What helped you when you were sore during bf?

[babycarmen]

Hi there, firstly, sorry if theres already a thread on this i did have a quick look.

Im pregnant with DC2 and really determined to make a success of bf this time. With DD i gave up on day 3 due to not having a clue what i was doing, lack of support and my nipples feeling like they were on fire.

Im sure i will manage better this time as im so determined and im going to make sure i have support in place but is there any tips you have on how to get through the first week or so? And what helps sore nipples?? Any advice will be appreciated, want to make sure im prepared this time!
Thanks :)

The best help is not to let them get sore in the first place, this requires a good latch. At the first sign of any sore ness keep niples moist (doesn't matter what you use vasline works well) and seek help with latch ASAP you really shouldn't be sore at all.

Make sure you have the BF helpline no's on hand from the word go, BfM, NCT and LLL. Go to your local BF group BEFORE your baby arrives and have a chat with them to.

Lansinoh nipple cream was my saviour for sore nipples! Find out where your breastfeeding support group is and go along before you have baby they will be able to give you advice and support etc! Good luck I found at ten days we had mastered it but it wad sore and uncomfortable in the first week to ten days, stick with it it is so worth it!

I found with both DCs that I had a lot of nipple soreness as my milk came in (I second Lansinoh cream too) and also during the letdown (for me the first 30 seconds of each feed) for the first 10 days to 2 weeks. With DC2 I knew it would pass and that was enough to get me through it. She is a much lazier latch than DS, though, so what MigGril says is spot on about making sure the latch is good. (I've used a different hold on one side for her which has been helping a lot to make sure that she's 'breast-feeding' rather than 'nipple-feeding', IYSWIM?)

I also found a local private lactation consultant for DC2 as unfortunately the local NHS support is very patchy. I've got her 'on stand-by' in case I desperately needed RL support, rather than just helplines. I haven't needed her so far but it's been a real confidence boost to know that there's someone I can call on if needed.

Oh - also the kellymom website has really good suggestions for how to deal with BFing problems like sore nipples etc. Here

If your nipples are sore/cracked/ridged/look like minced meat and your MW still says your latch is fine....ignore her and and ask someone else.

Taking lots of notes! Thanks everyone, i think the main problem with DD was i couldnt get the latch right, was perfect the first day then i just couldnt get it back, i couldnt get her to open wide enough i think :/

Will be investing in lansinoh..heard lots of good things about it!

Only thing that saved mine was Tongue tie snip at 7weeks old and then antibiotics for an infected nipple crack. Getting the latch right is essential. Nipple shields also really helped when it was really bad but bear in mind that they can affect milk supply so use with support of bf professional.

Good advice about going to local support group before the birth. You will then have the help from the beginning.

Paracetamol helped take the edge off the pain when my nipples were raw and bleeding. Getting help with the latch improved things no end but still took about 2 weeks for nipples to heal completely. In retrospect I should've gone for help at the first sign of trouble rather than ploughing on by myself. Loved breastfeeding once it became pain free so glad I stuck with it.

Our local surestart centre (that also has midwifery there) gives out sachets of lansinoh so you can try before you buy. Definitely find a local BF support group or similar, it is really worth it to find other mums and trained workers to advise you if you do run into problems.