I think this is all normal, but it's been a while...

[WhatTheHellDoWeCallThisBaby]

Just looking for advice from any experts really.

Three day old baby, milk has come in now. She's feeding brilliantly and not lost any birth weight so far, but my nipples are very sore when she first latches on. One has a tiny split which has bled slightly but otherwise they both look healthy and fine. I've been using plenty of Lansinoh since the very start. The pain eases once she's taken a few sucks, and there's no pain afterwards so definitely not thrush or anything similar. But the latching-on pain is absolutely breath-taking and toe-curling for about 10-20 seconds.

I fed my son for over two years and feel confident about feeding positions and all that. I'm making sure she gets a decent mouthful of boob, but she's tiny and my nipples aren't (!) so it is mostly nipple in her mouth really. My memories from after my son was born are a bit fuzzy so I don't know for sure if this is how it was then too.

All sound normal-ish? I've expressed a few oz from the split side since this morning and she's happily accepted it from a bottle, and equally happily gone back to the (other) boob again, so I'll be alternating till the split heals up. Any other suggestions? Thanks.

[BadPenny]

Congrats on the new DD! What you're doing so far sounds good, and I'm sure time will heal etc.

I would say, try breast compressions when you feed as this can speed up the feeding and that may make it more comfortable. Jack Newman has an info sheet on this that you can google.

Another thing that can make a difference with a really little one is holding her very close to your body during feeds so that she doesn't slip off at all during the feed. Also, make sure you have the latch asymmetrical (start nose to nipple - it can feel like her mouth is far away but this little adjustment can make a big difference) - most likely you're doing this anyway.

Can you get to a bf group / cafe so an experienced helper can observe a feed and make suggestions / give reassurance?

[feekerry]

congrats!!
by no way an expert but fed/feeding couple of babies!
i would say excruciating pain/bleeding is an indication something may not be right... did this happen with first dc??'maybe she is slipping off to the nipple? checked (by someone decent) for tt???x

[feekerry]

congrats!!
by no way an expert but fed/feeding couple of babies!
i would say excruciating pain/bleeding is an indication something may not be right... did this happen with first dc??'maybe she is slipping off to the nipple? checked (by someone decent) for tt???x

[feekerry]

congrats!!
by no way an expert but fed/feeding couple of babies!
i would say excruciating pain/bleeding is an indication something may not be right... did this happen with first dc??'maybe she is slipping off to the nipple? checked (by someone decent) for tt???x

[feekerry]

congrats!!
by no way an expert but fed/feeding couple of babies!
i would say excruciating pain/bleeding is an indication something may not be right... did this happen with first dc??'maybe she is slipping off to the nipple? checked (by someone decent) for tt???x

[magicalmrmistofelees]

Limited experience (one DD) but sounds normal to me! I had toe curling pain for the first 10-20 seconds for the first couple of weeks and it gradually eased off. Saw loads of MW's, HV's and a lactation consultant who said latch was fine. Congratulations on your baby!

[feekerry]

god i cannot use this new layout! sorry

[Kewrious]

Yeah sounds normal. IIRC the toe curling pain lasted for 2 weeks or so and then my nipples toughened up. Also had a small baby 5lbs 5oz and big nipples. Congratulations and enjoy your snuggles xx

[Philippalc]

Pain is not normal when breastfeeding, but a mismatch between the size of nipple and a little mouth can make it hard to get a pain free latch at first. You could check out Why Does Breastfeeding Hurt for more ideas and keep encouraging a big wide gape the moment before latching. If it doesn't improve soon, an IBCLC lactation consultant will help you with positioning to get more comfortable.

[WhatTheHellDoWeCallThisBaby]

Hi all, thanks for the encouraging words! Things are looking up today - we tried the rugby ball hold and it seems easier for now. I haven't had to resort to expressing at all, which is great. It helps that she's feeding for longer each time, so I decided she should drain one side at a time, which gives each side quite a decent long recovery break between feeds. Thanks again!

[hubbahubster]

IME the stuff about bf not hurting is balls. My DD latches and feeds beautifully but it bloody hurt at the start of a feed in the early days, so what you've said sounds normal. Lansinoh like mad!

[museumum]

My experience was that my nipples hurt for about a week or two, I had stopped using lansinoh by three weeks. If it gets worse I'd see somebody but right now it seems within the bounds of normal.

I used a position with ds upright against me rather than across. It stopped him slipping down.

If in any doubt, bf meet ups or drop-in clinics can be really useful, that's where I learned that hold which I wouldn't have tried otherwise.