24/2012

Lots of good info here, but I'm not sure why you think you need hard nipples? The baby will suck on a soft nipple, it's just a case of lineing them up right, and the links here and seeing a lactation consultant should help. Also look at laid back nursing positions, comfortable and I found pretty straightforward.

Karen - posted on 05/24/2012

Your son is NOT Latching Properly! Call a Lactation Consultant or a Le Leche League member! My nipples NEVER got HARD while nursing, they should stay relatively Soft and form to the baby's mouth. It sounds like he is only taking the Tip and not WHOLE areola! He needs to have as much your entire nipple in his mouth as possible! His lips should be opened, it can help if when he goes to latch you push down on his chin a little to open his mouth wider. It needs to be opened WIDE! Now I Hate to tell you this, but you are going to hurt for a while! My son latched wrong Once and it hurt for a week! I'm sure people have told you to use Lanolin, but I didn't. It can actually make your baby not want to latch because your scent is changed. The Very best thing a woman can ever use to heal cracked and painful nipples is her Own MILK! It might sound odd, but trust me, it works Wonders! Express just a couple of drops by hand and rub it around and into your nipples. I might feel a little sticky but that's okay. It is the best healing you could ever ask for. Now, for pumping, even if you do switch to pumping now, it is going to hurt for a while because the damage is already done, but it Will heal. The trick with a pump is to make sure you have right size and that you do not turn up the suction too far. If it is too small, even by a millimeter or two, it can cause more damage, and Bruising of the nipple tip, same is true if you use too strong of a suction. Only use enough suction to express a stream of milk. More suction does NOT equal more milk, too strong a suction causes more damage and Decreases your milk supply. I say try to stick with nursing, but if you cannot, do Not feel bad! It doesn't always work for everyone! I have 8 women in my immediate family and I am the only one who nursed longer than a month! You can do it, but again, it is OK if you need to stop. Also don't feel bad if you cannot successfully pump, not all women can pump. A friend of mine nursed her children but was never able to pump more than an ounce. Hey, that's what they make formula for, so do not feel bad at all if that is ultimately what you have to do. Again. I'm sorry you are in so much pain, I hope you get him to latch properly and continue nursing, but as I said, you Are going to hurt for a while! Good Luck.

Lesli - posted on 05/24/2012

The cabbage leaved will dry your milk up. Do not do that unless you are planning to stop nursing.

Lesli - posted on 05/24/2012

I'm a lactation consultant. I nursed all three of my boys as well. The advice from Ashley was wonderful! Definitely look at the link she posted. You can return any time to the hospital you delivered at and ask to see the lactation consultant. They would be most happy to help you should you need further assistance. I applaud you for not giving up. You are making an excellent choice. Good luck!!

Brandi - posted on 05/24/2012

Ok I agree with all the comments; however if this is your first time breast feeding or it's been over a year since you have your breasts need to adjust to this new sensation. The dry cracked nipples are normal and so is the scabing. Its like playing a guitar. When you start your fingers blister and crack. Then the skin becomes used to it and the callousness goes away. Your milk should numb the pain once it starts to flow. Also don't worry about how often he is eating. If he is gaining weight, and is peeing and pooping regularly you shouldn't worry. My son ate every 6. Hrs and slept the rest of the time and he is fine.

Melissa - posted on 05/24/2012

you should call me, I am going to delete my post at the end of the day today so my number will not be available to everyone.

Kylia Marie - posted on 05/24/2012

i am not giving up !i am getting the cream and the gels and i will check walmart for a nipple shield , i am waiting for a homecare nurse to come out and help and tomorrow i will talk to the pediatrician , i got a breast pump yesterday and he is eating normally i still try to get him to latch befor i bottle feed him but its not working hopefully i can get this figured out , thanks ladies you are all so helpful

Bethany - posted on 05/24/2012

Call the hospital where you delivered. I am sure they have a lactation consultant on staff. You could also just go up to the labor and delivery unit where you delivered. They will help you and note importantly they will reassuring you that hes doing well. you can even call your pediatrician. I know mine offers breast feeding support. Don't give up!! It is so, so worth it.

Ania - posted on 05/24/2012

I had my daughter on the 21 too. We are in the same boat I'm constantly nursing my nipples are super sore I can't put her down because she is screaming but I'm not giving up no matter what. On top of that I have my toddler who is a little unhappy because he doesn't have his mommy all to himself. Use lanolin on your nipples and try to bf all the time it will pass you are not alone. Have to go put my son down for a nap with my daughter attached to my sore body.

Angela - posted on 05/23/2012

sometimes when you lay down with your baby that helps too. thats what i did with my babies. my son also had issues latching on. good luck to you and your son.

Joy - posted on 05/23/2012

Here's a blog/post that may also encourage you. It came across from my support group tonight:

http://www.conscienceparenting.com/2012/...

Carlee - posted on 05/23/2012

Great advice from all previous posts! Definitely breast shields will help, but call lactation! The baby latch is key and the baby needs to learn this....always help but pulling open the mouth. Good luck! It is so worth it!

Kylia Marie - posted on 05/23/2012

i do offer my it to him every 2 hours and even when he doesnt take ill wait a half hour offer it again and keep doing that until he takes it or feels like sucking, my milk is coming in now when i squeeze there is no more colostrum coming out , he does open his mother and i squeeze so he gets some and he will look like he is about to suck but he wont he kinda just licks and falls asleep

Kylia Marie - posted on 05/23/2012

Yes Melissa i would love your number , it scares me that he only eats every 5 or 6 hours but when i can get him on he will eat for 20 minutes then stop and poop ill change him then he will eat for about 5 or 10 minutes , he is pooping and peeing a few times a day tho

Michelle - posted on 05/23/2012

I know what you are going through! My son did not latch correctly, not sure if he EVER learned to latch correctly. However I BF until he was 4 (By then it was really once in a while). However, during the first 6 months, it was hard.
#1 - Get a nipple shield from Medela, use it until you are healed and then discontinue as soon as possible since he could begin to like it and you don't want to continue using if you don't have too.
#2 - Get Lanolin cream to put on the nipple. it's safe for the baby and it will just put a coating on the nipple to help heal it and keep it from getting dry. You can get at Target or Walmart.
#3 - contact LLL or a lactation consultant. They are there to help!
#4 - when my son was born and my milk had come in (Which was about 4-5 days after he was born), he would nurse about every 1.5 hours and then he was a lingering nurser, so he would nurse for 30-45 minutes. I didn't get much break!
Going 5 hours is very long for a newborn. I would offer it every 2 if he isn't nursing more often then that.

Good luck and you are not alone!!!

Kylia Marie - posted on 05/23/2012

i am worried cause most of the day he will only eat about every 5 or 6 hours then at night he wants 2 eat every hour but today its like he doesnt even feel like sucking and im not sure if its because my nipples wont really get hard no matter what i try , my DH just went to buy me a pump because i cant get him to suck at all today and i had to give him 3 formula bottles today which made me really upset

Kaitlin - posted on 05/23/2012

first, take a breath.
I would try to find a support system in your area. The hospital you delivered at may have a drop in breastfeeding class/consultation free of charge for new mothers.
Talk to your OB about your options for pain relief. You can try lansinoh cream, or they can give you a script strength. You can also try putting cold compresses on your nipples before and after BFing- or cold cabbage leaves.
As far as your milk, it can take up to two weeks for your milk to fully come in. The little colostrum he is getting is what he needs. His stomach size increases as your supply increases- so he is full even on a little amount in these early days. Also, in the early days, you should be sure you are offering him the breast at least every two to three hours. Four to five hours for a newborn is not enough. It will get easier.
Keep an eye out for infection and mastitis. If you get a fever, call your doc right away for some antibiotics (that are safe while breasteeding).

Melissa - posted on 05/23/2012

Contact either LeLeche League or a lactation consultant. They will be able to help. This sounds like the baby is not latching on correctly. I am a consultant myself and if you want to give me your phone number I am willing to work with you over the phone.

Ashley - posted on 05/23/2012

There is not a set time on how often babies eat because every baby is different..I would definitely not let him go 5 hours though...Once he gets the hang of it he will probably start to nurse more. Most of all it is about you being comfortable nursing..Don't be stressed it will work out!

Kylia Marie - posted on 05/23/2012

thank you so much i really dont want to give up , yes i will try the boppy pillow , how often is he supposed to eat cause most times he goes 4 to 5 hrs without eating its even hard for me to wake him up and make him eat he does seem to eat long when he does , i am going to try what u said and i hope it works if not a pump will help so he gets what he needs instead of formula

Ashley - posted on 05/23/2012

Here is a link that you can look at as well for the latch...you need to make sure that your nipple is pointing up (towards the top of his mouth)...

http://www.parents.com/baby/breastfeedin...

Ashley - posted on 05/23/2012

First off, it sounds like he is not latched on correctly..For you to be in that much pain so early! Do you have a boppy pillow?...If so when you position him on the boppy pillow looked down and make sure he opens his mouth up wide to where he is taking in all of your nipple and his lips are covering most or all of your areola...If you need help I would reach out to a lactation consultant and have them look at his latch and help you out with that..If you are not able to breastfeed directly...Do not be discouraged! You can use a pump...Any breast milk is better than formula!....Also to help with your sore nipples...there are gel pads that you can purchase from even walmart (avent brand) and you can put them in the frezzer/refrigerator and put them on your nipples that should help out. Also get some lanolin cream....If I were you I would definitely not give up but instead try to work more on his latch...Some babies take longer to get it....I know my son had latch issues when he was first born and I actually bought a nipple shield, it worked wonders!!! So I would try that first! You can get this at walmart and the brand is Medela. What you can I do to get him to get on to the shield is express a little milk (breast) onto the shield and then get him to latch on. I hope this helps you out..I went through the same thing with my little one! Try not to give up but if it doesn't work there is always the pump! :)