SORE Nipples - Appleton,WI

Looks like there's been some great advice posted. I just wanted to encourage you and let you know it gets easier. Breast feeding, as we all know, is best for our babies. I found it to be so easy after the first few weeks of sore nipples, and a great time to spend solo time with my babies, especially after I went back to work.

But, if for some reason it doesn't work for you...don't feel guilty if you decide to supplement or switch to formula. You can still bond with your baby, and he will still be a healthy baby. Sometimes I feel that the stress of trying to make it work can get in the way of enjoying your baby.

Either way, good luck. I hope it starts to get easier and you really enjoy this time with him.

1 mom found this helpful

I had a very similar problem with my first baby and ended up giving up. The second time around I was very determined. My daughter only wanted to nurse on the easier side too. Who wouldn't? I started pumping on the other side before I stated nursing her. After she finished with her favorite side I would let her finish up on the bad side. The pumping helped draw out the stubborn nipple. I saved the milk for when I went back to work. I nursed her until she was 8 months. She quit nursing then because I was pregnant with her sister! Good luck and hang in there!

Ok so I only briefly looked through but I didn't see these two suggestions...I apologize if they are repeats. You mentioned saving what you leak... you can check these out I've been looking but haven't ordered yet. http://www.mymilkies.com/milksaver

Also, when I had mastitis I got a prescription for a compound (had to be specially mixed at a different than normal pharmacy). It was just called nipple compound but had ibuprofen, an antifungal, antibacterial, and basic moisturizer all in tiny amouonts. You could ask your MD/Midwife to order it.

Hello,
I only have comments on the nipple shield and having sore nipples...

The nipple shield may be exactly what you need. I had some similar problems when nursing my son. My nipples were flat, not inverted, and I had to use a nipple shield. The nurses at the hospital gave it to me. It was a lifesaver for me...kind of a pain to use, but it was well worth it. My son was able to nurse happily while I got the hang of what I was doing. I used it from birth until he was about 4-5 weeks. He definitely preferred the shield by that point and it took a lot of persistence to get him to latch on without it. At first I was giving in and using the shield again when he refused, but once I just kept trying and kept trying, he would latch on for longer periods of time without the shield. After a few days, I didn't need the shield at all. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be to "wean" him off of it. Without using that shield, I don't think I would've established a good breastfeeding routine with him...latch-on time was too difficult without it.

I also cannot say enough about the greatness of lanolin. I used it religiously and rarely had problems with sore or cracked nipples. I love that stuff! I nursed my son for 18 months and used it the entire time. My routine was to apply it after I showered and I didn't use soap on my nipples in the shower...just water to clean them. I guess soap can be too drying for certain people.

Good luck!
I remember the early days of nursing and the frustrations. It does get easier!

This is what the midwives and lactation specialists told me. No extra equipment needed.

It is important to alternate between the 2 breasts. If your sore and not relaxing enough to allow for the milk to let down right away your son might be getting frustrated and wants the milk now. Try massaging your breasts and almost drawing the milk towards the nipple before you latch him on. This way the milk is right there and ready to go when your son is.

For cracked and sore nipples the best thing for them is your own milk. Lanolin is basically milk fat. The fatty milk (hind milk) that is left when your son finishes nursing can be expressed (squeezed out) and rubbed onto your nipple. Then allow your nipple to air dry. Of course this works better in the privacy of your own home. But think about it. If you have something wet and stick it in a bag before it's dry it stays wet and gets nasty. You need to let the girls dry out before packing them away. It only takes a few seconds so it's not like you have to walk arund topless. Although I did read a book that did recommend that because of the natural healing of fresh air and sunshine. (I guess:) But it is important to keep your nipples dry. Even if you use beast pads make sure you change them if they are damp.

I've had severely cracked nipples (toe curly pain and nashing of teeth while I cry) and this has worked every time. I have never used shields or shells. So I can't help you there.

Good luck and remember you can contact the La Leche League for beast feeding support meetings and additional help. And use the breast feeding consultant in your hospital if it's available.

My advice is very similar to the other posters! Use the lanolin!! It really will help. Also, I used a nipple shield with my first son. I too was concerned about weaning him off, but honestly, it wasn't too bad. Had I not had the nippleshield, I'm guessing I would have given up on breastfeeding completely. My suggestion would be to get a little bit better of a rhythm going with the nursing so that you are both comfortable with nursing on both sides. Once you have that confidence, try to get him to latch without the shield...be persistent.... also if possible, only use the shield on the side that you really need it....

I would absolutely collect ALL milk... though it sounds like you have a good supply!!! But, that extra ounce or so you are collecting will come in handy once you go back to work. One source on Kellymom said it was fine to add room temp milk to refrigerated milk... that is probably what I would do, then freeze the complete amount at the end of the day.

Are your nipples cracked? You may want to check this out as well..
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/nipplehealing.html

particularly the part about the saline soaking/rinsing. This has helped me in the past when I had a milk blister.

Kellymom is a great resource for nursing... check it out! Good luck.

God bless you! You are the kind of mom that makes the rest of us proud to be a part of this "kinship"! Hang in there! You are at a very difficult part of this and it WILL get better. And it will seem all the better for your having had it this bad! Please be on guard for thrush. You are vulnerable right now because the nipples are cracked and because of the amount of time they spend moist. And you do NOT want yeast.
The post just before mine mentioned the type of cream I would recommend, and I would add that Dr. Newman has a prescription your compounding pharmacy could make for you. It will heal any thrush or otherwise help you cover all the bases. www.drjacknewman.com
Maybe even a great website to look into for encouragement. And if I were in your shoes I would shop for a LLL leader or lactation consultant (probably both) to stand by me until it all gets better. But I am that type of person--I like lots of personal support and milk my friends for all they're worth. Not everyone is like that. Make sure, though, that you don't just take the first one you find if you don't like her or don't completely trust her knowledge and instincts. This a relationship that you really want to work for you.

I'm sure someone's suggested it, but find a lactation consultant. Or, if that's not working, find your local LaLeche League. They are generally very willing to help with things like that.

I had a great nursing relationship with my first, but my second sucked HARD. I had blisters on my nipples, and I know exactly what you mean by "toe curling pain"--I tensed up for the first two months every time he latched on! So--I pumped. My poor nipples needed a rest every so often, and pumping and feeding allowed my nipples to rest and heal a little bit each day. Nursing hurt for a while, but it wasn't nearly so painful after about 2 weeks.

I would try starting on the more awkward side. Make him try to nurse from that side, and if it doesn't work, switch then. But offer that side first all the time.

Good luck--my ideas are just suggestions; a lactation consultant can truly work with you to come up with what's best for you and your son.

I am sorry that you are in so much pain. I know I found pregnancy and childbirth a breeze compared to breastfeeding. If you want to keep it up, a lactation consultant, although pricey, could be a big help. I also wanted to second what only one commenter so far has said. There is no shame in giving your baby formula (either supplementing or exclusively). There is a lot of pressure to breastfeed these days and a lot of women bend over backwards to make it work. I know I jumped through all sorts of hoops, but looking back, I wish I had just relaxed and given a few bottles and not worried so much about him being "exclusively breastfed" and enjoyed my baby more those first few months. Decide how much you are willing to do to make it work or how long you want to work at it, but please don't be afraid of giving yourself a break if you are in a lot of pain or starting to dread the breastfeeding. Yeah, breast is best, but only marginally, so don't stress too much about it. Congrats on the new baby and good luck.

As far as the sore nipples -- hang in there, you're doing a great job (I know, nobody tells you its toe curling pain!!) and it won't always be so bad. I had a hard time getting the latch down with my son too, but by 6 weeks (probably a little earlier) it wasn't painful like that any more and my nipples weren't bleeding anymore. By 8 weeks, it just started to feel like a slight tugging. And as far as saving the milk, absolutely save it -- you don't have to wait to freeze it though, you can add to the bag throughout the day (I would probably limit it to the same day though). And once he gets the latch down on the left side too, your body will adjust your production -- don't worry about it, basically he figures it out and your body responds to his demands -- trust the process and keep at it, you're doing great.

3 weeks is not a long time to have soreness - i would say mine were sore for the first month and a half. With both babies. I have flat nipples, and I had to use the sheilds...please don't be afraid to use them, the baby may get used to them, BUT babies are pretty easy to re-train later, and the nipple sheild will help with your pain,and help draw your nipples out and give the baby something to latch onto, also make him a strong sucker(takes a little more work/time to get the milk out of a nipple sheild thana bare boobie). My oldest was a small little girl, and she wouldn't nurse well without the sheilds till 4 months, my boy got partially off them at 6 weeks, and then completely at 2 months.

Believe me, the nipple sheilds ( or sombreros, as we called them) will help with your pain! You could just use it on the inverted side, especially if he latches fine on the other side - that way he is still used to a bare nipple as well, and it shouldn't be as hard to wean off the sheild when you decide to, or once your nipple "stays" everted.

Oh - and just because it hurts doesn't always mean your baby is latched wrong, if his lips are flanged out and tongue is between lip/bottom gums and breast and he is getting milk and swallowing, he is probably fine...make sure you get almost all of your areola area in his mouth. BUT that said, in those first few weeks, they are going to be sore, no matter what, in my experience. The sheilds helped. BUT with flat or inverted nipples especially, they are going to be kind-of bruised on the inside, too, because what makes them flat or inverted is keloid/scar tissue/adhesions tieing the inside of th enipple to the inner breast tissue - as the baby sucks, it is tretching and breaking these tissues/adhesions - that is going to hurt for a while - it does get better....but like i said I was really sore for about 6 weeks, and that is not just cracked or bleeding on the outside, that is like bruised on the inside under the nipple.

Oh, and I understand not using the lansinoh - I knew it should help with my pain, but it hurt so much to rub that sticky stuff in, I couldn't stand it. My mom found me this stuff, and I swear by it: http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId... Used it constantly for the first month, and sometimes after that - so much better, cause you don't have to touch those sore nipples to apply it!

Just leaking a little bit during each feeding is not taking away from your baby's nutrition - there is lenty left in there, if you have enough in there to leak, and you boobs are constantly making more.If you are nursing the right side first all the time, of course you will hear more suckingand swallowing on that side as he is hungriest on that side. You should probably alternate sides you start on to keep production up in both and keep baby used to both.

i would say keep the milk you leak, if it is leaking into a shell, it is savable, every little bit helps and you will have some built up so when you go back to work, you have a head start on a freezer supply! i would just dump it into a bag in the fridge all day and then freeze it before bed.

it is a rough road and no-one warns you haw hard nursing can be, but once you "get it" and the baby catches on, it is wonderful, and so much easier than bottles, and faster, cleaner, healthier, etc.! With both my kids, it took about 6 weeks to really get nursing learned well....and then about at 4 months, we really got into a groove and it becomes like second nature!

Good Luck - if you want to do this, you can persevere!

Jessie

Hi KK! I too had similar probs with my DD (dear daughter). We hired a lactation consultant and when she saw my nipples she said "I almost never say this but we need to give your boobs a break!" They too were horridly painful while nursing to the point where I'd have to grit my teeth not to yelp when DD latched on!

I know you said you don't want to use the nipple shields but they were a life saver for me! And the good part was that they help with inverted nipples! We called them the 'couch cover' because they reminded us of the plastic old ladies put on furniture! :) But they did help a ton and my DD didn't develop any odd attachments to them. She nursed well with or without them. The are soft, pliable and easily cleanable. I really highly, highly recommend them for both your sakes! Small hint - the first few times putting them on, get the inside damp (just sit a cup of water next to your nursing chair). It helps them "stay" while you both are getting the hang of using them! Best of luck!

Hang in there! It sounds like I was in the same situation with my first son. He was also tongue-tied for several days. I second the use of the nipple shield and lanolin. I used it for at least a few weeks. It was a lifesaver. You should possibly take your baby to a lactation clinic if there is one by you.
To try to answer your questions:
-I always alternated which breast I started on no matter what.
-YOu can save milk that leaks if it's worth it to you. If you're going back to work every ounce counts. Milk is good for several hours at room temp. Several days at fridge temp. Several months frozen. I'd put in fridge right after nursing and save that day's "leakage" until that night and then switch to freezer.

-As for the reduced/slower sucking on the second (left) side I am almost positive that it is because your baby is less hungry by the time he's on the second breast. That is why it is important to alternate which breast you begin each feeding with - to ensure both breasts have the opportunity to be drained. This will prevent plugged ducts, mastitis, and lopsidedness.

good luck and keep up the great work. I feel your pain. It was so difficult with my older son and so much easier with my now 10-month-old.

I read this and I could have sworn you were talking about me :) I have 2 children-3 and 9months. With both of them I struggled withnursing till 4-5 week mark and then it was like a cloud cleared and they figured it and so did my body. I did use a nipple shield on both and it saved ME a ton! I felt at least they were getting the breat milk- and did not matter exactly how they were getting it. I think the nipple shield helped them to be better suckers. And then as things got easier, they latched better to the shield I started trying to not use the shield every time or I would use it to get them started and extract my nipple more I would then take it off and then they could latch better. It took a good week to ween from the shield once we were ready. Hang in there!!

Hi, Congratulations to you on your new little one! I just figured I'd let you know what the lactation consultants told me regarding the breast shields. When I first tried nursing my little girl in the hospital, I was having a really hard time and the lactation consultant came in and suggested trying the nipple shields, I don't have inverted but they were pretty flat. They both suggested to only wear the shields in a feeding until the baby drew out the nipple, to unlatch the baby, take the shield off, and latch the baby back on without the shield to get her and I used to not using the shield, and for both of us to learn what we would need to do in order for her to nurse without using the shield at all. I do not recall the lactation consultant telling me anything about wearing the shields inbetween feedings. I would think if you wear them all of the time that your nipples would never have achance to dry out and it might cause more soreness and problems. I agree with a lot of the other posters in that you should contact your local lactation consultant to help with these questions. I felt very overwhelmed after my daughter was born and felt silly for having to ask someone questions about something that seemed should have been so natural to me, but I felt a whole lot better once I did. And now, 23 months later, we just stopped breastfeeding about 5 days ago. So sorry I couldn't help with the questions that you had about the milk, but I think that talking to a lactation consultant and maybe even scheduling an appointment with them, so they can help you might be the best thing for you and your baby. Good luck and congrats again.
S.

get ahold of a la leche league leader!
www.llli.org

Has a lactation consultant showed you how to roll your inverted nipple to get it out for nursing? And also shown you the 'C' hold?

Basically with inverted nipples, they need to be trained to come out for nursing. If you take your thumb and pointer finger, and squeeze your areola, and then roll your fingers while squeezing, it will force the nipple out. I had inverted nipples and this worked for my oldest. My youngest would have latched onto anything so it wasn't a problem with him. LOL.

The 'C' hold is how you nee dto hold your breast when latching. Once you get your nipple out, make your hand into a 'C', thumb down and fingers curved to look like a 'C'. Hold your breast like you would a cheeseburger (nice analogy, huh!) and point your nipple towards the roof of your childs mouth. THis allows maximum tissue in the babys mouth, so you won't get sore. If you point the nipple down, there won't be as much. If you point it towards the roof of the mouth, his tongue will get the most tissue to nurse from.

Please see a lactation consultant. Contact La Leche League inc (www.llli.org) and find someone in your area to help you out. Breastfeeding shouldn't hurt, and the combo of a tongue tied baby and inverted nipples needs special attention to make it work without pain.

I exclusively breastfed both of my children for a year, even after I went back to work. I had the same issues with my son. My nipples were really sore (cracked and bleeding at times). When you nurse I would start with a different side each time to keep them producing the same amount of milk. I used the shells also, they will help you heal. After about the 6 or 7 week mine got better and they got use to all the sucking, so don't give up hope, it will get better. I had no problems at all after 2 months and I would do it all over again!
I didn't save milk if it leaked but I guess you could as long as you keep the shells really clean. Good luck and don't give up, it will start getting better!

Hi KK

FROM: D. L

My advise to you is that you need to try and massage the inverted nipple, that is, by using baby oil on the nipple, try to put it between the thumb and the index and try to bring it up. Continue to nurse the baby. I have three children and they all nurse up to 6 months. They stopped themselves.

With the sore nipples I would like to recommend using Forever Multi-Maca. Feel free to go to the website

www.foreverliving.com

Sore nipples mean the latch is bad. Keep popping him off until he latches right. Also you can try to pull his lips out to make the attachment better when he has latched.

A good latch does not hurt- and baby's lips should be round and puckered.

My Shanny has often latched wrong on a side causing cracked nipples- I just rest the side until it is not sore to the touch (usually 4-8 hours)then I try to nurse her on it when she is too tired to latch wrong.

Since it hurts so bad when he sucks on ur nipples, why don't you just get a breast pump then pump & feed him through a bottle?

I used a nipple shield with my first son. He had a hard time latching on and sucking. The latching he did fine with but for some reason he wouldn't suck. We did the nipple shield and it helped my sore nipples tremendously and i started to ween him off the shield by letting him latch on to the first side with the shield then switching sides and not putting the shield on. He had no issues with no shield. The lanolin cream is perfectly fine to put on your nipples and will help it wont harm him. Also try to let your nipples air dry before putting on the shells. Initial breast feeding hurts no matter who you are. I was sore the first time til probably almost 2 months, the second time it was 3-4 weeks.
I used to leak on the side that he wasn't sucking on alot too so I used to prop an open bottle under it to catch the milk, I could get any where from 1/2 an oz to 3 oz. whatever i caught i would freeze, you didn't have to pump it and you can use it when ever you start bottle feeding. Good luck!

Could you call the hospital where you delivered and ask to see if they have a lactation consultant that you can make an appt to go see?

Congrats on the new baby and sorry you're having BF issues. I nursed my first for 21 months and rarely had an issue, my second is 6 months old and I'm constantly having small problems. Including toe curling pain in the first few weeks when he latched on. It will get better, just keep at it and your nipples will get used to it and it won't be so painful. Put Lansinoh on after every feeding. Also you can buy Gerber brand gel packs at Target. Put them in the freezer and they are nice and cool, you can also use them if you get a clogged duct by heating them in the microwave- they've been a lifesaver for me because I am constantly getting clogged ducts. You definitely need to switch sides you start on or the side you're always using 2nd will start to lower it's production, there is PLENTY of milk there if you're leaking. I am not a leaker and I can pump for 20 minutes and there is still enough milk left to nurse my baby if I have to. Definitely collect your milk throughout the day and store in the fridge, the milk can stay in the fridge for a few days and when you have enough, switch it to the freezer. You can never have enough frozen milk- it's liquid gold.

While I certainly don't know the answers to all your questions, I did have problems in the beginning with nursing my 2 kids (now 21 months and 4.5 months) as well. My left side is somewhat flatter than my right, so I too felt like I had more latch issues on the left. I also think the anatomy adds to it being more painful. I did have to use a nipple shield on the left side for a while, and I felt anxious about the supply but eventually they get the hang of it. You might want to start on the left side with the sheild to help your baby pull it out and then try taking it off after a few minutes and continue on that side.
As for the pain, hang in there, I know its terrible. Be sure that you don't have a nipple yeast infection. I had a c-section both times so the antibiotics given wipes out my natural defenses and I've developed a yeast infection both times. This pain is different than "normal" nipple pain and my shoots through the breat into the back. Otherwise I HIGHLY recommend to all those nursing mothers with sensitive skin/nipples "Mother Love Nipple Cream". I am allergic to lanolin, so I sought other options and this stuff is great. Even after months of normal nursing, I still use quite a bit since my nipples get chapped if I don't. Its not as goopy as lanolin and is completely safe for baby (similar to a sheer vasoline). I've also read for bad cases to use a little of hydrocortizone cream to heal cracked nipples. I know its terriblely hard, but I always advise to give nursing 6 weeks before deciding whether to continue or not. I know it seems like a LONG time when you are in pain, but something changes - baby catches on better, gets older and the 2 of you seem to get into a better groove. GOOD LUCK!