Future Breatfeeding query............................

[biglips]

i love to try it with my (future) 2nd baby as i only managed 2 days with my 1st as i ended up with brown crusty bits over my nipples as DD was sucking so hard and was so hungry.... but whats didnt help was ive got sensitive nipples.... if i have my 2nd baby will my nipples go more solid and not sensitive? (they are still very pink, sensitive but slighty darker now before i got pg)

[bramblina]

My nipples were quite sensitive pre-pregnancy and after the first couple of days of bf the pain really set in. Ds's latch was fine though so I think it was just down to me & my nipples! I put Lansinoh on after every feed whether I thought I needed it or not, and they never dried or cracked, they were simply sore from the unusual use they were getting. I really think that prevented a lot of common problems. I definitely saw the point where a lot of people would give up but was so adamant that I wouldn't, I saw it through and am still at it at 10 months. My nipples now withstand anything IYSWIM!
A few people said to me during my pregnancy give them a good rub with a towel after every shower to prepare them, or get hour DH on them! But I didn't. I let nature take it's course!
Good luck, it really is worth the pain. HTH

[NotQuiteCockney]

Hmm, brown crusty bits sounds like there might have been a problem with latch? Did you get checked by a breastfeeding counsellor?

I found the first few weeks of bf hard, with both kids, but nipples are much more sensitive in pregnancy than afterwards, iyswim. Mine were unbearably sensitive in early pregnancy, but bf was still fine.

I don't think sensitive nipples would cause brown crusty bits on nipples, though.

[tiktok]

Some people do have more sensitive nipples than others, but your nipples were damaged - this means the skin has been broken by the baby compressing the nipple between his tongue and the roof of his mouth. You need to ask for help with getting him attached, and looking at how to do this yourself in books and online will help prepare you - good luck :)

[biglips]

thanks everyone for your advice

DD was latched on properly as i had help from the midwives but was not successful

will look into it more this time

[kiskidee]

most midwives seem to have little or no bf training, unfortunately. which is why so often women on here advise contacting a bf counsellor at one of the bf charities.

[tiktok]

biglips, there is a lot we don't know about nipple soreness and sensitivity, but with nipples that are physically damaged in just 2 days, there has to have been a problem with the way the baby was attached - no matter what the midwives told you. It doesn't matter a bit if it 'looks' ok....if it feels sore and you see that sort of damage (especially as early as this which means it can't be something like thrush, or eczema), then it has to be the way the baby has grasped the nipple :(

[bluejelly]

Two midwives and a health visitor told me my latch was fine... got a huge painful blister and nearly gave up after a week. Thankfully got advice from someone who knew how to breastfeed, a lady from la leche league, and ended up breastfeeding for 18 months.
If it doesn't work straight away keep asking for help... good luck

[Gracesmum]

i got blood blisters on the end of one of my nipples when dd was about a week old, midwife thought it was just vigorous sucking. she suggested rubbing breastmilk on the area after each feed, it cleared up within 24 hrs.