Advice on bf newborn please!!

[DuckWaddle]

My dd who is 3weeks old now was bf feeding well. But in the last few days I'm finding it really painful on one side. The nipple isn't cracked or anything. It more feels like it's being vicer pinched! Plus she keeps falling asleep whilst bf and I'm concerned she's using it as a comfort! Any ideas?! Also how do I get her off tge breast if she's asleep?! As soon as I try to move her she clamps on! Oww!

[Pourquoimoi]

To get her off when she's asleep, put a little finger in between her mouth and your nipple, sort of in her mouth if that makes sense? That will break the seal and you'll be able to get her off, only remove your finger when she's clear!

As for the soreness now, have another think about he position of your latch. Have you let it slip a bit and let we on when not enough nipple is in her mouth? That would hurt but it's easy to slip into bad habits when you're more comfortable and not concentrating as hard.

[DuckWaddle]

Excellent- thanks for the tip. It's quote likely that I've let the latch slip as I often find I'm half dozing during her early hour feeds. If I grit my teeth though the pain do you think the pain will go or should I express in that side for a while. I've not expressed yet but I have an electric pump?

[Drladybird]

I'd be wary of expressing until your demand/ supply system has worked itself out. Bf shouldn't hurt so I'd double check the position but also get in touch with breastfeeding network or midwife over the phone or in person to get some support. Looking back on my early days, I wish I'd got in touch with an expert sooner rather than later to avoid unnecessary pain. Good luck!

[Pourquoimoi]

When it's painful, is it only for the first minute or so or for the whole feed? Sometimes I found the first minute hurt then it was fine, after all if it's already sore, it's not like you can give it a week's rest. If the whole feed is sore then I would seek advice from someone who can watch what you're doing an check the latch.
Also use nipple cream after a feed to help it not get more sore.

I too would avoid expressing at this stage, you tend to get less milk out than by feeding and it can be quite soul destroying spending ages to get 60ml of milk.

Let us know how you get on. Take care.

[DuckWaddle]

Thanks for all your suggestions. The pain is throughout the feed but def at its worst at the start. I'll look into getting the latch checked again and thanks for the info on expressing!