Breastfeeding?!

Tina - posted on 05/02/2010

I agree!!! You have to condition your breasts before breast feeding is very helpful. Take a washcloth while you are in the shower and rub the nipples to get them prepared for when the baby comes. I always used Vitamin E oil on sore nipples from breast feeding and it works wonders!!! Just wipe off before you nurse your little one. I nursed all four of my babies, although # 3 was lazy and I gave in after 3-4 months of fighting with him and gave him a bottle because of hurting my back. Was easier on mom. Tina Cotter

Dara - posted on 05/02/2010

Your baby was biting you. Yes, even without teeth, it is definitely and completely possible!! The plates in their mouths are hard enough to cause you a problem. If you want to breastfeed, which is definitely better to start off with, consider pumping! It will increase your supply, provide your child with the nutrients needed, and allow you the closeness of providing for your child. I was in the exact same situation by the way...and found that even though I WANTED to nurse, I had a hard time with being anxious that I was going to be hurt, which has an adverse reaction with the ability to let down. I used a pump, and voila! Kind of the best of both worlds...and once my supply was established, I didn't worry as much about being bitten. Good luck to you!

Michelle - posted on 05/02/2010

Breastfeeding was very difficult for me and I considered it a full-time job. It took my husband's help to get it right for our first child. The first thing I recommend is discussing with your partner whether or not he supports breastfeeding and how he feels about it. If he isn't supportive, then my observations with other women are that you won't stick with it very long. This is a very important discussion to have! On the physical side about how to keep your nipples healthy- make sure they air-dry between nursing and rub some breast milk on them after nursing- breast milk is very healing. Sometimes that might mean walking around the house with your bra-flaps down. You might have a little cracking again, but if you will get through the first 21 days, things will get better. It helped me to know that there was an end to the soreness, so I stuck it out. Hope this helps!

Rebecca - posted on 05/02/2010

Hy,
Breastfeeding all over the world, here's an answer from a Belgian mother. From the first time I latched my son on, I had on my left boobie blisters and on my right a gap. The first day I used a cream and I kept using the cream for almost 3 weeks, then it wasn't necessairy anymore. The first weeks it hurts, the second week wasn't pleasant, the third week it was ok, and from then on it was a joy. Try it, but if you don't feel good about it, and you get down because you think you can't feed your child properly switch to formula. A happy mother with a positiv energy is for a baby more important than an breastfeeding mom who feels down! (sorry fot my english, it has been a while)

Becky - posted on 05/01/2010

My son was born in Oct of 2009. At first I did crack and bleed. Once I fixed his positioning the cracking healed. Every time I breastfeed I hurt for about 1 - 1/12 weeks then it suddenly gets better. One day I am dreading every feeding and forcing myself to do it, the next I am breezing along and suddenly notice that I do not hurt any more. Now, six 1/2 months later, we love nursing and I am VERY glad I did not give up. He is glad, too. Also, remember that breastfed babies often gain less weight than formula fed babies because the obesity rate is much lower when a child is breastfed. Breast milk is easier to digest and doesn't hang around building extra fat cells. Remember, breastfeeding is worth any inconvenience or temporary pain. It protects children from illnesses, harmful effects of vaccines (don't believe the drug co pamphlets that say the risks are minimal), obesity, diabetes, etc. God created us with the ability to feed them the perfect food - it changes in composition for their every need in every stage of infancy.

Bec - posted on 05/01/2010

Breastfeeding is the best! It's such a wonderful experience and so much easier than carting formula around! I had a horrible cracked nipple when I started. It lasted about 7 weeks and was awful! It's soooo painful so I understand how you feel! I say give it a go, use some Lansinoh cream (even before birth to prep your nipples if you like) and go to a good lactation consultant as soon as bub is born. I wouldn't give up breastfeeding for the world now, it's great! Good luck!! :-)

Liz - posted on 05/01/2010

I had the same problem but reversed. My first born breastfed perfectly. My second had to be taught but no big problems. My third made me bleed! I have to tell you it hurt (she was just sucking too hard it made my nipples crack). but I just stuck with it and she's 4 mths old and I dont have any problems! She's doing just great with it so if you just bare through it, it will pass but if it hurts too bad for you I would just go with formula.

Jennifer - posted on 05/01/2010

Once you get the hang of it you will love the wonderful connection between you and your little one. You will always discover how amazing it really is that your fully, capable of completely and perfectly nourishing your baby. It is almost magical really.

Joanne - posted on 05/01/2010

Katie
I am a mother of three children aged 2, 4 and 6years. I struggled with breastfeeding my first son. I was stressed out about exposing my new over sized belly and possibly exposing my breasts. I was surrounded by people and completely nervous about looking like I didn't know how to care for my own baby and therefore felt rushed and nervous with each feeding. The entire experience of nursing him was disappointing and frustrating. I wish I had gone right to formula and just enjoyed having a newborn instead of worrying so much about breastfeeding. Having said that my second son seemed to latch on very well, ate less which I think due to my stress I hindered my milk production. I was able to nurse for five or six months until he seemed disinterested in nursing with me. My daughter refused to give up nursing and I never used a single bottle for her.. :)))
My point is, each baby is different and our confidence with each baby goes up. Enjoy your baby. If nursing works well for your new baby, awesome. If not, enjoy using a bottle and the conveniences that go along with it.
Congratulations of being a new mom again and I hope breastfeeding or not works out in the way you hoped it would!!

Kristina - posted on 05/01/2010

My first pregnancy did NOT end with breastfeeding for similar reasons. Turned out that it's just a normal thing that CAN happen, but doesn't HAVE to happen. The 2nd time around, I made sure that I was drinking lots of water to keep myself hydrated, help myself heal faster, AND increase my supply. I used the Lansinoh brand of lanolin ointment after EVERY time the baby nursed, and it helped to keep them from getting chapped, cracked, and bleeding. The pain of the baby latching on only lasted about 1 week for me, and the 3rd time around it was even better! I'd highly recommend giving it a try this time around, and just do it for as long as you possibly can. Every time they can nurse is more of all the benefits, BUT, don't let anyone make you feel that it's the only way to do things...plenty of babies in this world were formula fed and are doing perfectly fine.

Best wishes!

Mylinda - posted on 05/01/2010

Breastfeed if you can. I used the special lotion as soon as I noticed some irritation (even though the lacation nurse said it was not necessary. For my second baby, I used it after every feed for two weeks so my nipples could "toughen up." Babies do love to nurse so they will nurse as often as the need, just monitor your babies weight to see the results of enough milk production.

Christine - posted on 05/01/2010

I have had two boys and I breastfed both of them. They each had their challenges. I can tell you that at the beginning you are not producing milk, you are producing colostrum, which is rich in antibodies, and nutrients, but it is not filling so they nurse more often. Your milk will usually come in on the third day. Then you baby will go a bit longer between feedings. One thing that you can do to help your nipples not be so sore is to "toughen" them up. My ob/gyn told me when I hit my third trimester with my second boy to firmly roll your nipples between your thumb and forefinger, it is a little painful at first but I can tell you it works i didn't have near as much pain the second time. Making sure that you keep you nipples dry, and even using cream especially designed to soothe raw / sore nipples that is nontoxic for the baby. Also if the baby is what the nurses call a "lazy sucker" I found that stopping and trying again in 5-10 minutes helps. The most important thing is to stay calm, and know that all mothers have been there, just remember to take good care of your nipples and that will be a huge difference! I hope that this helps!

Evelyn - posted on 05/01/2010

I say definitely try again and I'm sorry to say that it might be tough for the first couple of days, even maybe weeks. I went thru about a week with my second where it hurt sooooo bad, I was scared of nursing time but I stuck to it. Went to lactation meetings offered by the hospital I delivered in and it helped, it was improper latching mostly and I was also sooo sore by then that even at the proper latch I was feeling pain but we stuck it out and he went on to nurse until he was about 1. He's almost two now, super healthy and happy boy. With my 1st we never got over our latching problem, my nipples were too small and she got offered the bottle too son, was in NICU for 3 days after being born, but i still managed to breastfeed her until she was about 6 months using the nipple shields.

April - posted on 05/01/2010

i also want to add that i still use my lactation consultant even at 16 months! whenever i have a bf issue...i call her right up or even go see her!!!

Brenda - posted on 05/01/2010

Bleeding, cracked nipples a few days after you start bf is normal. Even if you are doing it correctly.
I had excessive bleeding when I bf my daughter and even though Im sure it would have stopped I did stop bf as I found I spend the 3 hours in between feeds in panic about the next fee. Our son (first born) had died after he was born and I think I was just not coping with bf because I wanted my time with my daughter to be wonderful and I was hating bf so I stopped.
But if you get get through the pain it will go away. My sister bf all her bubs for 12 months and although she bled a little after a week or so she came good.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Hugs
xxx

Maria - posted on 05/01/2010

Some babies are much better feeders than others.
My first child was a nightmare - but the second one came out with her mouth open and away she went.
Good luck

Racheal - posted on 05/01/2010

also warm olive oil on the nipples helps a lot!!!

Racheal - posted on 05/01/2010

Hi Katie,
The pain will go away once your baby learns to feed correctly. He was probably not latched on properly. Nose to nipple. In the beginning you will be feeding your baby constantly. It may help if you start pumping right away and give him an extra ounce in a bottle a couple of times a day. I know it sounds like a lit of work especially when you're in pain but by month 3 you will both be experts and your breasts won't hurt all of the time. My baby is 3 months old now and we are just getting a rhythm down. Good luck!!

Tanya - posted on 05/01/2010

Hi Katie,
I also had bleeeding nipples at 5 days feeding my first born, he latched on but was a very strong sucker, and since i reported to the midwives that he was hurting me they were convinced he wasn't latching on,they had me latching him on every half hour , i think they did not think I could or wanted to B feed, I just gave birth to a little girl 9 weeks ago, I asked my doctor to let me leave hospital when my milk came in, and as soon as it did I took my baby off the boob and expressed and bottle fed her, I waited until about the 10th day after my milk had come in and my breasts had settled down and softened, and tried my baby latching on again, worked perfectly and have not even had any tenderness or soreness, we are at 9 weeks now, although she is bottle fed also, with formula, she is just so hungry and I find it veryy unrealistic with a little 3 year old to feed for 10 hours a day, they say babies get confused between a nipple and a bottle, but my charli girl knows how to get food out of anything and she is doing great, beleive in yourself and go to hospital to have you baby with a feeding plan, make it known to any pushy midwives as some can be very forceful, that you have a plan and you are sticking to it, Ive spoken to several mums who've had similar problems and claim the major nipple damage is done within the first few days when your milk has come in and breasts are engorged with milk, give it a go, we are doing just fine, and I'm sure if you make yourself a plan, you will also. goodluck. Tanya. xox

Sumer - posted on 05/01/2010

go for it, mama! your own breastmilk is the best for soothing your nipples, and wool nursing pads (that you've treated with lanolin for waterproofing) are great, too, because of the lanolin IN the pad to keep your nipples treated as well. With my first I got so sore I would get an icecube before he latched on just to numb it, and eventually my body adjusted and loved nursing. We're on baby #4 now, and I've nursed each one with some adjustments at the beginning. ;)

Lorna - posted on 05/01/2010

Same thing happened to me. I breast fed my first baby until he was a year old and everything went fine. second child made me bleed. No matter what they say the latch is not right if your nipples crack and bleed. You can feel a little raw in the begginning but thats as far as it should go. the whole nipple should be in the baby's mouth. Accomodate as often as you need. iTS important that when u break the latch u open the baby's mouth instead of pulling ur breast out or it will crack sooner. If u do bleed u can pump for a few days until u heal and try again. Buy a book about it! You wont regret breastfeeding. Its so much easier afterwards!

Cindy - posted on 05/01/2010

I feed all 6 of my children and would prepare my nipples a few months before the birth.I used several different doctors advice, such as massage, sligtly stretch,when colostram started to come in hand express and rub into the nipple and finally try expressing,(a hand pump worked better for me, so that you could judge the pressure of the suction).To much suction will hurt for days.Hope this will help it helped me.

Carol - posted on 05/01/2010

I had bleeding nipples only with my first, but I stuck it out. I was determined to continue, and before long they healed and we were fine. It never happened at all with my 3 other babies. One difference was that with my first I couldn't nurse right after birth. With the others, my milk came in sooner, I never got engorged, and there were no nipple issues. I recommend putting the baby to the breast within a half hour of birth, nursing often, and using the lanolin. Maybe you should also be sure you are getting plenty of omega 3 fatty acids in your diet, as that helps with dry skin. It's also good for the baby's brain development.

Christine - posted on 05/01/2010

give breastfeeding another go, i've just stopped breastfeeding after 19 months and it's the best feeling in the world to have been able to feed my son this long! i understand it's tough at the start but with good support around you you will get through it, i was the same with cracked sore nipples and doing the feeding myself i was shattered my poor boyfriend felt helpless but he helped loads around the house which was fab!! so give it a try and don't be afraid to ask any questions! keep up the good work xx christine.

Suzanne - posted on 04/30/2010

Hi. I breastfed my first child for 3 years and am still breastfeeding my toddler that is 16 months. Even if the baby is latching correctly, the first few days your nipples can be really sore, even bleed a little. This is because they are not used to the strong suction from the baby. But I just used some lansinoh on my nipples and grit my teeth and by day 5 or 6 was already feeling better. It is painful at first, but once your nipples have toughened up, it is just too easy and rewarding. Hope this helps.

Carrie - posted on 04/30/2010

BREAST SHIELDS!! They were a lifesaver for me with my first (I used them for about 4 months, gradually quit using them and breastfed for 15 months without pain!). I had almost dried up after I took a 2 week break from nursing and strictly pumped to allow myself to heal, but once I started nursing with the shield (and taking Fenugreek- an herbal supplement), I was able to build up my milk supply again. It can really be a lot of work if you are in pain while nursing, and for me, the pain was worse than and lasted for a lot longer than everyone said it should, but I promise, if you stick with it, it WILL stop hurting! (By the way, with my 2nd, I used the shield for about 2 weeks starting when I began bleeding when she was 2 days old, and while it was still pretty uncomfortable when I stopped using it, I had avoided the extreme pain that came with all the damage my 1st had done in his first couple of weeks.)
You do need to feed babies often, which is exhausting, but keep with it so you can build your supply! If you supplement with formula, your body won't realize that the baby really needs you to make more milk. Try not to let the baby nurse for more than 15 minutes on each side in the beginning (which is hard when they keep falling asleep and wake up and scream when you try to take them off!), give yourself a break, and try to begin the next feeding no sooner than one hour after the start of the last one. This allows your boobs some 'dry time' and helps your body to regulate your supply. I really hope this helps! Good luck to you and your little one! :)

Yamala - posted on 04/30/2010

sounds like your nipples cracked because they dryed out. try lanolin ccream, that worked for me,

Katie - posted on 04/30/2010

Thank you ladies. i wouldnt know if i would of made this choice easy if it wasnt for all of you. i currently bought a maternity nursing gown for the hospital stay bc i was so worried that i would of had to kick everyone out again like i had to with my first son. and i was so emberrassed when the nurses would walk in and i had everything just plopped out there. lol. this will make me feel alot better.

April - posted on 04/30/2010

katie-- you have taken the first step by wanting to try again! i know a few moms that won't even attempt. i am so glad that won't be the case with you! every pregnancy is different and every nursing pair is different. you may or may not experience pain, but you'll push through it. it's only temporary. i too bled. I pushed through the pain and one day my nipples healed.

breastfeeding isn't as easy as it seems but we do it for our children. it's the best thing for them! don't be afraid!! there may be other hurdles ahead but you're a supermom and you will jump over them!! good luck katie!!

Angela - posted on 04/30/2010

I was in pain for the first 3 months of breastfeeding, after that it got easier and easier. The thing in the beggining that made it less painful was lanolin, you can get it in baby stores and baby sections at Walmart and Babies R Us. Its safe for the baby and it softens your nipples so they wont crack and bleed. Good luck, it is very rewarding.

Netta - posted on 04/30/2010

Try using an oil like Lanolin (which can be found at walmart or any baby store). I had the same problem, but didn't have the option of using formula. A friend showed me that using lanolin will allow the skin to stretch without drying out/cracking and bleeding. apply after EVERY feeding and shower for the best results. Good luck!!!

Deirdre - posted on 04/30/2010

hi i breast fed my first girl for between 5 to 6 weeks .. had the cracked nippeles , bleeding the works.. very tiring as well.. was hoping to breast feed longer but didn't work out that well .. felt bad but what to do... now my second girl is 7 weeks and i was dreadin breast feedin but wanted to give it a good shot ...but it is goin great got a wee bit sore at the start while still in hospital n used cream for it but had to stop as baby was gettin dry skin around da mouth... went home .. first nite got 3 hrs sleep .. thought here we go.. had to give baby the dummy which i was tryin not too .. went got bottles and then that nite i breast fed and give the made the baby 2 oz of formala and give her that after her breast feed , she would only take 1/2 oz or 1 at the most but made the breast feedin so much easier .. she'd get to sleep n so would i ... so anyway .. i am still breast feedin and it's 7 weeks now and lots of times i didn't need to top up with the bottle as well.. they say the breast milk is best at nite so i wouldn't take it away completey and if u hav any worries about latching on get a nurse help u in the hospital .. start of rite so you'll not get hurt because when ur sore it can put u off i k now .. my arm you'se to shake with the pain when i was puttin my first girl on n it was much to pain full to try put her on again.. had to get covers for over my nipples ...but fling this time so don't think you can't do it because YES YOU CAN!!! don't be afraid to ask them for help in hospital and best of luck
:-)

Lore - posted on 04/30/2010

there are ways you could also breast feed you how about using breast pump and when you take hot creals like custard it also help in Africa we use pap if you know what that means and it does help

Angela - posted on 04/30/2010

i agree totally cause while i'm all for giving breas feeding another try my sister bottle fed her kids formula and they are now mid teens and early 20's and perfectly fine

Christina - posted on 04/30/2010

With my first son, I had the same problem. It was absolutely awful and I did it for about a month and a half. I had 2 nurses tell me it was normal and fine and that he was latching on perfectly. I mean, I would cry and start to shake when it was feeding time. When I used the breast pump, the milk would be pink, and when I called help lines or the hospital to find out the best formula to use (as it being my first and having absolutely no clue which brand to use) they refused to give me the name of a brand and told me just to keep trying, it will get better. Ha! (We're talking 10 years ago) Eventually the 3rd nurse came and asked me how I was still doing this! She finally gave me the name of a formula to at least get him started on to give my breasts a break before I lost my nipples completely!!! Needless to say, I stopped it right there. Feeling guilty but relieved that I was in no more pain and my son could stop spitting up pink milk! I had given it a fair try with creams, nipple covers, vitamin E, air drying, etc. Now, when it came to my second, that lasted a month. He just never wanted to come off. It was like he was just attached to my boobs all the time. It wasn't as painful, and not too much blood this time, just the initial start up. Now I had a formula though and was better prepared. 5 years later, I became pregnant again. With this baby, I was able to go for 3 and a half months!! It was a pleasure, it was easy. I knew my job was just to sit there and feed my son. No pressure, no pain, no nothing. I could have went longer but I decided that he already had an advantage over the other two and well it was good enough. The moral of the story.......every child is different, do not feel guilty, do what you can and what you feel comfortable with. Your child will not "suffer" because you can't breastfeed him/her. There are pros and cons to all things in life and you just have to choose what is right for you and stick to that with your chin held high.

Angela - posted on 04/30/2010

i only have 1 child and he wouldn't latch on propperly so i had the problem of bleeding breasts but i have to be honest i will try again with any others what you need to remember no 2 pregnancies or babies are the same

Ricquel - posted on 04/30/2010

I bleed with both my babies until my nipples toughened up. Use plenty of lanolin cream and give it a good 2-3 weeks to get use to it. The pain will go away with time. I would count to 10 when the baby first latched on to get through the pain then it would go away. Most womens milk takes 5-7 days to come in. You should breast feed on demand( every 2-3 hours or sooner). This helps get your supply in and helps your body know how much to make for your baby. It takes time and dedication to breast feed but it is worth it in the end. Believe me, if your stick with it, it will be easy and second nature to breastfeed.

Catherine - posted on 04/30/2010

Definitely try breastfeeding again, it is absolutely worth it and the soreness doesn't last more than a few days. Not sure if anyone mentioned it - there were too many posts to read them all!! but try rotating positions even on that first and second day - football hold works really well with newborns (with a pillow stuffed under their feet!) and lay on your side to feed them or just try to prop them up more with a pillow to change the angle of where they are clenching you!! Definitely use the lanolin cream - ask for some, they will have it - and definitely take breast pads because especially the lansinoh brand will stain your bra! Make sure you air dry your nipples a little bit first though! You could ask for an ice pack to numb you a little before you feed and it will help you when you start getting engorged too! Good luck

Amanda - posted on 04/30/2010

I'm glad your are going to try breast feeding. The truth that no one tells you the frist time is that yes it hurts! Even if the baby is latching on right. It takes about two weeks to get through it and be comfortable. I had a hard time but I made it and happy I did. I nursed my daughther for 19 months . there are many creams to use I suggest using one now to help get them ready, also there are pads you can wear if you get really sore during nursing. But you have to wash off before you nurse. Hope this helps good luck:)

Rhea - posted on 04/30/2010

hi
i bleed with my son also
and recently i came across an article which was talking about how to help with breast feeding (had to do with adopted mothers breast feeding the baby but i think it would work better for maternal mothers) they said that you could start pumping like 6 weeks before baby comes and it gets your breast ready for the baby, and what ever you pump off can be freezed for later...
in the begining start pumping every 2 hours to help get your breast into the idea that this will soon be happening and it incourages your breast to produce milk...
you could ask your doctor if it'll be ok to take feungreek/ mothers milk tea ...

Sandra - posted on 04/30/2010

Hey Hun try it again and see how you go yeah it is best for baby if you can but dont feel to bad if you cant either its the collosturm that is the best stuff for babies. You can get nipple cups, they just go over the top of your nipple they are a bit like teats for babies bottles, you can buy them from big w, target and baby shops. If your nipples get to sore try i think its paw paw cream. See how you go all you can do is try, Goodluck

Monika - posted on 04/30/2010

I think it is a really personal choice as to what you do. I know with my first I was all for breast feeding right up till 6 mths of age.... until I just couldnt give her anymore. She was guzzling 24 hrs a day and I was a regular milk truck!! When my boy came along I thought the same would happen. NO SUCH LUCK. At six weeks I rang Nagala and said I was going to put my baby throught the window!! I was at my witts end with a crying baby.... He fed constantly and was always crying! I took him for a check up with the DR and she discovered that I had no milk... Bit of a shock for me cause I had so much milk with my first. So I hit the formula bottle and he slept through for the first time in six weeks... Even if I didnt have a problem with the lack of milk, I htink it is a really personal choice. You have to be able to cope with your life and the fact that you have just had another baby and if that means you bottle feed, than so be it! You have to do whats right for you. Good luck with what ever you do.

Bronagh - posted on 04/30/2010

this happens to most mums u have to really persevere its hard at the start but once u get through that it gets really easy x

Rene - posted on 04/29/2010

I've been following along here and I noticed several moms recommend breast shields. Breast shields with air holes are great for between feedings if you can't stand to have anything touch your nipples, but you shouldn't nurse with them on. It can cause more problems with your child latching on. When your nipples heal you'll still be in the same place as you were when you started using them. My son, #1, made me bleed too. I was totally freaked out when he spit up blood. I finally figured out with friends help that he wasn't latching on properly and he was chewing on my nipples as he nursed. When your baby opens WIDE, pull them onto your breast and get them to take in as much of your nipple as possible. If it hurt, I broke his suck and we tried again. I think breastfeeding the first time should be uncomfortable for the first couple weeks because your nipples have to toughen up. There is nothing you can do to prepare your nipples for this. Mine were really small in the beginning, which I think affected how hard/easy it was for him to latch on. I also stopped letting him fall asleep on my breast because he would start to chew, but it looked like he was still nursing. It took a couple days for him to learn to really open up and take in my breast. Once we started doing this the little blood blisters and stuff healed really fast. I found if I expressed a little milk and left it on my nipples that healed them faster than lanolin cream. Breast milk has amazing healing properties! Please seek out help, don't give up. Once we finally got the hang of it, breastfeeding was amazing. I even continued when I went back to work full time.

Chani - posted on 04/29/2010

I had the same thing, even though my little boy was attaching correctly - try lanolin cream (from chemists) on your nipples between feeds and if necessary use a nipple shield (a thin latex cover - also available from chemist) for feeding until the cracks clear up....after I did that I was able to continue breast feeding.

Jo - posted on 04/29/2010

i have fed all three of my boys with great difficuty. (bleeding nipples, mastitis you name it.) if you the baby is attaching corectly then there is not much else you can do except keep trying. after a little while your nipples become less sensitive and everything becomes much easier. In saying this my 3 month old still does not attach corectly and while this did damage my nipples to start with he is putting on heaps of weight and feeding happily enough
(i think he is just a lazy baby who can be bothered to open his mouth prpoerly) i found the shields were helpful for the first few days whils there is so much milk and their mouths are so tiny but only use it for the first half of the feed then get it off otherwise bub will not get used to attaching with out it and it can become more of a hinderence then a help.Good Luck

Niki - posted on 04/29/2010

i am on baby number 2 and both times it has happend. i pump breast milk and do formula but maybe 1-2 bottles a day.. and it is hard but not a painful, i think u should try and it happend again pump some as long as you can, i am going back to work but i am trying to hold out till he is 3 months,

Jeannine - posted on 04/29/2010

The same thing happened with my first. When I was pregnant with my second I wanted to give it a try again. Same thing happened, but with the great support of my husband and lactation nurse I made it through the pain and once I started healing it just kept getting easier and easier. Now my little one is almost 11 months and I'm still breastfeeding her. It has been a great experience and worth every ounce of pain I went through during the initial weeks. Good luck!!!

Meghan - posted on 04/29/2010

i tried breastfeeding with my first child and lasted 2 weeks. i didnt produce enough and she wouldnt latch on right. i ended up bleeding and it just hurt so bad. i just had my second child and decided to give it another go but try to go longer. this time is seeming very easy. it doesn't hurt at all. and this time i am producing more then my son can keep up with, i have to pump the extra out.

Dodie - posted on 04/29/2010

yes one thing to remember is never wash the areola area with soap just rinse with water when u bathe or shower... even while pregnant.. and the second go round is a lil easier but just push through the pain and yes make sure u go to the hospital with the cream... and be patient with it and it should work out