Breast feeding - bleeding nipples help!

[Lozzer79]

I'm in need of some help. I gave birth to beautiful Matilda on Tuesday morning. I started to breast feed straight away but due to her latching on incorrectly the 1st day on both nipples, they cracked and have got progressively worse despite her now doing it right.

They are both unbelievably painful and bleeding now. My milk is slowly coming in, I have tried expressing but not much milk comes out & feeding is just too painful. I have decided to formula feed for 24 hrs to give the boobs a rest. Do you think this is the right thing to do? I really want to crack breast feeding but just want to do what's best for me & Matilda.

Any advice would be gratefully received x

i've always pushed through it tbh - it's quite normal for breasts to react in this way, and they get used to the feeding very quickly. you can express a tiny bit of milk and rub it on the bleeding and sore areas (it might be pink, just to warn you!) or try kamillosan or similar. if it continues past a week or so, then check for yeast infection concerns. leave your top off and walk around nekkid too.

no-one tells you that breastfeeding can hurt like hell at first. but it gets waaaaay easier and is absolutely the best option once the initial trauma heals. x

(i also used to worry about the dead scabby bits of skin that fell off during the healing process, but they didn't seem to affect the dc's either... sorry to be macabre)

and congratualtions!

I used Lansinoh and found it absolutely brilliant. Not feeding for 24 hours would not be good for your supply at this critical time, you really need to try and get through it if you can. Sympathies, I know how much it hurts! Good luck and congratulations :)

I agree that not feeding for 24 hours at this early stage could lead to supply problems, so if you do decide to go with formula then make sure you express every 2-3 hours around the clock to make sure your body still gets the signals to produce milk.

I also used a nipple shield which was fantastic - I'm not sure I'd have managed to keep breastfeeding without it. I was warned to use it sparingly because it can affect supply, but I used for several weeks (less and less as the weeks went on) and I've had no problems - my DD is still exclusively BF at 5 months.

A site I found that has loads of helpful BF advice was kellymom.com - the page about nipple soreness etc is www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mom/bfhelp-mother.html#sorenipples

It might be hard to believe but BF gets SOOOOO much easier, so stick with it if you can, and good luck.

Congratulations

Lansinoh cream is a god send. My midwife kept samples in her notebook for new mums so yours may have some if you dont already.

The first week of breastfeeding can be very sore even if you dont have any other problems as your nipples, you and baby get used to it. I wouldnt recommend giving formula but if you do it use a cup not a bottle or shell get used to the bottle and not take the breast. When your milk comes in it can be very uncomftable too BUT it does settle down and get lots better. Babies are born with quite a bit of extra fat to keep them going so don't be too worried about not being able to feed alot at first she'll be fine.

Its all very new to you, stressful, tiring and emotional you'll be fine take it one step at a time and follow your instincts.

Yes, Lansinoh is brilliant - please, please don't go to formula, this time is critical for establishing your supply and it will drop off very quickly if you don't feed as much as you can. Remember you can take paracetemol for the pain as well. It will settle down and become painless.

Also, just a quick thing - we don't use real names for babies on MN so that they can't be identified. She is your DD!

Congratulations on the birth of matilda! With my first, packing the Lansinoh cream was more important than remembering the nappies. I used it all the time for the first few weeks. Definitely don't stop feeding. Try calling the la leche league or nct to speak to a breast feeding counsellor. Or ask your midwife to check how Matilda is latching on.

It will get better-I have now fed three babies and it was never like those first couple of weeks in terms of soreness.
One thing-when you're actually feeding, is it toe curlingly sore when Matilda latches on and starts feeding and then gets better? If so, it's more likely the latch is okay. Even when I had sore nipples, it was kind of a relief to feed as it made it better. If not, speak to someone sooner rather than later.
This will pass . Don't think that because you're this sore now that it will carry on when feeding is established.
But Lansinoh is your friend...no best friend! It comes in a purple tube and really, really do get some (I don't work for them!)

I would say don't let your nipples get too sore as led me to get ulcer and mastitis!!! Read Clare Byam Cook's book for excellent breastfeeding advice. Nipple shields were big help, and ultimately resting a very sore nipple by expressing for few days. Due to have my 3rd soon and already ordered shields to pack in hospital bag incase this happens again. Good luck, even if it feels impossibly difficult at first you can get through it - I managed 8 and 7 months in the end despite huge problems at first!

another vote for Lansinoh - send your OH out to an all night chemist - now!

Don't let it put you off though. Good luck.

How's it going, Lozzer? Any better?