Sore Nipples, Painful Latch-on, and One Engorged Breast!!! What Do I Do?

If you nursed your 1st child, you may remember that it takes a good 2-4 weeks before your nipples get 'broken-in' (at least it does for me). Keep the Lansinoh on them and try warm, moist wash-cloths. I was a GREAT milk producer and would also be too engorged for my DD to get a proper latch. Try nursing lying down or in a reclining position - this helps when your milk let's down, it doesn't choke the darling baby. In the beginning, I also hand expressed some milk, just enough to relieve a little pressure, and this helped with the latching on. A little pain now is doing wonders for your little boy. And see if you can get a lactation consultant to visit you. Even if you've done this before, your son hasn't and the nurse may be able to help you teach him. Good luck!

It takes the body/nipple time to get used to breastfeeding. The nipple will 'toughen up' as you go on.
Do NOT use soap when you bathe, on your nipples. Just use warm water. The soap will dry it out, causing more cracking.

Use BOTH breasts at each nursing session. If you are engorged... go in a warm shower and hand express some to alleviate some of the pressure and pain.

This is all normal. Don't worry.

I got sore too, and scabs. It went away. I used Lanolin cream too. The nipples will get more able to handle the usage.

Just make sure your baby is not just sucking on the 'tip' of your nipple....this is what causes pain. If anything, ask a Lactation Consultant to make sure. Latching on should NOT be painful...unless you are engorged. ANd yes, they should have the areola in their mouth, encircling it with their lips.

Yes, if you are engorged and don't relieve the pressure, it will get SOOOOO hard. You HAVE to let out the pressure. You don't want infections or anything, mastitis etc. So PLEASE, if you are in between nursing sessions... just hand express some... it's easy... just squeeze your nipples/breasts with your fingers and let it squirt out.... or have it squirt into a bottle if you don't want to 'waste.' or use a breast-pump if you have one.

Your body will adjust... it's only been 5 days. This is one of the rites of passage that our breasts go through, via breastfeeding. It will get better.

All the best, you're doing good,
Susan

Hey G.,

Congrats on your new baby boy!! Sorry for all the pain,
Listen to all the advise below me its everything I heard when I had the same problems and it works!!! Yes even the cabbage leaves. Also, food for thought literally is to pump in between feeding sessions or after to get the rest of it and store it for later in the freezer!! I was actually pumping every two hours for awhile because my milk came in so much and breastfeeding! (Yes it hurts for awhile but you'll get used to it,cracked nipples heal, just remember your giving your son the greatest advantages in health and development a child can get)

Just found it in my stack of mail, Simi Valley Hospital has a free Breastfeeding support group: ###-###-####

Best of luck!
K.

keep using the ointment dont stop. also you can use lotion before bed to help. if you have a hand pump use it on the engorged side so you dont develope an infection. what i suggest is nursing your baby and then pumping. this will help you a lot with the engorgement and also it will boost your milk supply. good luck and great job with the breast feeding!!!

Oh G. you poor thing!
Ok I first suggest calling a lactation consultant or Le Leche League!! They can help you get a proper latch. There is no need for you to be in pain!
Second... COLD water for your engorged breast! Hot water will make you produce more milk! Hand express to relieve pressure but not too much! You don't want to cause a let-down and fill up more! You can try putting cold cabbage leaves in your bra (I know sounds nuts but they say it helps!)
Third... Send someone to the store for gel pads, you can put them on your nipples between feedings to help them heal, they are also cooling and very soothing.
I had similiar issues when my son was born because my mill came in so fast and also because he only ate for 10 minutes at a time and only on one side.
Try kellymom.com too they have some great advise.

Keep it up. I know how painful it can be in the begining- it won't last as long as you are getting the baby to latch on correctly. I, too have large areolas- and thought the same thing..there is no way the baby can take all of it in his mouth. Here is what helped me: a lacation consultant took my nipple at the out side of the areola and pinched it together with her index finger and thumb. Then you tickle the baby's lips with the tip of the (squished) nipple- when (s)he makes a big boy mouth- really opens up wide- you stuff your whole package waaaay back in his mouth. Specifically this is the visual that helped me: think of your nipple area like a big fat hogie (submarine) sandwich... you think you can't get the whole sandwich in your mouth...so you squish it- and you need to make sure your sandwich is squished in the right direction...if the baby's mouth is up and down- you need to make sure you have squished the sandwich (a little crude)up and down...If his mouth is positioned side to side make sure you have squeezed/ gathered up/ pinched your nipple and areola side to side. Sometimes it even helps to have someone hold the nipple while you put the baby waaay on! You have to put the baby on your boob so far that you think they'll choke (almost impossible because of the way babys are anotomically built).. It really shouldn't hurt. the first two weeks are tough- butyou will get it. It's worth it. Good luck!!! Be sure and let us know how it turned out. I hope you have supportive family!!!

http://www.llli.org/Web/California.html

Find a local LLL leader and call them. I had the same issue (cabbage leaves REALLY helped) but it was due to a WRONG LATCH. I nursed my firstborn for 3 yrs, so you'd think I know what I was doing with a newborn - ha.

If you are lucky, you might be able to find a LLL Leader who can come to your house (FREE of course) to show you the proper latch. Or... you can call a Lactation consultant ($100/hr?) to come over or visit them.

A Mother's Haven in Encino might have someone in the store to help you. Give them a call.
http://www.shopthehaven.com/

The Pump Station in Santa MOnica has BFing videos under Resources.
http://www.pumpstation.com/pumpstation/

GOOD JOB! Keep it up. I am a first time mom and my son is almost 8 weeks old. I have been strictly breastfeeding also. Don't give up! I don't know where you live...I am new to the website so I am not sure if you live near me (I'm in Crestline...a town near Lake Arrowhead) and I know there are lactation consultants that will come to your house for free. Jan Wetsch ###-###-#### extension 3519---is a lactation consultant from Mountains community hospital and she came to my house and my sister in laws. IT was really cool. She helped alot and it was free. Try using the breast pump for the engorged side to relieve some of the pressure. Try using a Nipple shield for the pain and to make latch on easier. They sell them at babies R us for about 4 dollars. I use the nipple shield for every feeding because my nipples don't protrude enough. They say it gets easier for mom and baby. DON'T GIVE UP! It's so good for your baby. It definitely is no joke...it gets very hard at times. YOU CAN DO IT!