Breastfeeding Newborn Baby (3 Days Old)

With my third child, nursing was so painful I was curling my toes and grimacing when she latched on. And my nipples were bleeding by the fourth day. I kept thinking, "I've done this twice before -- what is wrong with me?" But it turned out she had a "tongue tie" -- the frenulum under her tongue was so tight she couldn't get her tongue well enough out over her lower gum line to "milk" the breast. Sometimes when she was nursing I could feel a "clicking" feeling -- the lactation consultant I went to see told me that was a symptom of her trying to get her tongue where it was supposed to be and then having it fall back. Anyway, the lactation consultant told me to get to an oral surgeon who could cut the frenulum. When we went to the doctor, he said it looked really minor to him; he wasn't sure it would be worth doing...? And I didn't want to cut under my baby's tongue if it wasn't necessary, so I was doubting myself. But my husband said "we came all the way out here; the lactation consultant said this was causing the problems..." so we did it. BEST DECISION EVER. Immediately (and I mean, immediately -- I nursed her there in the doctor's office right after he did the procedure) it was SO MUCH BETTER. Didn't hurt when she latched on, didn't "click" when she nursed. Bleeding nipples healed in a day and a half.

This might not be the same issue you have, but maybe you could ask a lactation consultant?

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I had to use the medela soft shells because my little one had problems latching on and they seemed to help. I applaud you for wanting to at the very least pump so your little one can continue to receive breastmilk. Do not feel bad if you need to take a break and want to pump instead for a break! You aren't doing anything wrong. You can always come right back to it when you feel a bit more healed up:) If you feel like you can stand it, if I were in your shoes... I might try and still breast feed, but just a lot less while healing up?! You are already doing great because you clearly care enough to seek advice in order to make the best decision you can. Hang in there! It is always nice to have some breastmilk stored in the freezer anyway:) so others can help you when you need a break! You are doing great!! Best, H.:) http://www.heidihurd.com

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I used the trick of first washing with warm water and then rubbing a bit of breast milk on the nipple and leaving it there.

I also only fed from one side for each feeding. This gave the other a break. This worked just fine for me for the whole 11 months of breast feeding.

I would try different positions, also.

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From my experience, the lactation consultants at hospitals are not terribly effective. You're much better contacting someone local who is a huge advocate for breastfeeding and will help you through the pain. My consultant really warned me away from the nipple shields.

I think no matter how good the latch is, your nipples get sore. That constant stimulation is new and it takes some getting used to. I'd be careful about pumping so early on. Lots of women fall into the pumping trap early on and never get out of it. I pump when I'm at work but when I'm home with my baby, I give her my breast. It's better for me and her.

It may not seem like good advice, but once you've contacted a reliable lactation consultant, just try to work through it. It gets SOOOO much easier everyday. Breastfeeding is hard but it will become so natural and instinctive if you keep going and have confidence in yourself. Besides... you just gave birth, one of the most physically straining experiences of a lifetime. You can handle this.

Good luck!

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Pumping always makes my nipples hurt more. I would suggest using nipple shields while the baby eats. I know you don't really want to hear this but your nipples will get better. They kind of get used to it. Use the lanolin all the time and maybe ask your doctor to prescribe the triple nipple cream which is expensive but worth it, You have to get it from a pharmacy that can mix it for you. With my first baby my nipples were bleeding for a few days but I kept using the nipple shields and the triple cream and eventually it got better. Hang in there. This is the hardest part of breast feeding. You could try wet warm compresses before you feed so your let down comes quicker and she doesn't have to suck so hard.

Add on... Do you wear the shells while she eats??? I just googled them and it looks like you dont. There are these nipple shields that look like little silicone sombreros and you wear them while the baby eats. Get those.

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is your nipple getting far enough into baby's mouth? this sounds like pain caused by baby only sucking on the nipple, really, baby should have most if not all of the colored part of your breast in her mouth when nursing. if not, you have an improper latch, and thats going to cause you pain.

heres my number one advice for you: you just had this baby. you are both still getting used to things, trying to figure out how it all works, etc. give yourself some time. i would seriously ditch the shields; they are not helping you. find a local or nearby la leche league group and/or leader, and have her come to you if she can to help you figure this out. im 90% sure its an improper latch. what you want to do is get baby to open her mouth as far as she can, put the colored part near her bottom lip, and then bring her CLOSE and SNUG up to your nipple. this will also make her open up wider and take more of the nipple and colored part into her mouth. this should help!

whatever you do, dont give up! :) you are only 3 days in, you still are VERY new to it, as is she, and this isnt a huge issue. :) you just need some support and help, and theres nothing wrong with that. :) :) as i said, get ahold of a local or nearby la leche league, and have them come help you out. the best part is, they have BEEN there, they know exactly what they are talking about.

www.llli.org is the website. ;) let me know if you have any further issues, but i think proper latch will help you a LOT. :) good luck and keep it up mama!! :)

PS: i STRONGLY caution you against lactation consultants. there are some who are very good, but hospitol staffed consultants are typically nurses who have had ONE class on breastfeeding. they might not even have ever breastfed their own kids. so really, though they might have taken some class, they dont have experience. la leche league leaders are moms who have breastfed their own child(ren) for AT LEAST a year; typically they nurse longer. so la leche league is the way to go!

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I read a few responses and they all seem right on. I had the worst time nursing it hurt so bad I wanted to push my feet through the floor! I got to the point where I never wanted night time to come because my son too wanted to nurse all night (at least it seemed all night). This is what I did and it helped me.
1. Use the lanolin cream and put it on thick always.
2. Write down when you nursed last. Try to get at least two hours in between. This is where help is super handy.
3. Check to make sure the latching on is correct and dont give up.
It will get better! I promise you! Your a great mom for breast feeding so keep up the good work. Were always here for help and encouragement if needed!

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I used to pump for a feeding or two and have my husband give a bottle. My older son got one hours after birth (he was early and in the hospital for 10 days). My younger son got one on day 4 or 5. For me, it was a break from feeding. For my husband it was a wonderful chance to get to know his son. Neither kid had nipple confusion. I highly recommend it.

Yes, pump to give them a break, if this works for you, I can tell you from experience that you baby will do just find going from bottle to nipple. I actually stopped breastfeeding all together for about 3 weeks because my youngest just wasn't latching on right and I was in major pain, she got bit older learned how to suck better and then I just weaned her back onto the breast, it took some work but now at 6 months she is breastfeeding like a champ and has been since at least 3 months of age. Even better is she will take breast or bottle now. I had to end up using Newmans ointment (prescribed) because linolin did not do the trick for me.

Keep up the good work, be patient you are doing great. Oh and I think what helped a ton for me is I usually would feed during the daytime hours and then at night I would pump while my hubby fed the baby a bottle that way I got a break

The only advice I know to give you, is to air out as much as possible. I was told to rub a little milk into my nipples, and let it air dry before re-hooking my bra. Helped tremendously. If you DO go the pumping route, hand-express a little milk and "lube up" your nipples before you start. It will help with the chafing. :) Good luck!

Just stick with it! I remember, with both of my kids, I was sore and the skin on my nipples would break and it was miserable for a week or two, and then it was fine. I don't think I even used lanolin after a month or so. I don't think pumping will make it much better. I have a friend who had to pump for her firstborn but was able to breastfeed her second and said that the breastfeeding was much easier on her.
I totally sympathize with you, but it will get better very soon! Good luck!

Well the fact is the pain really is that bad at first and yes my nipples did bleed from it. But if you just continue to use the shells or stop and just pump your nipples will never toughen up and get past the hurting part. Really it takes a good 3 weeks to a month (at least for me) until my nipples feel fine again and nursing isn't so painful. But if you can just stick it out for a few more weeks it really will be all better. I'm sure you have gotten good tips on how to help with the pain so my only advise is if you really want to nurse just keep it up and in a few weeks you will feel fine.

When my son was born and i started nursing, my nipples were killing me, and then the skin literally peeled off. At which point it was no longer painful. However, I did find ways to ease the pain. After nursing, put a damp washcloth on them, with warm or cool water- whatever feels better. Then let them air dry. Once dry, put the Lanolin on. It should help soothe them. Then soon hopefully you won't be in pain any longer. If it continues, I would contact a lactation consultant. Good luck

Congrats on the new baby girl!

Call la leche leage and get yourself with a GOOD lactation consulatant. Sore nipples are normal, but if they get so raw that they blister or bleed, it may be that your baby is not latching correctly. If you get the latch corrected you will be able to forgo the shields and the soreness will subside.
I also made sure to use plenty of lanolin after each feeding.

It is worth sticking it out! Good luck!

You're going to get a million different answers.

I'd pump. That never hurt me as much as nursing right at the beginning.

If you're bleeding, the latch is wrong. Make an appointment with a lactation consultant ASAP. You;ll be able to tell that she's latched correctly because what is insanely painful will become just mildly uncomfortable.

Both of my kids took bottles and nursed from about day 3 (they both had trouble latching, so bottle was it for a little bit).

Good luck. It really does get better.

I'm not reading all the other answers, but...

I don't think pumping is going to help much. In my experience it can actually hurt more than nursing if your nipples are already sore.

2 things that might help:
Use a nipple shield (silicone cover for the area where baby latches) while baby nurses, just make sure not to use it all the time or the baby could get used to it and only want to nurse with it on.
Get some gel pads for relief. I think there are some made by Gerber, and maybe another brand as well. They are very cooling and soothing.

Keep up with the lanolin -- First Years makes some great breastpads that already have lanolin, but I had to order them online

Keep up with the nursing -- it does get better! You might want to get some tips to make sure the baby is latching correctly because if not, that can make you way more sore. However, my experience (nursed 2 children) is that the first few days are rough because you get so engorged when milk comes in that it's difficult for the baby to get a really good latch no matter what you do. (although you could try hand expressing just a bit -- google search it for directions -- in order to give her a better chance to latch on)

Definitely check her latch and if it's not a good one, keep trying until she gets it. Let your nipples air-dry after each feeding. It takes a while for the nipples to 'toughen up', but it will happen.

I don't think I'd pump and bottle feed just because it'll be so much easier for her to get the milk from the bottle than the breast, she may get lazy at the breast.

There's sore, and then there's excruciating. With my first I was having such horrible pains when she'd latch on that I'd literally cry out. My nipples were bright red and no amount of cream or breastmilk would heal them. It took a while, but we discovered I had thrush - not my baby, just me. And everytime it'd start to heal, she'd pass it back to me. Eventually we got it all cleared up and breastfeeding became a joy. I'm telling you this so you know it's NOT supposed to hurt for long. Yes, at first you body is getting used to it, but if it gets to the point where it feels like needles are being stabbed into your nipples, go to your doctor!

just read thru a few responses and i would agree with finding a lactation consultant that's experienced! also, you may want a prescription for Triple Nipple to help with the healing. That worked better for me those first weeks than just lanolin. Good luck!

you have to build a calice (i know, sounds gross). you also have to make sure she's latched on correctly. she could be sucking too hard... maybe pump a bit to get you started and then she wouldn't need to? she's learning too : ) i wouldn't pump and use the bottle though if you only want to breast feed, it will be problematic in the long run.

When babies are little they want to eat all the time which makes it hard on us especially if your child is having any latch issues because then you will start to have pain and its constant at that age because they feed a lot. The same thing happened with me with both my children and this last time I would stop nursing and would pump so that I could have time to heal. When you do go back to nursing don't be surprised if the pain comes back again after one or two feedings. This early on your nipples are very sensitive and haven't had to deal with this kind of sensation before. After time they will get tougher and be able to handle the babies latch. Try and work on making sure your child has the proper latch each time as that will make it easier on you to cause less pain. I hate to tell you it could take a couple weeks for your nipples to toughen up and make it where it does not hurt as much.

Breastfeeding is so wonderful for your baby and the longer you can do it the better for your child. That being said, it is also a very personal decision and you need to be happy with the process. Know that if the pain persists and you really want to stop nursing that you can always just pump. There are lots of women out there that have chosen to pump only milk for their children. It really doesn't matter how they get it as long as it comes from mom.

Good Luck
VillageMom
www.ittakesavillagedallas.com

pumping always made me hurt worse. It will get better. Make sure she is latching correctly give your sore nipples some air keep using the lanolin and maybe try some different positions.

If you can stick to it, it will be a WORLD of difference in 2 weeks and should be getting better in even 1 week. Don't put too much pressure on yourself though. There are so many emotions swirling around right after the birth. If you think you can get through it, go for it! Congratulations - what a joy!

DID they give you the shells you wear in you bra between feedings? Did they also give you the Medela Nipple sheilds you can wear WHILE nursing - they are a thin little piece of silicone, looks like a tiny sombrero, you wear it over your nipple, it has 4 holes in the tip, so the baby nurses through it, it will help makt the friction and suction on your skin a little less. That , and spray on Lanolin spray by the First years, saved me alot of pain. Also the cooling gel-pads, Soothies.

You WILL be sore for a few more days at least, but as you keep at it, your nipples will heal and will get used to it, this will not continue forever, and believe it or not, a pump is just as rough if not rougher than a baby and then feedings will take twice as long - pump, them feed, then wash/sterilize all the stufff.

Keep nursing, see if you cna find the items I mentioned above to help!

Good Luck!

Jessie

Try positioning baby differently.
It will take a little getting used to but you can try
sitting/lying in different positions with baby at different angles.
Also, you might want to check with one of the lactation consultants
and/or La Leche League to make sure that baby is latching on correctly.
The pressure of her gums shouldn't be on your nipples
but further back, on the areola.
It will get easier, I promise.

It would be nice if they included the whole pain part of breastfeeding in the "mommy manual"...lol. Pumping will hurt a lot worse in my experience. You should get in to see your lactation consultant asap to make sure she is latching on correctly. If she isn't, she is likely injuring you and not getting enough milk, which could easily affect your milk production. Also, go and get some lanolin if you don't already have some and apply it often. That stuff is amazing! On the bright side, once you get past this initiation phase you will most likely find that breastfeeding is a wonderful bonding time for you and your little girl. But if it turns out that breastfeeding isn't for you, don't feel bad, you are her mom and ultimately know what is best for both of you. Good luck and congrats!

Call a lactation consultant or La Leche League leader ASAP!! Sounds like you might need to try a different position to let your nipples heal. During my first couple days of nursing my son caused so much bruising on my nipple, I would cry (bawl) every time I nursed him. My mid-wife came over to check on us and gave the me the best advice I could have received. I had been nursing in the traditional "cradle" position. She suggested I try the "football hold" for a few days to move the position of the baby's mouth. It was miraculous. I was finally able to heal and went on to nurse for 22 months! I wish you the best of luck. Nursing a newborn is very difficult but if you can make it through the first few weeks, it gets 1000 times easier!!

That might be good for you however you will risk nipple confusion. I experienced my son not wanting to breastfeed once he got the bottle .

if your breasts are really not tollerating it, then yes, give your body a break pump and syringe feed. no bottle for the first 10 days or they can develop a preference for bottle over breast. Hopefully you got sent home with a few curved syringes or flexible cups for supplimenting. If you don't know what I'm talking about email me about the syringe feeding.

My first baby was introduced to early to the bottle and it did sabotoage my our efforts to breastfeed. My second is now 3 months and we jumped through hoops to make breasfeeding work. Because my milk was a touch slow coming in she was pulling off the nipple and relaching in frustration, as well as feeding every hour or two around the clock. This caused her to hurt me (litteral scabs on my nipples), as well I only got 2 hours a sleep each day for two days in a row. I intended to put baby to breast, no pumps, no bottles if it killed me. Thank God a very experienced, knowlegable lactation consultant popped in on me moments before leaving the hospital. This is what what she told me and I'm convinced she saved me. If baby is hurting you and nursing without giving you any breaks, you will burn out.
Cluster feeding is okay, but if baby feeds on you every hour all day and all night, you will not last. You have to get some sleep, as well, your breasts need a chance to recover. Give the baby a suppiment until you milk is in so your breasts can recover. DONT USE BOTTLES. Pump and suppliment, but if baby is still hungry, give a few Milileters of formula so baby goes 2.5 -three hours between feedings. Otherwise, your breasts can't recover. I disagree with the "toughening up the nipples" phylosophy. If baby is taking extra long to nurse she may have an ineffective suck. This is an issue that will need professional help, but in the mean time, put baby to breast for no more than 30 min. then pump and suppliment to give breasts a break.

You need to get a proper latch... breastfeeding should never hurt and you do NOT have to 'roughen up' your nipples. Get an IBCLC to come over and help you with the latching process. That means she will have to actually observe you nursing, and show you where the latch went wrong. Do not feel embarrassed, ashamed or a failure about it - most women do have issues getting their newborn to latch.

Pumping may just make things worse - between your body not getting the correct stimulation to produce as much and her possibly getting nipple confusion. Once you get the latch correct, there will be no pain even if your nipples are a bit sore.

Stop with the nipple cream and simply get your own breastmilk rubbed around your areola and allow to air dry. Also walk around without a bra or shirt on until your nipples are healed - but don't stop nursing, simply get the correct latch going.

Check out www.kellymom.com

Are u latching on correctly because if u not u will continue to have this problem. There is nothing really u can put on it because remember that your nipple has to go into your babies mouth. But there is a cream u can use after feeding your baby to keep it from cracking and help with the soreness walmart or target usually has it lanzinoh in a purple tube u put it on after each use. Could luck. Dont give up on the breast feeding.

I ended up wearing nipple shields for at least 3 weeks to allow my nipples to heal. With the exception of being a pain to put on multiple times a day, they were awesome b/c I could still feed the baby and yet didn't have the constant friction on my nipples while they were healing. I had totall all-out bleeding with baby #2 which is when I discovered using nipple shields. With my 3rd baby, I made sure to keep the shields on hand and sure enough ended up using them. I don't know if it was my nipples "toughening up" or baby getting a better latch as she got older (maybe both) but eventually I wasn't sore/cracked anymore.

Good luck and don't give up. As long as you know baby is getting milk the shields shouldn't be a problem.

After you are done feeding here squeeze out a few drops of breastmilk and rub them all over your nipples and let it dry on there for a minute. Your own breastmilk is a hundred times better then any of the creams. I have been feeding my little one for ten weeks now and for the first month I was pretty sore too but I got through it and now its not uncomfortable in the slightest.
And make sure that she is latching on right, no matter how many times it takes it is completely worth it in the long run.
Congratulations on your little one! Hang in there, it does get better.
You can pump if you are comfortable with giving her a bottle. Maybe pump every other feeding to give your nipples a break. I have heard that if you give a baby a bottle it can be hard to get them to want to "work" for it (getting it from the breast) but I never had this problem with either of mine.

My daughter's mouth was so small and I was so large, that it caused me to have the same problem. Her latch was good, but it wasn't long before I had cracked and bleeding nipples. I never had this problem with my son, who was a bigger baby. Anyway, I ended up with mastitis, which was later cultured to be a mrsa infection. She is now 10 weeks and I am still on antibiotics and will be for at least the next 3 weeks- it's been awful. Just beware a lot of times mastitis is caused by cracked bleeding nipples, so do what you have to get them healed up before it gets to that point. Those bacteria can travel through the cracked nipples and cause an infection. Having said that, you can pump if that is less painful for you. Also, I used these cooling gel pads in between feedings- that helped quite a bit. Good luck!