Breastfeeding and Pain

I BF my daughter for 13 months. The only time I experienced ANY pain or discomfort were the following times...before my milk came in, when my daughter was not latched properly, if I got bitten (lol), or when I was completely FULL of milk. Thats it. I think 9 times out of 10, a baby has not mastered a good latch or is sucking improperly so that causes pain for mom. Hope things get better!

The "experts" will all tell you that if it's done right, it shouldn't hurt. I think they say that to try to encourage women to do it, since it's the healthiest and less expensive way to feed a baby..... That being said, I think that while it may be true for most women, it's definitely not true for all, and health care providers/advisers would do more good by being honest that its sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes even pain, and it can take a while to work through the issues.

I had constant pain for the first 6 months, though the first 2 months were the worst. I saw a lactation consultant 4 separate times, after seeing one in the hospital several times. My son has a high palate, an overbite, and was slightly tongue tied. So, um, not be be graphic, but my headlights no longer point straight ahead any more (ahem...). I wasn't doing anything wrong, but the shape of his mouth was making it hard. I also think that this is one reason that it took him forever to nurse (like, 40 minutes per side when he was a newborn/infant, and he'd nurse both sides; this gradually decreased over time to about 15 minutes per side). I'm also extra sensitive, and for months, with every letdown, it felt like I was being stabbed in the nipple with a pin. That finally went away over time as well.

I finally read an article by a doc who blogs (Dr. Amy something; she blogs about birth & related topics) who basically said that doctors & lact. consutlants, etc., who promote breast feeding are doing a disservice to women by not admitting that sometimes, it just isn't the blissful ideal that it's portrayed as, and that there's not necessarily anything wrong with that. When I read that, I finally stopped blaming myself for doing something wrong, and instead gave myself a pat on the back for keeping going even though it was pretty awful for a while.

For me, I found that, especially at first, varying the baby's position, with every feeding helped to prevent one part of the nipple from getting stressed too much, and sort of spread the stress out. That was how I managed to avoid getting cracked nipples again. The other thing that I found helped was to disengage the baby, rather than let him "slide off" when he was finished; he tended not to release very well at first, so that caused extra pain. I broke the suction and took him off the breast, rather than letting him relax off on his own.

I also used a lot of lanolin. I mean a lot. My 2 SIL said, oh, I still have most of my 3 oz tube left. Well, I put lanolin on after every single feeding, and I've used up almost 2 tubes in the course of nursing my son.

If there is cracking/bleeding, clearly there is something wrong. But even in a case where it's been tough the whole road, I can say that for us it was worth it. It did get better, and while for us it was never the blissful time that so many tout it as, it was very worth doing. And no, I'm not a martyr. LOL. :)

My girlfriend and I discovered that if you do not try to mess with your nipples after nursing, don't wipe them, clean them, nothing. I know some people are grossed out by this but I am telling you it works. Just let them be. When the baby is done nursing, just let it be. Her cracking and such should clear up pretty quick. If it doesn't, I would try vitamin E oil or straight Vaseline (do not use much, nature works better than anything else.

Good luck to your sister. It is the hardest thing any of us have endured. Just keep reminding her that after a couple weeks it works out if you can stick it out. Also let her know, if she cannot stick it out, it doesn't make her a bad mom. It doesn't work for everyone, her baby will be fine no matter which way she goes.

It will get better! Just like you experience it can be painful at first. Some women, even with a perfectly latched baby, can experience pain and cracked nipples. Seeing a lactation consultant it a great start as well as visiting her local LLL just as you did. Once she is positive that there is not latch problem or a tounge tie in the baby then it's just a matter of getting through until her nipples toughen up a little and her baby becomes more proficient at nursing. There are something she can do in the mean time to help her nipples. Make sure she is using lanolin after every feeding. This will help keep her nipples supple and help prevent the cracking and encourage healing. She should also try to spend some time bare breasted. Just getting air on her nipple with help them heal and keep them from getting sore and chapped. She can also express some breastmilk and massage it into her nipples. Breastmilk has a natural antiseptic properties and will also encourage healing. There are products on the market that are gel filled rings that she can freeze or heat to help soother her nipples as well. Lastly, while her nipples are healing, instead of resorting to a pump that, at least in my experience, isn't all that gentle on nipples she could look into getting nipple shields. I would not suggest that she use more than she absolutely has to though as it can effect her milk supply and can be hard to wean from using as the baby learns to latch to them and can sometimes have a hard time latching back on to the regular nipple.

Lastly, YOU are her best support right now. She is your sister and she trusts you. Make sure you remind her of your experience and that it did get better once you made it past those first painful weeks. She can do this and you can help her! Good luck. Your sister and her new little baby are so lucky to have you in their lives supporting them!

It is great that she is seeing a lactation consultant tomorrow. You may also look into the local hospital and see if they have a breastfeeding support group. I had cracks, bleeding, and eventually damage with my first child, but persevered and breastfed for 14.5 months. I wouldn't change that for anything, it was worth it. With my daughter I was also hurting, although less than with my son. When I was too full, I pumped to soften them - the first time I pumped them clean out even though they say not to, but I needed the relief. It gradually got better. I think at week 7, I suddenly realized, it doesn't hurt at all. Nursing is such a joy and even with a little discomfort at times (missing feedings or pumping because of work), it is so worth it. Tell her to hang in there, and feel free to PM me if you/she need more support.

I also got great nursing pads at puffymondaes.com, and MotherLove nipple cream. If she can have them exposed to the air as much as possible, that can help the healing.

They are FULL OF IT! It HURTS SO BAD the first few weeks, I think it was 3 weeks for me. Don't let anyone lie to you. As far as the cracked and bleeding nipples, she should contact her lactation consultant and use plenty of that lanolin that is safe for the baby.
While breastfeeding my 2nd, she gave me thrush on my nipples. Worse pain I've experienced in my life, like someone took a curling iron and rolled it all over my nipples and breasts. I was told to apply the medication and continue to nurse. It SUCKED, but I'm glad I didn't give up. Just took Tylenol about 30 min before breastfeeding.
I'm not sure that I would pump for the pure fact that I found it to be more painful/uncomfortable than nursing.
I have successfully nursed 3 children, each for 1 year. I wanted to quit early with both of my girls, but didn't and I am so grateful! Not only is it the best bonding experience EVER, but my kids are so healthy and beautiful. All of their friends get sick all of the time, but not mine, maybe only once or twice a year, at most. Stick with it and you will not regret it!

omg my nips hurt for the first few weeks, hubby would make me ice packs to help soothe them. They are so full of it that it does not hurt. I think they say that so moms wont be affraid to nurse. I used the melody it think it was called gel/lotion stuff it does not interfer with the taste so the baby is not bothered by it. Dont give up it will get better. is she pumping also that really helped me out to talke a break from having jaws on my breast all day long, lol. keep supporting her she will get through it. good luck

I have a 5 month old son, and back in may i thought i wouldnt be successful at breastfeeding as long as i wanted to, because it hurt so darn bad. I couldnt stand it, I almost gave up, but something every feeding made me push through it. It hurt ALOT...I was nursing one time back then, and I looked down to look at him, and i saw the most disturbing thing, a mixture of blood and milk was drooling out of his mouth, he spit up blodd, i was so scared and then i noticed my nipple was bleeding. To let that heal, i just put all his feedings on the other side for a couple of days, and i also bought those nursing pads with lanolhn in them. Gel Pads..That helped. It does hurt, but tell her not to give up...it does eventually go away..

Here is what worked for me: lanolin, gel pads (the ones at Target did not work, my lactation consultant/sister snagged me some from the hospital, don't remember the brand but worked great at healing my "mutilated" nipples) and time:( I strongly recommend the gel pads. Some of my pain was due to vasodilation in my nipple.

My first baby hurt for 3 weeks (bad latch) and then we nursed pain free until she weaned at 15 months.

My second baby hurt for 10 weeks, 6 of which I had sores/cracking, etc. We then nursed pain free until she weaned at 26 months. In hindsight, she had a small mouth and was a little tongue tied and I had swollen nipples. Still, the ENT did not think she needed her frenulum clipped at the time.

My third baby hurt for about 10 weeks but once the gel pads were used, my sore/bleeding/ulcerated nipples healed (at about 3-4 weeks). We are still nursing painfree at 11 months.

Good luck to your sis!

From my experience it just hurts in the beginning and pumping makes more milk so more pain, but if you can express a little before you start nursing, not pumping but just get some of the fullness out, the baby latches on better and can cause less pain. With my first kids they told me to use the lanolin, not sure they do that these days, but it maybe helped maybe not. I think doing nothing did the best thing. I did bathe, but only wiped off with a wet cloth before and after feeding and it seemed to get better much faster. It just takes time and for people with sensitive skin it seems to take longer. I hope your sister will stick with it as I regret the babies I gave up on not getting that opportunity although they survived on formula. It's so much better for you and the baby if you can stick with it.

My beautiful baby girl made me cry for 6 full weeks. She latched very well on one side and it did not hurt, but on the other side would not latch worth a darn. We went to the nursing specialist at the hospital and she helped a little, but I still cried everytime she had to nurse on the right side. It did not matter what position I put her she still would not open up and latch good. Finally one day she just "got" it. It was worth enduring and crying. I had made up my mind this is what I was going to do and I did it. I nursed her til she was a year old and she nursed every hour and half from the time she was born til the time she was weaned.

I know that several have mentioned this, but I wanted to emphasize the possibility of thrush. If she has thrush, she may not have visible signs, and it can cause a deep shooting pain while nursing. If that's it, the lanolin will make it worse, because it will keep moisture in. I would just suggest that she ask her doc or lactation nurse to check...if it is thrush, once it clears up (with medication), the pain should lesson DRAMATICALLY. I agree with everyone else, though...sometimes it does hurt, but persevering through it is SO worth it! She is lucky to have such an awesome support system in you!!

I don't know why everyone lies, but they do! Here are the lies I heard when learning how to breastfeed my two boys:

1. If you're doing it "right," it doesn't hurt.
2. It is a natural process. It may take some time, but you and your baby should get the hang of it easily.
3. You don't need any breast cream/ointment. Just use a little expressed milk and you won't crack and bleed.

I cracked and bled so very badly with my first and second. I had mastitis twice with my first. I had so much milk coming in that I needed to pump between feedings just to relieve the pressure!

There are two things that I can recommend. They are:

1. A good lanolin cream for her nipples. People will tell you that you don't need it, that breast milk has all the necessary fat, and rubbing that on your nipples will hydrate them enough. They lie! Use the lanolin. It is a lifesaver!
2. Chilled cabbage leaves. (Sounds weird. I know!) If she can or will put chilled cabbage leaves in her bra, that will relieve a lot of the pressure and pain. Keep them in until they warm up. Once they are warm, either replace them with a new set, or just go about your day. She may not feel relief right away, but she will feel relief.

In spite of all the annoyances that I had, including thrush, breastfeeding was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. It was awesome to see the boys gaining weight, reaching developmental milestones, and having the energy to "flirt" with everyone they met, knowing that I was the one responsible for giving them such a good start in the world.

God bless!

ummm...I don't know why they say it doesn't hurt, once you get a single crack it hurts. I used lanolin ointment and it really does help, also if you express a little milk by hand immediately after feeding and rub it around the cracked nipple it will help!! It shouldn't hurt in the sense of extreme pain, but if you have something pulling and sucking on cracked skin it becomes sensitive and hurts, but usually they toughen up after those first (I say) 4 wks and it is better, but pumping makes it worse, so if you start pumping too it can take longer. Good luck

PS i forgot...the cabbage leaves work wonders and if her breasts are still firm after the baby has stopped nursing she needs to pump some to release pressure and prevent mastitis (hurts like hell). Be careful not to pump too much and not to empty, just to relieve the extra, because if you pump to empty, you'll continue to make more. I only applied the ointment 2-3X a day, and used breast milk in between after every feeding. Also, warm washcloth (I wet it and microwave in an open zip loc for 20-25" feels good on the pressure and if you're starting to clog a milk duct will help relieve that and prevent the infection and blocked duct!).

I don't care what the "experts" say - it hurts! My experience was that it was excruciatingly painful the first 2 weeks, but I hung in there and by that time we kind of had it down, and then for 2 months, it still hurt, but wasn't as bad. After that, it didn't hurt at all except a weird tweaking when she first latched on. With my first, I thought I must be doing something wrong. She had a really intense biting latch. With my second, it was exactly the same. I even asked the lacatation consultant when she first came in, because I thought it was a good latch (she said it was), but her little jaw would open slowly, then CHOMP - hard and fast bite down on every suck. That's just how my kids roll, I guess. Wasn't fun for me, but it was worth it in the end since it got better both times.

I only had bleeding nipples a couple of times - the first was when we were still in the hospital. That was the worst! Once they heal, get her to use the Soothies pads - that is the best relief out there. Expensive, but worth every penny.

I was lucky - other than the initial bleeding, I didn't have any other major issues. I never had thrush or mastitis or anything. Tell her to hang in there! It WILL get better!

My nipples hurt soooo bad the first couple of weeks! I dreaded feeding my baby, but what I did was use lanolin, I would put it on after I fed EVERY time and I would also put some on my breast pads and that seemed to help alot! The lanisloh brand is really good!

And I am still breast feeding now and my baby is almost 2 months old

Yeah, mine hurt for quite awhile, too. Not sure how long (a few weeks maybe??), but it was HORRIBLE pain. However, it was worth it! Eventually it went away, and I never bled from it. I nursed my son for 13 months and he never had any formula. I have a close friend who got a sore on her nipple so bad that her doctor took pictures of it because he couldn't believe it. I was amazed that she kept bf'ing (I think she gave that side a rest). She nursed for a little over a year, also. Tell your sister to hang in there, it WILL get better and easier! I know so many people who quit nursing for one reason or another and later told me they regretted it. One of my friends quit, said she regretted it, then did the same thing when her second baby came along!

Definitely hurt for the first few weeks- and the latch was good and baby was getting milk. This is what helped me:
Used Lansinoh lanolin on my nipples after every nursing session.
Used cold green cabbage leaves on my breasts for engorgement (just put one in your bra for 10-15 minutes).

Hi A.,

Sorry to hear about your sister's pain. I had blistered, bleeding, painful breasts when I nursed too. I had way too much milk for my newborns and needed to pump - a lot.

Getting them latched on and making it to the point of the milk "letting down" was the worst. Be sure to tell your sister to keep pumping the milk off even though pumping can be pretty uncomfortable too. If she doesn't, she might get mastitis which makes things a lot worse. (Learned that one from experience!)

After my kids were about 2 months old, nursing got so much better. They were able to handle all that milk and the pain totally went away.

I'll bet her lactation consultant will have some good advice for her too.

God bless,
A.

I always think it's silly that the experts say it won't hurt. Any time you do something new with your skin or your muscles, it hurts. Having something little and wet (drying) tugging on any part of your body, especially a sensitive part like your breasts, repeatedly, multiple times a day is bound to HURT. Even if the latch is perfect. If the latch is not perfect, that only adds to the pain, it doesn't cause it. Encourage your sister to pump for a while if that feels better, and to use lots of lanolin. Also, avoid using soap (especially anything with fragrance) on her breasts, which will dry them out, and sometimes a cool compress over the nipples can feel so good. Good luck.

I had constant pain for 6 months when breastfeeding. A sharp shooting pain that really hurt. The lactation consultants made sure my baby's latch was great so that was not the problem. For some women it is just painful. I would just grit my teeth and suck it up. It was quite shocking at first but I kind of got used to it.

Lansinoh brand cream for breastfeding mothers is awesome and you can pick it up at your local Wal Mart. It's made with lanolin so it's perfectly safe for baby and it will bring Mom much needed relief from dry cracked skin. Also, Florence's suggestion of frozen cabbage leaves will bring some relief from the pain even while your sister is still nursing. Good luck.

mine hurt for months, my toes would curl and tears would fall for every latch on i had for the first few weeks, i got mastisis, and sometimes she would drink as much blood as milk, not to mention she never had a proper latch, and it was hard to get it started. I trudged on, she has never had to drink formula, not even supplemental formula., I still breastfeed, even now that my daughter will be two in october. It was all totally worth it.