Almost 4 weeks and still painful

[rolypolybird84]

My question is does it always improve with perseverance?

I feel like we are just doing the same thing over and over again despite LOTS of support from professionals and experienced friends we just don't seem to be able to crack it.



I have had various issues which has resulted in my baby also having expressed milk from bottle for last week and half. I have tried nipple shields but he just sucks them in rather than latches.Become reliant on bottles at night when I just cant face the pain! This is probably part of the problem I know but it's a cycle I can't break.

What do I do? I cannot see what I'm doing differently to advice / youtube videos / leaflets etc and suspect we are just repeatedly doing the same thing wrong. Its getting me down as feeding is not pleasant and he gets very upset as I'm repeatedly taking him off and trying yo get him to re-latch (never with any success.) Have tried various positions but only bearable with cross cradle.Help!

People keep saying it improves but does it really for everybody?

[Tanito279]

I promise it does get better, get easier and get wonderful. But it takes months. Stay strong and keep trying with all the available support. But there is nothing wrong with express feeding or formula. Don't beat yourself up. Your baby wants you to be happy xx

[welovetheolympics]

Yes, I'm pretty sure it will get better. It did for me by 6 weeks both times - after early days of agony and almost hating baby for wanting to feed! With the first I kept counting and congratulating myself on reaching each milestone 4 weeks, 5 weeks and then one day I realised I wasn't doing that anymore! And you do forget those early weeks as it becomes so convenient and simple. I'm sure you have tried it, but lying down for me was the easiest and least painful option. Good luck!

[PunkyBubba]

I second the 6 weeks... It became so much easier both times, and by 2 months I didn't feel a thing...

[5YearsTime]

6 weeks it gets better, then by 12 I felt a lot lot better and at the start I found it excruciating. Now it's lovely and very handy!

[rolypolybird84]

Thank you all. Hopefully in 2 and a bit weeks it will be more manageable! That feels like a long time away...

Will keep going...