Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want to cry my heart out at...

34 replies

InTheNightGarden · 04/02/2013 02:38

Having such STUPIDLY sore nips!!!

Only had my baby Saturday so milks not even properly come in yet but my god they are sooo sore and almost look blistered after I feed!

Soo close to just giving up but Id feel like a failure if I did!

Totally don't know what to do and the midwife at the hosp seemed to think "attachment and position" were perfect....so why does it sting so much and why are they so bloody sore :(

OUCHHHHHHHHHHH :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

OP posts:
SpringFlowers · 04/02/2013 02:44

I'm not an expert but can definitely sympathise. Try posting in the feeding section as you will get proper advice there. Your baby might have a tongue tie which would cause pain irrespective of position and latch. Have you been checked for that? Breastfeeding is hard work at the beginning but gets easier with time. Nipple shields can give temporary respite and lanisoh is a miracle for helping heal poorly nipples.

WhatKatyDidnt · 04/02/2013 02:45

Oh OP, I feel for you!! Have you tried Lansinoh? If not, please send someone out to get you some! Really helped me when I felt exactly as you do and after a few days bf was pain free.

Jojobump1986 · 04/02/2013 02:48

It's not a test, therefore you can't fail! Wink Try warm compresses, lanolin cream, nipple guards if it doesn't get better. It may just be that they're not used to being pulled around at all & need a little time to adjust! There are places you can contact for help if you're not sure the attachment is right - ask the midwife about local support groups. Don't let it become such a huge issue that it spoils your first few days with your baby. Smile

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/02/2013 02:49

Nipple cream, nipple shields and a constitution of iron. That's what got me through the first few weeks. Then, on the other side of that was easy, lovely BFing with a happy baby, no bottles to sterilise, no money for formula, no thinking to do as I left the house.

It was shitting agony though for the first bit.

scratchandsniff · 04/02/2013 02:57

I know exactly how you feel. Had DS in October and also ended up with cracked bleeding nipples. I was in tears with every feed and felt bloody miserable. Came very close to giving up, but Everyone said it would get better so I set myself little targets like '2 more days' etc and kept using lansinoh. Lo and behold one day I fed it didn't hurt quite so much and it did get better. You're nips get used to it and toughen up. I'm still breasfeeding now and plan to until he's properly on solids. A good latch is crucial and so much harder to get right than I ever imagined. Persevere for a bit longer if you can bear it, but also don't feel guilty if you feel you can't continue. Good luck!

feministefatale · 04/02/2013 03:05

It will get easier.

Post this in terms feeding section for proper advice.

And congratulations on on your little ball of smoosh Grin

SquinkiesRule · 04/02/2013 03:40

I did Lamaze breathing though every feed for ages. Then it all fell into place, Ds 1 wasn't latching properly and it took La Leche league to show me what he needed to do.
Good luck it does get better.

elvislives2012 · 04/02/2013 03:51

Hi. Sorry you're in so much pain Hmm. Definitely get LO checked for tongue tie ASAP by a lactation consultant (eg from NCT) as midwives not so good at it as tt can be responsible for pain. Can u call la leche league or NCT helplines, both of which are 24 hours? They should help. It really does get better. My DD is 15 weeks and am still doing it- I didn't think I would!
Take it one feed at a time and use lots of lanolin! Try to get this moved to the breast and bottle feeding forum as there are experts on it and they were invaluable to me. Good luck!

MadamGazelleIsMyMum · 04/02/2013 03:58

Nips adjust - mine were super sensitive and the first few days were super hard and painful, but it gradually got less painful / nips adjusted to the pain and it was ok. Worth getting checked out as suggested above, but also sometimes I think it just hurts to start off with!

BuntyCollocks · 04/02/2013 04:00

Echoing advice about checking for tongue tie. Google exaggerated latch as well. It's so tough - no one warns you. I'm sat here feeding my 5 week old and it's been a shit, rough journey, but we're almost on the other side. Good luck.

Also, as I've been told - if it looks right, but feels wrong, it's not right!

SilverSixpence · 04/02/2013 05:13

I'm just a few da

SilverSixpence · 04/02/2013 05:17

I'm just a few days further along the road. I was in agony, nipples bleeding with every feed. Posted on here and some lovely mumsnetters suggested tongue tie. I did some reading and checked dd myself before taking her to a bf clinic where it was confirmed. I got it snipped the next day and we are now nearly pain free after only 2-3 days!

SilverSixpence · 04/02/2013 05:18

Definitely use nipple shields, they helped me get through the worst of the pain and let my nipples heal a bit.

FadBook · 04/02/2013 05:42

Have you taken painkillers?? New mums always forget that part. You can take paracetamol and ibruprofen, it'll take the edge off the pain.

Def get checked for TT

Def get yourself down a BF cafe to drink tea and get some RL support

Also remember, only one poor latch can do a lot of damage, so get correct positioning and latch each time. Take your time and if it doesn't feel right, take DC off and start again.

And finally, YADNBU to cry. Cry away! It fuckin hurts when nipples are like that but it does and can get better. The BF Boards may help but RL support is important in the early days.

Arachnophobe · 04/02/2013 05:53

Good Luck and well done it really will get easier I agree all advice above re:tongue tie/positioning/take painkillers etc. Nipple shields helped me when they were in a bad way and letting the air to them in between. Nine months later I only bf during night now as he has six teeth wince

BlameItOnTheBogey · 04/02/2013 06:06

Jelonet is your friend. Go to the chemist, buy some. After each feed, cut a piece to size and place it on your nipple with some nipple cream. Take it off again before next feed. My amazing midwife recommended this and I wonder whey everyone doesn't know about it. It literally saved my breast feeding relationship.

Goo luck.

BlameItOnTheBogey · 04/02/2013 06:07

This is what I mean. YOu can buy it in boots.

ScillyCow · 04/02/2013 06:45

could be thrush.

Canasten on my nipples, washed off before every feed, sorted me out.

MerryCouthyMows · 04/02/2013 06:55

Get your baby checked for tongue tie. NOT by a midwife or HV, they may well miss it if it is a posterior tongue tie.

As soon as I read your OP, it took me back to the early days trying to feed DS2, and then DS3.

I had DD and DS1 to compare it to, so I KNEW it wasn't right.

Fairypants · 04/02/2013 06:56

I remember it being very painful for the first few days and I really had to steel myself before every feed. It came as a surprise because nct and mw were so keen to encourage bfing that they forgot to mention the pain. It does go in a few days, it just takes a while for your nipples to get used to it.
It is normal to hurt in the early days but does get better.

fuzzypicklehead · 04/02/2013 07:22

It will also improve when your milk is in proper flow. During the early days, babies just suckle forever to get the colostrum and stimulate flow. Once your milk is in:

--baby is full up in a much shorter time, so your boobs get a rest.
--you get a nice rush of happy hormones during letdown that eases the pain.

Cold cabbage leaves were quite helpful then too.

JollyRedGiant · 04/02/2013 07:25

kellymom.com/ this website is amazing.

If you have a local NCT or La Leche League they will likely be more knowledgeable about BFing than a lot of midwives.

Remember, it gets better.

JollyRedGiant · 04/02/2013 07:27

Do not use nipple shields this early on unless you are advised to do so by someone knowledgeable who has observed you feeding.

nillynoon · 04/02/2013 08:20

Lansing, lots of it. Jelonet or mam nipple pads. Let the air get to your nipples and rub breastmilk in to them after a feed. Search YouTube for 'the flipple' or exaggerated latch, that technique saved my nipples!

McNewPants2013 · 04/02/2013 08:30

Congratulation on the birth Thanks

Take it easy on yourself breast feeding is best but your emotional well being is more important.

It may get better but if you make the decision to bottle feed, then in no way you are a failure.

Swipe left for the next trending thread