Nipple Pain

You have a lot of good advice already, but I'll add my 2 cents... My nipples were flat when I started breastfeeding, and drawing them out via feeding and pumping had me in pain for several weeks. It was enough pain to give up, but I was so determined. Dont give up unless you've tried everything (including a visit to the doc and/or lactation consultant!) Breast shields, a bag of frozen peas, warm compresses, lanolin and even cabbage leaves (look it up!) are all options before throwing in the towel. It WILL get better, so do not give up!!! Im rooting for you! =)

Has anyone suggested a nipple shield yet? I used these for the first six months and they were a lifesaver! The lactation consultant in the hospital first gave me one, you can get them at most Targets and Babies R Us in the breastfeeding section. They help the baby latch on and help pull your nipple out if you have flat nipples, also help if your breasts are sore. If you have constant, intense pain it could be thrush (yeast infection) I also had that, so check with your OB and if you have a lactation consultant in your area, it's DEFINITELY worth it to make a visit, they are experts and can tell you everything you need to know. Good luck and don't give up!!

DO NOT STOP breastfeeding! She is only two weeks old. It takes a while for breasts to get used to feeding. Mine were sore for a couple of weeks with both kids, then after they acclimated to the feeding cycles the pain subsided. Take tylenol or try warm cloths or even cold cloths that have been in the fridge/freezer. I warn all of my first time mommy friends about the breastfeeding pain. This too shall pass. To give up breastfeeding would be a disservice to your child. Every doctor in the world agrees that breastfeeding is best. If you don't breastfeed, you are not doing your best for your child. My son will be 9 months old...he is still breastfed. He has 8 teeth and is still breastfed! Don't worry, girl. I'm a working mom as well. It can be done!

If you want to nurse her stop giving her the bottle. She will have to learn to work the boob. My oldest daughter refused my right breast the first two weeks, and I only nursed on the left side to appease her. Finally my right breast hurt so bad that I knew she would have to start taking it. I pumped it just a few minutes to relieve some pressure and "get it going". Then we sat down and she cried while I waited it out. She got hungry enough that she did eventually latch on and we got to going. I had to pump it before offering it for a few days and then I stopped doing that. It ended up being her "favorite" one by the time our nursing days were over. (she was 3 years old at weaning time). The bottle is only going to confuse your baby. It will get hungry enough to nurse and it just has to learn how to do it. Nursing is not easy, the first few weeks can be brutal. But if you stick to it you will be glad.

Buy some vitamin E gel caps, cut them open and rub the gel on your nipples.

You may have an infection. I nursed 3 kids for over a year each and never had nipple pain. I am currently trying to get my credentials as a lactation consultant, and your best bet is to call the local La Leche League or your Delivery hospital should have some resources for you. Definitely get to a Dr to make sure it is not an infection.

Sounds like you have clogged milk duct. Take a warm shower and slide your hand over the painful spot and express milk out of that breat. Keep emptying out that breast to unclog that breast. Position the breast pump so it is not pressing down on that duct.

Don't give up. Breast feeding is beast for your baby, and helps you get skinny, and helps prevent breast cancer.

If you get a fever, contact a doctor immeadiately for antibiotics. This means the clogged breast duct has become infected. A breast infection is horrible.

Hey E..
Please dont stop!
Your nipple pain can be a few different things...
A)not used to nursing
B)if she isnt latching on correctly that can also cause pain
C)you may have a cracked nipple

Is the nipple pain the actual "tip" of the nipple or the whole aerola?
try putting lasinoh on your nipples before and after pumping everytime.
Is your nipple bright red and looks cracked on one side?
Also your pump be set on to high of setting...
I would love to help you more
please email me at
____@____.com

I am a Certified BF Educator and nursing mother myself...

J.

Have patience as nursing is new to your baby, too and she will get better with practice. The nipple pain will ease. Just continue to pump the sore side. Once I had a sort of blockage that my doctor told me will sometimes happen and make the nipple sore. She said the best thing for it was nursing or pumping. I pumped on that side for a while and kept my nipples cleaned and softened with a special lotion. PLease ahve patience and know that breastfeeding is the best thing in the world for your baby. Too many "western" women give in too soon.

You can succefully pump at work. I did. Then my milk began to shut down at work and pick up again after work. It was very strange.

I guess first check with your doctor to make sure you don't have yeast or anything like that-- I had it once and it really hurt but they can clear it right up. My nipples also used to get so sore when I first started breastfeeding. For my baby shower, someone had given me some disposable Playtex gel pads -- I know they have them at Target -- and they really helped. I put them on after nursing and wore them until he was ready to nurse again. They have a cooling effect, which was very comforting, and also prevented my shirt or nursing bra from rubbing my already sore nipples.

Also, I had a tube of Lansinoh Lanolin (it is in the breastfeeding supply section at the store) and put it on them after each time I nursed and it helped as well. Hope it helps. I really loved being able to nurse my son and hope it works out for you but don't feel bad if it doesn't.

Contact your local La Leche League and a volunteer will come right to your house. Also, do some looking around online by googling "nursing sore nipples" and things like that. Visit the llli.org forums. Once you figure it out, you'll be totally fine! Also, have someone pick up some Lansinoh for you.

Going back to work is so hard - to leave your baby. Breastfeeding is a wonderful way to remain close and bonded. Keep up the great work! You'll do splendidly!

L.

Did you nurse your son? The best thing I know for nipple pain is Lancinoh (spelling?). You should put it on after each time you pump. You do not need to wash it off, it is safe for the baby. If the pain is internal and not on the nipple, I suggest either seeing your doctor or a lactation specialist. You could have an infection or some other problem.

Hi E.,
as far as your baby only latching on one side, my daughter did the same thing and it turns out she likes to be laying on her right side better, so if I put her in the "football hold" when i'm nursing on the right side she will latch on great. I had HORRIBLE nipple pain also in the beginning but I promise give it a little more time and it will go away. I bled and bled and my left nipple even ripped about 1/4 of the way off! But after about 2 weeks of breastfeeding I had no pain at all anymore. One last thing, I'm sure this may vary from person to person, but with my first child I never could get her to latch on (didn't have good breastfeeding support from the beginning) so all I did was pump. I've heard from my doctor and read up on it, and have found unfortunately pumping does not stimulate you the same way the actual baby does and you will dry up. I discovered this with my first when I dried up after 2 1/2 months. If you are pretty set on breastfeeding it may be at your advantage to see a lactation consultant to get the baby to latch on properly before she is too dependent on the bottle. This is just my personal opinion, but I hope maybe this helps you a little!
-M.

Are you sure you don't have a blocked milk duct? I got this several times and it was very painful. I would notice the pain first and then I could feel a knot. I pumped also and my doctor said whatever you do, don't stop pumping. If you do have a blocked milk duct pumping will help it open back up even though it is soooo painful. My doctor also suggested that I stand in a very warm shower and let the water spray directly on my nipple, which was still a little painful. Also massaging the knot throughout the day helped. After about 2-3 days the knot was gone. I hope this helps. I understand your frustration, I pumped for a year and this happened to me whenever I put off pumping for too long. I just made sure I pumped on a regular schedule and that usually kept it from happening. Don't give up. You didn't say if you've told your OB/GYN about your problem, but if you haven't I would start there. Good luck!!

Nipple pain is NOT normal. If you are only pumping, then you may want to check the size of the flange to be sure it is big enough. You may also have developed thrush or you may have something else going on. It would be a very good idea to see a lactation consultant. Although many experience pain while breastfeeding...it is a sign that something is wrong, and you don't have to just tough it out.

Hi E.~ I've read the posts and you got lots of good information...it could be a number of those things. I agree with the majority - DON'T GIVE UP!!! You will get through this hun, your precious baby is only 2 weeks old. Do me a favor and call a La Leche League leader, talk with them, these ladies will help you through this! Here are your La Leche League Leaders in the Baton Rouge area, you can call and talk to any one of them:
Anne ###-###-####
Laura ###-###-####
Karen ###-###-####
Jackie (e-mail) ____@____.com

You are still recovering from giving birth, adjusting to a new baby, adjusting to now having 2 children instead of one, you are surely exhausted, stressed out, and sore! You are going through many changes - - - we've been there and you will make it, don't try to do it all on your own, ask for help when you need it, you posted here which is a great start. Now quit reading this pick up the phone and call one of those LLL leaders they can help! Good Luck! Hang in there! *HUGS* Oh, FYI the Le Leche League website for our area is: www.lllalmsla.org and www.kellymom.com are excellent websites for nursing moms :o)

I had nipple pain the first couple of weeks I nursed. I hear it is normal. Mine even cracked and bled some. The best thing I found was to squeeze a little of your milk out and rub it all over the nipple and air dry. It really did help me. Keep trying to nurse on both sides. It does get easier. Congratulations and best of luck! T.