Why does breastfeeding have to hurt so much?

Angela - posted on 02/20/2010

The first two weeks always hurt me, I'm guessing due to the fact I'm learning how the baby is feeding and the baby is trying to learn how to latch correctly. I always keep cream, and clean breastpads. Always keep the cream on them for the shower. And know it will pass, just keep working on the latch and the baby will get it! Then it's the best thing in the world. You could have had thrush. That's what it sounds like to me, I just got over that. Even having that for 3 months, I wouldn't give up my bond with my daughter for anything!

Mallory - posted on 02/20/2010

I have been breastfeeding my son since birth, I have had very few problems. It could be a laching issue. My son was toung tied (you know that little piece of skin under your toung ) well his was to close to the tip of his toung and caused a few problems but can be correct very easily. also you can all a latation consultant (they also help with latching). Now I find it very comfortable and I know my son belifets from breast milk. you can also try just pumping and feeding it threw a bottle same bennifets. Good luck and dont give up if you can help it. Its worth it in the end.

Amber - posted on 02/19/2010

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ!!!
I had that same problem with my son, he latched correctly, good position, good milk supply. They told me he just had a really strong suction. He made my nipples raw, I had to stop after about 5 wks. With my daughter it was a little different, but still a lot of pain and chapped feeling. Everyone told me to use lanisoh, it didnt seem to help me. I talked to a breastfeeding friend of mine, she told me after each feeding to express a little milk and rub it on my nipple and areola, then let them air dry. That worked wonderfully. Thank God for friends.

Katherine - posted on 02/19/2010

Hang in there, it only gets better! Mine hurt for almost two months but got so pleasant after that. Make sure they latch right before you leave the hospital. Also, keep in mind that breastfeeding is so much better for the baby, so do whatever it takes to get them as healthy as possible. God Bless and good luck!!!

Jennie - posted on 02/19/2010

it should not be painful, it takes time for you and baby to learn the technique, and each baby is different, if you havent had your baby yet or you have and are still managing to breastfeed then see if there are any support groups to go to, surestart do one, they are fab!!! if it hurts take bubba off and try again, I am learning to be a feeding peer support councillor soon, through L Leche. The latch makes all the difference. It may sound a little crude but it is a little like getting used to using tampons, if you put it in and its not right it is uncomfortable, but if its in the right place you shouldnt really notice it. Good luck! :)

Rebecca - posted on 02/19/2010

i hear your pain, i used shields that got me through the ruff part, just always wet them with a cold towel, always air them, use a cream. It does get better after the 2nd month.

Kylie - posted on 02/19/2010

It can hurt alot in the begining, i think your right saying your nipples need to toughen up. But the pain shouldnt last more than a week or so. If it helps you at all, my initial pain lasted alot longer with my first baby than with my second.

Charity - posted on 02/18/2010

It really shouldn't. I had pain for a long time, but somehow I hung in there. I was battling a yeast infection on my nipples. It was probably being passed back and forth between my son and me because he also had thrush. It hurt like hell! At first I thought it was his latch causing the problem, but the lactation consultant assured me he was doing well. The medication the doctors gave me didn't even help. I had to change my diet completely. I cut all (well almost all) sugars/carbs out of my diet for a couple of weeks. Sugars just feed the yeast. Also, nipple creams will provide an amazing breeding ground for it as well so I cut that out as well. My mother found a supplement called Candex that was very helpful also. I finally beat the yeast, but have "relapses" on occasion when I carb overload. If this is the case for you, I feel for you. I really hope you have better luck this time. Now that I have this under control, I have no pain (which I really doubted coud happen) and find breastfeeding to be an enjoyable experience. I'm glad I stuck with it. I do think it started because I had strep B and a very long labor so I had 7 rounds of antibiotics (the nurses seemed to think this was a record for the hospital). In any situation involving antibiotics, you should also be taking probiotics. Normally, I think about this, but with all the stress of being a new mother, it totally slipped my mind. Again, good luck and if you have any questions about this, please send me a message. I wish I would have known more about this sooner.

Linda - posted on 02/18/2010

I breastfed all four of my children. I found that placing as much of my nipple in my baby's mouth as possible helped them latch on well. As far as the pain from breastfeeding, I learned the hard way that once you finish breastfeeding on a nipple, let it completely air dry. You must let your nipple dry and not let it stay moist. The moisture is what causes the nipple to stay soft, then with the moisture and your nipple being in a dark place(in your bra), bacteria can grow causing yeast to grow and can cause cracking (this is painful) which then turns into "scab-like" areas around your nipple. I tried using creams but did not work. Air drying work wonders. Good luck.

Bernadette - posted on 02/18/2010

I also had a hard time in the beginning with breastfeeding my 3 month old son. The lactation specialists at the hospital assured me that he was latched correctly, but it still hurt! There was a point that my nipples were not only sore but cracked and bleeding- I was so discouraged and I felt like quitting every day, but I stuck with it and I'm so glad that I did because I cherish that time spent with him. :) My advise is to try it again, if it hurts- contact a specialist, but just know that it will pass and you'll have some incredible bonding time with your little one that nothing else can match. :) Best of luck!

Mindy - posted on 02/18/2010

I had excruciating, wake-me-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night pain nursing my first baby. I am convinced that he never latched properly. He did finally outgrow it around 4 months and we successfully nursed until 17 months when he self-weaned. Our second baby was born 4 months later, so I was certain that we would have no issues. But, the same burning pain returned this time, too :( I used the nipple shield through the first two months and now, we are nursing happily without it. I made sure that he would nurse at least once a day without it and then we were able to wean to skin easily. As long as you consult a lactation consultant and monitor babe closely for dehydration, you may be successful nursing this time with the shield to assist with latch and protect your skin. Besides Lanolin cream, there are also breast shells you can wear in your bra between feeds to help protect your skin. Good luck!

Amanda - posted on 02/18/2010

I have breastfed both of my children, my youngest is 5 months old and I have enjoyed breastfeeding him! If you are having that much pain breastfeeding it is most likely becaues of the way that the baby is latching on. My youngest was tounge tied, and I noticed it right away because of his inablility to latch on properly. The best thing that you can do is speak with a laction councleor. They are going to be able to give you the direct support and information that you are looking for!
When it is done correctly it is the most wonderful thing that there is!

Kacie - posted on 02/18/2010

You may have a poor latch. Go to a local LLL meeting or call a lactation consultant near you for help. Pick up the book: Ina May's Guide to Breastfeeding. It will wxplain a lot. Breastfeeding should never be painful and if it is, there is a remedy! Please don't be affraid to seek out professional help.
~Kacie, nursing DD for 25 months

Marla - posted on 02/17/2010

This is my third daughter. I nursed my first daughter for about two months and then stopped because of the pain. I swore she was latching properly but my nipples were cracked and bleeding and I couldn't take the pain. I used Lansinoh but it didn't seem to help. I swore I'd nurse my second daughter longer but it was a few weeks shorter for the same reason. Ten years later I had my third daughter who is 9 weeks old now. I was determined to do better this time. I read up on breast feeding and spoke to people about it. The best advice I received was to express the milk on to the nipples after feeding and let them air dry. This has worked better than the Lansinoh which I still use before showers to protect the nipples from the soap drying them out. The other piece of advice was related to latching. If my daughter doesn't open wide and take more than the nipple I properly take her off and try again. I am happy to say at nine weeks she is still not only breast fed but exclusively breast fed unlike my other two.

Jennifer - posted on 02/17/2010

its not supposed to hurt. anything more than mild discomfort is not normal. anything that makes you catch your breath and tense up indicates there is a problem.

Advice: learn about breastfeeding before your bb is born. go to La Leche League meetings (llli.org or lllc.ca in canada), read the womanly art of breastfeeding, or Jack Newman's Guide to Breastfeeding, go to kellymom.com or drjacknewman.com for lots of breastfeeding info, including how to latch your baby on (80% of BFing problems are caused by improper latch and positioning, so it's really important to lean about this.) When your bb is born if you are having difficulty, contact a La Leche League Leader or hire an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

Kirsty - posted on 02/17/2010

I have to admit, after the experience I had feeding my daughter, I have made the decision when we have another child, I am going to express and then feed a bottle...I will still attempt to breastfeed as well, but I would rather be able to enjoy the time with my child than be dreading it

Alyssa - posted on 02/17/2010

Something that might help is trying different holds. The football hold was my only saving relief until my son was 6 weeks. Prior to that, it was excruciatingly painful. Lansinoh lanolin is WONDERFUL!!

Brittany - posted on 02/17/2010

my daughter is still breastfeed n shes 5 months old its going to hurt for awhile and u will get use to it id ask ur dotor for some cream to put on ur nips n it wnt harm the baby

Sarah - posted on 02/17/2010

I dont agree with all brest pain being a bad latch. I had exactly the same thing happen to me with brestfeeding both of my children and it wasnt down to a bad latch. The pain was excruciateing, felt like razor blades inside the brest itself. It would also happen with tempreture change when it was extremly cold. Found out it was a thing called vasive spasam which efects the nerve endings in the brest tissue. It took a good six weeks of perseverance and feeling physically ill to get through it. Fed my first to six months and my second to thirteen months. I am now pregnant with my third and I am sure the same thing is going to happen again, not sure if I want to go through the same again. I hope this helps you out, and good luck as it really is a wonderful thing if you can just push through that pain.

Joanna - posted on 02/17/2010

Sorry if I"m just being redundant because I'm sure I'm repeating what's already been said. Breast feeding is not supposed to hurt. I had a friend who did it for a while and was in tears everytime she nursed. I was so afraid. And yea, it hurt like freakin hell! But I knew it wasn't supposed to. If it hurts, your daughter didn't have a good latch. if the baby doesn't have a good latch then they may not be getting enough nutrition (doesn't seem like that's the case with you DD, though, good! :) ) You are saying "this one;" does that mean you haven't had #2 yet? If that's the case, at the hospital bug those nurses to assist you and request a lactation consultant to come to your room. I had them all helping me because my toes were curling it hurt so bad. I even went back once I left the hospital cuz we had problems.If you'ave already had "this one" call the hospital or pediatricians office and request help!! It probably took about 2 weeks to get it right. In the process my nipples got cracked and blah blah blah. again, nipples crack only if htere is a bad latch! Good latch = no cracked nipples = no pain!! Get help as long as you need it until you both have it down. You don't have to do it alone and you don't have to by a martyr! Good Luck! :)

Kristen - posted on 02/17/2010

They have nipple shields and the nipple cream...you just have to tough it out. It's for both your benefit. My 2nd child is almost 15 months and I still breastfeed. You can do it!

Stacie - posted on 02/17/2010

HI. I have 3 boys. I've breastfed all 3 of them. Congratulations on making the decision to breastfeed. It's the healthiest thing for your baby. Breastfeeding that first month is soooo difficult, even with the 2nd and the 3rd. I love how you compared it to putting your nipples in a food processor because that's what it literally feels like. I cried, I yelled, I screamed a few times, I did lamaze breathing, my nipples scabbed and bled a little. It shouldn't hurt as bad once the baby is latched on. It's just those few seconds when he first gets on the breast that it will be unbearable. I had one natural birth and 2 c sections. The pain medicine that I took with my c sections helped ease the pain of breastfeeding in those first weeks. Ask your doctor what you could safely take to help you. Also, a lactation consultant can give you lots of different positions to try so that the friction is not always on the same spot on your nipple. Sounds like you made it through the tough part - why did you give up? Just set your mind to the fact that you have to do this. What if there was no formula? You would find a way, right? If worse comes to worse, pump it out and feed him with a bottle. The pump pulls on the nipple but doesn't apply friction to the tip of it like the baby does. What matters is that he's getting your breastmilk. From one mom to the next, you can do this, REALLY. I breastfed my first for 10 months, my second for 14 months, and am still breastfeeding our 3rd son now, he's 5 months. If you can make it through the first tough few weeks, it is so so so so worth it. Breastfed babies feel so secure and cry less. They get as much food as they want when they want it and are so content. Good Luck. YOU CAN DO IT! I promise - no pain - after the first few weeks.

Jessica - posted on 02/17/2010

make sure the baby is latched on right. The babys' mouth needs to be open very wide to get the nipple in right. Did you take a breastfeeding class? I did and it really helped for when it was time for me to breastfeed. It does hurt at first, but it will get better. Just learn as much as you can about breastfeeding and proper latch on. It really does make a difference!

Jacqui - posted on 02/17/2010

Usually bad pain is incorrect attachment.. I suggest you see someone about it. But it can be painful also because you may have a damaged nipple. The cream helped me and if my nipple was particular damanged (I had a blister once) I just skipped a feed on that side and it generally felt a bit better by the next one. I must admit its not always comfortable in the beginning but you shouldn't feel pain if the attachment is correct. Try to see a baby nurse or go to a breast feeding group. they usually watch while you do a feed and help with the positioning etc. I found the underhand (football) grip the easiest when baby was young and used pillows to prop the baby to the correct height. Only when bubba was around 3 months did I start using the usual position. By then we had attachment right.

Katherin - posted on 02/17/2010

I respectfully disagree with a commenter below. I found that it just hurt. And it hurt terribly. I developed several complications. I consulted several lactation consultants and nursing friends who all said my latch was fine. It just hurt. However, I want you to know it got better. At about 2 months, it suddenly just eased up and was painless. For me, it was a test of will. In my mind, I had to breastfeed due to allergies in our family that I wanted to prevent. I hope you will try again, and find lots of support. You know you have lots of encouragement here!

J - posted on 02/17/2010

Make sure you ask and receive lots of help from a lactation nurse. You need to make sure baby is latching on correctly or you will have pain a lot longer than necessary. I had #3 a year ago, and I had to relearn how to do it all over again. For me, with each child, it took 6 weeks to "toughen up". And, the only pain I would really experience, in those 6 weeks, was let down and initial latch on in the beginning. For me, nursing is very important, so I was able to deal with the pain, knowing I was able to do the best thing for my babies. I hope it goes better for you the second time around!! : D

Rachelle - posted on 02/17/2010

HI....my story is nearly identical to Patricia's....minus the small jaw, but add on one breast infection after another. For me, it was worse than labor! I too cried almost every time I nursed. And when I most needed my husband to hold my hand and tell me it was ok and that he'd support my decision to keep going....he went out and bought several pacifiers, then the Marine Corp sent him out of town when my baby was just 2 weeks old and I had fever w/ chills. BUT that's what made me the strong powerhouse mom that I am today. What kept me going at that time was my midwife who said, "I promise, it WILL get better". It took 3 months, and I know that's a long time, but it did get better. There's something about that 3 month marker. Some things that helped me....and wish I'd known sooner....get the lasinoh cream and start it a few days BEFORE you think you might deliever (there are other brands too, just compare the ingredients). If you go into labor unexpectedly, start then. :) Also, about 15 minutes before nursing, I'd take motrin, and apply a very warm wet cloth. That softened up the nipple that had crusted over and allowed the milk to flow without tearing it again. Also, like others have said, if you can get some milk to flow before and after and let it soak on your nipple, that too helps. Don't forget to drink lots of water.....breathe deeply....and concentrate on what an amazing thing you are doing for you and your baby. It WILL get better!

Umm A'isha Zara - posted on 02/17/2010

I had a really hard time to begin with, really really sore nipples!! The important thing is that you keep going. It is really important that you make sure your baby is latched on properly, as this is one big reasons for pain. One of the mums recommended lanisoh breast cream, and I do too, I found it really good. Also, try www.kellymom.com for breastfeeding advice. Lastly, not all mums enjoy breastfeeding all of the time, but think of the wonderful benefits for you and your baby, and this will keep you going. It DOES get easier....just keep at it mummy!!!!

Melissa - posted on 02/17/2010

its all about the latch, it really is. but i hear ya! my little girl damn near chewed my nipples right off! there were times when i was litterally crying during feeds. but we perservered and now she is 7 monthsand still breastfeeding!!! im so proud, stick it out! its so worth it, no better feeling! def meet with a lactation consultant, helped so much to improve our latch. oh and Lise is def right, your breast milk will be ur healer, i used lanolin and found that is almost traped the moisture under the skin and made the scabbing on my nipples worse, so i started 'airdrying them then expressing a little milk and allowing it to dry on my nipples, worked like a charm, all clear in a matter of days. good luck! if u want this bad enough you can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tanja - posted on 02/17/2010

I had the same problem for first three months. After that there was no pain at all. Hang on!!!

Kirsty - posted on 02/17/2010

I had major problems when breastfeeding my daughter in the first few days. Everytime she went to latch on I would tense up as I knew the pain was coming, though it would eventually go, it would be there the other side and the next time she needed feeding.
After many consultations and being told that she was latching properly, I went to expressing my milk as we discovered that my breasts and consequently my nipples were to big for her little mouth. I exclusively expressed for 6 weeks and then reintroduced her to the breast and we have been successfully breastfeeding and she is 9 months old.
The pain was there when I expressed as well, but as there was no damage being done to my nipples, within 3 days, I had no pain.
I hope this helps in some way :)

Lise - posted on 02/16/2010

BREAST MILK! It worked SO MUCH better than anything else. After feeding, I'd hand express a little milk and cover my nipples with it and then let them air dry. Worked better than anything else.

Meet with an LC if you can to make sure the latch is good. A good latch is heaven-sent.

Cassie - posted on 02/16/2010

Lansinoh cream was my best friend for the first 4 weeks after my daughter was born. And ask for help from a lacation consultant. After my daughter was born, I had to use a nipple shield cause she couldn't latch on to me by herself. It took me til she was 4 weeks old before I got her to latch without the shield. And for me nursed hurt until my daughter was almost 7 weeks old. If you really want to breastfeed your baby, just ask for advice and help from a lacation consultant or anyone you know that nursed their baby. And don't give up....Its worth it in the end. My baby is now almost 7 months and nurses like a pro. Good luck!

Valerie - posted on 02/16/2010

I kept hearing the same stories... I was sore after the first 2-3 weeks and then I decided to give in and buy a nipple shield as opposed to giving up all together. I would say try it before you give up or not do it at all. It's worth the $5.99 to help build the bond with your child.

Amy - posted on 02/16/2010

I know where you are coming from. I had trouble getting my first child to latch on, and gave up after two weeks. My second child latched on a little too well;, my nipples actually cracked and bled. After two weeks of pain, I made an appointment with the lactation consultant at the hospital. She spent a couple hours with me and helped me with positioning. My baby had a really "tight suck," and I had to help her latch on properly. The lactation consultant also gave me some gel packs to put in my bra that really helped with the healing. Also, I ended up needing some antibiotic cream. so, there are things beyond lanolin, if you need it. I've been breastfeeding for over 9 months now. I think it was worth the time and money to pay the lactation consultant; that would be my advice if you have any trouble; I saved a lot of money in formula, and the second baby has been much healthier. It's nice to just have the support, too, of an expert.

Nicole - posted on 02/16/2010

I breastfed my first son for a year. It took us a while to get going, but not because of pain. He had trouble so I would get impatient and quit, but we made it through very well by the end. With my second son (now 3 mths) the first few days I was in so much pain, toe curling pain. The lactation consultant said it's not supposed to hurt like that so she helped me with him being latched on. While I was healing it was difficult, but once I healed I've been fine. Sometimes I don't even feel him on my nipples. I agree though, he has crunched pretty hard and if he's not in the right spot it hurts me. Something she gave me and now I find at CVS or Walmart are breast pads. They go in the fridge (not the freezer) and you put them on between feedings. These helped so much more than cream alone. They sting a little at first, but then the are so relieving. As with the others, hope you are successful.

Lorraine - posted on 02/16/2010

First of all at the beginning you should feel some soreness, but if you feel like it is hurting you so much it really means that you need to reposition. When a baby is latching on you have to make sure that they take in as much of the areola as possible. If you see them just taking in the nipple then you need to take it out of the baby's mouth. Just keep trying and reposition. Make sure baby has a wide mouth and place the breast in his mouth as soon as possible. If you have problems just contact your local La Leche League to see if they can help. Just remember if it's go incredibly painful you might be doing it wrong.

Ailsa - posted on 02/16/2010

Yes! Combination feeding. Everyone told me he would get nipple confusion but I reckoned my Son was smart enough to tell the difference between me and a bit of silicon. I was right. I still had to battle through but when it just hurt too much, I gave him a bottle. Sometimes it was EBM, sometimes formula but it was always a relief, If I hadnt, I wouldnt be breastfeeding today. I think I did it for about 6 weeks before I suddenly realised it wasnt sore any more and I had stopped dreading it. The bonus is that even now at 6 months, he can take a bottle if need be. It doesnt happen so often but its good to know he will take it. Im not sure why combi feeding isnt encouraged. It is always presented as breast OR bottle when it should be breast AND bottle. Try it and see but you still have to have the determination to see it through the pain. Just remember the benefits - my laziness at the thought of getting up to feed in the night instead of just pickin him up and staying in bed kept me going! It is so worth it! Good luck!!

Amanda - posted on 02/16/2010

hey breast feedin really shouldnt hurt if bubs is on well i have breast fed 2 out of my 3 kids i am still breastfedin the 3rd . there are lactation nurses who can help attch bubs its important to relax as much as you can while breatfedin so the let done happens well and in time your body and bubs kinda work as one, dont be affraid it will happen again all babies a different , a good nurse would be my main thing to try and some good cream to help for cracked nipples lanolin is great can use it for nipples bubs bottom ect good luck hope it all works out well

Amanda - posted on 02/16/2010

I have been told that breastfeeding should be 100% painfree and pleasurable. However, I do think that it takes some time for your breasts to adjust and my baby will make many attempts to crunch on the nipple as he mouths around or starts to get sleepy. The best advice I got was about shaping my breast and my nipple to make it easier for the baby to latch. I call it the 'nipple burger'. Imagine bringing a hamburger to your mouth and how it is shaped. You have to hold it horizontally to bit into it. I shape my nipple/aureole horizontally to my baby's mouth for him to get latched. I find that my hand also cups my breast halfway round. I hope that makes sense as it has been the best thing for me. Also, as soon as there is pain, I abort and try again. You will see full chin and jaw movement if your bub is latched correctly. All the best, mummy

Belinda - posted on 02/15/2010

I don't agree that it doesnt hurt in the beginning because it sure did for me and I was assured I had the latch correct with both my bub's. That being said, if you can tough it out for 8-10 weeks it really gets to be pain free and a toatlly awesome and worthwhile experience.

I am still breastfeeding my 2 year old and also my 6 month old. Would you believe that I b/f my daughter throughout my whole pregnancy. By the end of the pregnancy she was only feeding morning, night and the occasional other time. When my son was born and I started to feed him on demand, so that was at least every two hours or less, I still had pain - extra sore nipples, blood blisters, sore boobs etc. I had to work through the 'pain' again. Go figure - I hadn't even stopped feeding and it still hurt! But as I said it is so worth it. Hang in there...you can do it!!

Dorothy - posted on 02/15/2010

breastfeeding does NOT have to hurt so much. i have been nursing my twins, they are 14 weeks, exclusively... sometimes at the same time! :) i have NEVER had pain or discomfort like that. first thing i would recommend is connect with a lactation consultant at the hospital or through your doctor if you want to start now. you need to make sure that baby is latched on properly, if not, it will be uncomfortable. also, i would HIGHLY recommend that you get a nipple shield to start with. it's helps baby learn to latch on and gives you some protection... i found it very helpful. my girls were very little and had trouble at first, and they shield helped guide them and make it an easier process for us both. as baby gets comfortable, and you too, you can stop using it... definitely worth a try. breastfeeding is so good for your baby! do everything you can to make it a great experience. i love love love nursing my girls. it is a wonderful bonding experience. i have had a great nursing experience. feel free to add me to your circle and stay in touch... would love to help in any way i can! good luck!

Sarah - posted on 02/15/2010

Besides agreeing with the other ladies that lanolin and professionals help (a le leche league consultant actually met with me in the hospital and showed me different positions and the correct way to do them. And if you are going to use a cream you should start BEFORE the baby is born, to help toughen the nipples), warm showers always helped me in my first month of breastfeeding. Sometimes I would take two (or even three) a day because my chest hurt so much. But after the one month mark, it completely stopped hurting. I love breastfeeding my baby boy now. And check to see if the LLL meets in your area - they sometimes hold once a month meetings. That can be a source of great support. Good luck!

Kate - posted on 02/15/2010

Yes like the rest of these ladies said have a professional check your latch. A lot of times that is the cause for painful nipples. A good lanolin cream does wonders as well, especially at first. I bought some before my son was born but my hospital had some to give me for free. If all else fails ibuproferen is safe to take whilst breastfeeding. Good luck!

Violeta - posted on 02/15/2010

Hi, I find breastfeeding a wondrful feeling, a nice connection between me and my babies. I had read a lot about the correct position of the baby and the way he should take the nipple in his mouth before I went for birthgiving. I sent you few ideas as a message. Hope they are of use.

http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_...

Emily - posted on 02/15/2010

First, you want to check with a professional to make sure your latch is okay. Sometimes pain can be fixed with simple latch adjustments.
Also, load up on lansinoh cream and use it with every feed. It will help. If you are determined to get through it, you will.

Claire - posted on 02/15/2010

Hi,

I have been breastfeeding my little boy for a year now and found it very comfortable or I so would'nt have done it for so long,if your baby is latched on properly you should'nt feel any discomfort,you should chat to your health visitor for some advice,I read alot about breastfeeding and it helped,goodluck.

Patricia - posted on 02/15/2010

I had trouble with my first, pain for 3 months. The first couple weeks it was very painful b/c of the scabbing and peeling X^O then I got yeast infection which didn't just hurt in my nipples but it felt like cords pulling and pain shooting all the way through my breast. When that was treated and cured my daughter still continued to cause pain b/c of the way she was latching. She had a small jaw and just wouldn't bring nipple into her mouth far enough so she was pinching and deforming my nipple like a new lipstick looks, pointed and curved. We went through two lactation consultants, craniosacral therapy, speech consultation. Nothing made a difference just time. The pain slowly got better and better until she finally grew out of it, litterally and by 3 months she stopping pinching my nipple and nurse happily until she was 14 months. My second baby was a breeze. No trouble except for the mild soreness the first couple days as he got the hang of it he nursed until 12 months. My 3rd did a similar thing to my first but not as bad. He grew out of it a lot quicker. He also had that small jaw issue. But I didn't get a yeast infection. He is 8 months and is doing great. There's HOPE. It helped to know that it was only temporary! good luck!

Rebecca - posted on 02/15/2010

Its uncomfortable to start with - try using a good nipple cream - Lansioh is really good. you might be able to get a sample from your midwife. Just try to relax, I know that is hard but it helps. and If you are really full try to express off a little milk to soften your breast first - it makes attaching baby correctly eaiser. good luck!