painful let down?

Amanda - posted on 05/03/2012

Could the pain be from being engorged (overfull) when you start? Have you tried to put a warm wet washcloth or oatmeal sac or whatever is your preference. I can remember that when i nursed. Support that breast as well as you can when youu start nursing.. Be sure to change sides, alternating which breast you start with.
When you are over-full the letdown of milk can be 'uncomfortable'. If you are nursing frequently (as you should be at one month), or are expressing frequently for the freezer, It's easy to slip into an 'overproduction' situation, so, i don't know if it's 'normal' but is certainly common.
hope this helps...amanda

Janice - posted on 01/15/2012

I don't feed on a schedule but my body knows the general timing of how often my son eats and if he is sleeping or I am away from him when my body thinks he should eat, then I get the stabbing pains as I let down. Lasts only about 60-90 seconds. However, if my son is being a piggy and wants to eat every hour for a few hours I do not get the pain.

Kaitlin - posted on 01/15/2012

With my first son, it was SO painful. Stop me in my tracks, kind of hunch my shoulders painful, about 20 minutes before we would feed on a schedule. With my second, he didn't eat as intensely and it wasn't as bad. I couldn't do anything for it, just kind of lived through it. When my breasts were sore due to cracked nipples or mastitis, which i got really bad, I used some methods of pain relief, but for this there' wasn't anything.

Pamela - posted on 01/15/2012

Is it true pain or just PRESSURE that you are feeling? There is a big difference. If it is just the pressure of the milk building up, then don't worry. If you are actually experiencing pain, check with your obgyn doctor.

Roshellan - posted on 01/14/2012

Also drink plenty of fluids.

Roshellan - posted on 01/14/2012

i found this article and was greatful. i just had my fourth child a month in a half ago an let down got so painful id want to cry. i didnt know what to do. talking to a consultant helped a little she said try exspressing a little right before you get ready to feed. should help take some discomfort away. since then it no longer feels like pins an needles. but i still can tell its the let down. good luck with your little one.

Mia - posted on 01/14/2012

the let-down gets stronger with each bub too i found. mine is quite strong but not uncomfy, i know this sounds weird but it's almost like that pleasure/pain threshold, it is uncomfy but feels good all at the same time.



if it's only brief, just for the let-down then i really wouldn't be worried but if it's a pain that continues while you are feeding & you get other things happening like funky nipple shape etc. might be good idea to re-visit how bubby is feeding & attaching when you see a lactation nurse next.

Julie - posted on 01/14/2012

I do wonder of it's a second baby thing too... Never had that kind of problem with my first, but my second - who's 4 months now - i experienced ( and sometimes still do) exactly the same thing! Sharp pains on the breast she wasn't nursing for the first few minutes... It still happens now and then!

Veronika - posted on 01/14/2012

you might have a touch of mastitis. is the baby emptying the breast fully? and make sure your bra is not too small. if your breast is feeling squishy with the breastpad and full of milk, get the next bra size up. try to keep feeding through the discomfort. i had the exact same thing at the same time and i found a bigger bra solved everything. my daughter is now eleven weeks and i feel no discomfort at all. good luck with your newborn, and mostly take care of yourself.

Markita - posted on 01/14/2012

The only time my let down is painful is if I have a plugged duct. Feel on the side that's hurting you and see if you have any harder lumps. It could be a plugged duct. If that's the case make sure you have your LO nurse real well on that side, maybe double up on it. Talk to your lactation consultant too about other techniques for getting relief, they're just full of wonderful ideas and advice. Good luck!!

Kacey - posted on 01/13/2012

Thanks Ladies!!

Janice - posted on 01/13/2012

My son is 6 weeks and my letdown is quite painful too. I also didnt have this much pain with my daughter. Maybe it is a second baby thing. I have a forceful letdown so I assume this causes more pain.

Maree - posted on 01/13/2012

If it hurts all through the feed maybe see someone about it but if its a few minutes or seconds i don't think theres anything to worry about

Denikka - posted on 01/13/2012

I agree. Never hurt with my first (boy) but OMG! like shards of glass with my second (girl). But only for the first few seconds, when the milk let down. Got checked for problems, didn't have any. Just powered through it for a few months and then it stopped. It does get better :)

Maree - posted on 01/13/2012

Totally normal...i have the same problem,it stops hurting after a few months or so. My daughter is 9 months and only recently stopped hurting