Breastfeeding still hurting

[VioletLilies]

My little one is 10 weeks now and it’s been a difficult breastfeeding journey. He struggled to latch for weeks so we used nipple shields and I also got mastitis. He finds one side more difficult but that side still hurts. It gets better for a few days but then I’ll have a few days where I’m in tears when he latches. I use lansinoh and have also tried silver cups.
Is this normal to still hurt so much after this long?? And could it continue like this through our whole feeding journey?

[BuffaloCauliflower]

No, pain after this long isn’t usual and indicates something is wrong. Has he been checked for tongue tie by someone properly qualified to diagnose it? (Most midwives, HVs etc are not)

[Williams3001]

It should definitely not be hurting! If it’s just the one side I’d look at positioning. My LO latches better on my left (though my right is the superboob 🙄) because of how I hold him. I’m hopefully seeing the breastfeeding specialist this week to help me out. Ask your midwife to refer you to your local team, and/or give La Leche League a call to see if they can do a one-on-one. There’s a helpline you can call and some people can get Zoom consultations.

[Nettleskeins]

No, it shouldn't hurt for this long.
Have you had lo checked for tongue tie, or had someone observe how the latch is going?
My baby's latch was only corrected at 10 weeks, when a breastfeeding counsellor watched me feed close up. Baby wasn't opening mouth wide enough, I needed far more cushions under his head and body and my arm to bring him level with nipple. Oh and I should have been making a v shape with my thumb and forefinger to make the nipple the right shape (narrower) before he latched on.
It was a nightmare up till then, I'd been given really bad advice, had bad preconceptions about what demand feeding meant, was exhausted and in pain.
Simply solved by a technical intervention.
Anyway, 20 years ago, but didn't want to read and run, hopefully someone will come along in a moment with further good advice.

[VioletLilies]

I have asked about tongue tie a few times and they never checked but said he was fine! They said just to try rugby ball position instead. I think the nipple is bigger/tougher which doesn’t help. Been meaning to contact breastfeeding support but also feel how will they see the latch over zoom!

[Nettleskeins]

Mine didn't have tongue tie but he was curling his lip INat every feed rather than rolling his lips outward to get a proper mouthful, could you look down whilst feeding to see if this is the case. As he got heavier the angle at which he aimed at the nipple changed, hence need to support his weight so that he was squarely opening his mouth rather than dragging down.
But every feeding pattern between mother and baby is different which is why you need to get a qualified bfng counsellor to observe and advise, even by zoom. Don't give up, or just put up with the pain.

[Twizbe]

@VioletLilies

I have asked about tongue tie a few times and they never checked but said he was fine! They said just to try rugby ball position instead. I think the nipple is bigger/tougher which doesn’t help. Been meaning to contact breastfeeding support but also feel how will they see the latch over zoom!

Do contact the support team. They are there to help you.

You can pre record a film of you feeding or having someone else with you to hold your phone.

Or use the computer so you can feed and not faff around with phones while feeding

[VioletLilies]

Thanks, I’ll call tomorrow to book an appointment. Good to know it shouldn’t last...

[KiriAndLou]

Might be worth getting in touch with an IBCLC. I bet lip or tongue tie.