OUCH!!!

[Alicetheinvisible]

Please help! DS is now 2 days old, had an elcs, has been feeding quite well i thought. Now i am in agony everytime he feeds. I know the latch isn't perfect, but we are working on it. he has been a happy contented little thing, now seems to want to feed constantly but it hurts way more than my scar does and he keeps stopping. What can i do?

Alice, you need to get your latch sorted. The initial latch does hurt but only for about the count of 10 then it should be painfree. Can your get you MW to check your latch? When is she next visitng? Also have a look at Kellymom this has lots of latch resources if you can't get anyone to help today.

Also it is perfectly normal for him to want to feed alot - his tummy is only walnut sized and so will empty and need filling alot more regularly. The more he feed the more he will stimulate your milk supply to increase, especially if your milk has not come in yet.

Ring the buzzer every time he wants to feed if you have to - especially if you're recovering from a CS you need as much help as possible to get this sorted, you don't need any extra pain!

Where abouts is it hurting? IE, is it in one direction / part of the nipple, or all over?

Sorry Alice, I assumed you were home.

Sorry, yes i am home. It is very sharp shooting pains in my nipple every time he sucks, gets better with continual sucking but as soon as he stops then starts again, without breaking the seal it is agony again.

Sorry, you said two days, I presumed you'd be in hospital that soon after a CS

When is the midwife due out to see you?

Because it was an elcs and my second they were happy if i was, which i was!

MW is due out today, but they can't give me a time. DH is out getting me nipple cream and i am thinking of sending him out to get nipple shields too.

Have just managed a feed, with lots of biting of my lip and swearing under my breath. DS is now full though, just unsure how long i can take the needles through the nipples feeling pain is mostly at the top outside of nipples.

Avoid nipple sheilds if you can as they will possibly just make things worse.

Call the community midwifes and ask them to come out to you as soon as possible.

Lanshinoh is the nipple cream to go for!

Can you try moving him slightly towards the painful area? This sometimes helps, in case the latch is slightly off center.

Remember the first few days are always a bit painful, but you need to get someone to see you as soon as possible.

Agree with Boobs on the nipple shields, get more help with the latch, and use nipple cream.

Them nipples will soon toughen up

Thanks all.

MW has been, she thinks it is suddenly got bad due to milk coming in. Have found that sucking really hard on a malteser while he latches on has helped actually to distract me! Got through one treat size bag the first feed but only half the next one, so if i can just see myself through one feed at at a time and think of the maltesers!!

DH picked me some natural balm and it has really helped.

hiya Alice
sorry to hear you're having trouble feeding (join the club!). did the midwife check for signs of thrush? hope it all becomes pain-free soon xx

Alice I lived through the first few days by biting into a marshmellow every time he latched

I hope it settles down soon - keep going. Remember its okay to ask them to come and visit you any time you need.