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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

One nipple chewed to pieces-help!

46 replies

IceCreamCastles · 22/03/2012 18:50

Breastfeeding ds (11 days).

He had a small Tongue tie snipped on Tuesday but is still making me very sore on one side.

I struggle to get him to open his mouth wide so latching tends to be a bit of a grab and shove affair.

The first few seconds is excruciating, then if he's on well it's ok until near the end of the feed when it feels like he's chewing/pinching etc.

I don't know whether to take him off at this point or not- will he be getting a full feed if I do?

On the positive side, the other side feels much better, he'd gaining weight well, plenty of nappies and he sleeps for a few hours at a time at night and is pretty settled in between feeds.

OP posts:

jkklpu · 22/03/2012 19:03

Do you have any Lansinoh, nipple cream made with lanolin? I't sgreat stuff to help while you sort your latch out. But sounds as though you need good advice on that. Can you go to your nearest NCT breastfeeding clinic?

madaboutmadmen · 22/03/2012 19:07

You have my full sympathy, I'm afraid I can't offer any advice other than to be very wary about nipple shields. Lots of women say they work out ok for them but my supply of milk almost completed diminished because my Lo was stimulating the breast the same with the shield. This was compounded because he would only latch onto the shield.

I'n sure others will have more advice and experience, just letting you know what I wish I'd known. Sorry i couldn't be more helpful.

madaboutmadmen · 22/03/2012 19:08

*wasn't stimulating the breast the same

Original poster

IceCreamCastles · 22/03/2012 20:03

Yes- have got lansinoh and am going to bf group tomorrow.

Have had peer supporter round to help but she didn't really get him on any better.

'luckily' am still taking pain killers after c section so think they are helping lessen the pain!

OP posts:

DairyNips · 22/03/2012 20:19

You're doing great. I know it's awful when it's so sore. I'd suggest that if it is pinching at the end of the feed to take baby off at that point. If he fusses then just pop him on the other side. There's no point keeping him on the sore side if it's hurting at the end and effectively causing more damage. Keep using the Lansinoh after feeding then air the sore side as much as poss.

To help with the initial latch you might want to try an exaggerated latch to get more nipple in to baby's mouth if he's still it opening up that wide. See here for an animation of an exaggerated latch.

Hope you can get more help at the group.

crikeybadger · 22/03/2012 20:35

Agree that nipple shields should be used with caution, but they may give you a bit of temporary respite whilst the nipple heals.

Personally, I would take him off the breast once it starts pinching and either try and put him back on or try the other side if he won't go back on.

I guess he's just relearning how to use his tongue again after the snip and it can sometimes take a while for things to settle down.

You could also investigate the 'flipple' or exaggerated latch technique.

crikeybadger · 22/03/2012 20:36

oh good, Dairynips linked to the animation that I couldn't find.

IThinkIAmRaaRaa · 22/03/2012 20:43

I hope it gets better soon for you! Just to echo what others have said really, the Lansinoh worked wonders for me, put it on before and after feeds and keep the nipple well covered. Give the nipple some air too between feeds to give them a chance to heal (worked for me anyway).

The deep latch that was mentioned really helped me before my LO was big enough that her mouth is now large enough we don't need to worry (if that makes sense). It is basically holding the breast while baby latches to ensure they're not right on the nipple.

I agree with others here about taking him off at the end of the feed if he's not doing it right. He is learning too and if he is pinching then he wont be feeding effectively anyway, if he is hungry he'll soon latch on again. (Easier said than done, I remember sitting there wincing for ages because I didn't want to take DD off, but then I would make an effort to take her off if not feeding right for a day and suddenly her latch would improve).

I also used nipple shields temporarily for a couple of feeds a day over a week to give me a break. Soon weaned off them when I was ready.

Good luck!

Original poster

IceCreamCastles · 22/03/2012 21:17

Have just tried the exaggerated latch on the less sore side and had to check he was actually on as I couldn't feel anything! So holding out hope that it will work on the chewed side.

He's clustering now, hopefully gearing up for a good sleep tonight!

OP posts:

DairyNips · 22/03/2012 21:22

That's great IceCream! That's how it should be. Fingers crossed for the sore side

learningaswego · 22/03/2012 21:26

Hey in my experience, if it's beginning to hurt then the chances are he's not latched on/ sucking properly so you are loosing nothing in pulling him off.

I had huge problems with dd and both nipples were cut to pieces and I couldn't get nipple shields to work for me (but I know a couple of people who swear by them).

I think if you have one side working well then let your sore side heal and then go for it. At 11 days you'll be in a strong position for that side to produce milk in a few days or so. Initially I was worried if I missed a couple of feeds I would 'dry up' so didn't get dd to take a bottle or anything (worried about her struggling to latch and all) and struggled getting through the pain, but I am telling you, you don't have to do the same!!! I went along to a LOT of NCT breast feeding groups/ hospital ones and they are really helpful and they helped me with my latch.

Hope this helps somewhat.

Good luck, hope it works itself out xxx

Original poster

IceCreamCastles · 23/03/2012 14:49

V productive morning at the bf cafe- one of the supporters showed me how to just push my thumb into the side of the breast and latch ds on. Felt instantly better

Hopefully I can replicate the action now by myself. I'm feeding him on the less painful side at the moment and latch seems really good to me.

Also, ds seemed to really enjoy himself (as much as a 12 day old can)-v alert and relaxed and looking at everything around him.

OP posts:

crikeybadger · 23/03/2012 16:39

That is good to hear IceCream- nothing like a bit of real life help to sort things out. Hope things continue to go well for you both.

DairyNips · 23/03/2012 16:48

Great news hope things continue to improve.

Original poster

IceCreamCastles · 23/03/2012 19:32

Bugger- thought we'd cracked it but It's hurting again now.
Latch looks good but something is still pinching

OP posts:

DairyNips · 23/03/2012 20:20

It'll be up and down till you both learn and get the hang of it. The important thing to remember is to take baby off and try again if it's not right.

milkandnosugar · 24/03/2012 07:14

I had very damaged nipples until 13 weeks and really feel for anyone in this situation.
Definitely get your latch checked and by someone who takes more than a fleeting glance. I agree that if your baby is not on properly take them off but do it very gently as doing this quickly and roughly can cause more trauma to the area. Put the tip of your little finger in the corner of baby's mouth to break the seal and then reposition. Wait for baby to open their mouth very wide and then move quickly to position them on your breast.
Do try to give the sore side some rest, hand expressing off it if you can.
Ask your HV for some Jelonet, which is a burns dressing to apply to your nipple as this can be a great help and promotes clean, moist wound healing. Contrary to popular belief, a damp breast pad is not moist wound healing and can cause the area to be over wet. Change pads regularly.
I was also prescribed a dressing containing silver (can't remember its name right now) which I think did the trick in the end. Its pretty expensive so they weren't keen to give it out at first but worth pursuing if the Jelonet doesn't cut it within a few days.
Really hope you heal soon, and well done for continuing with your BF. The pain will go eventually, I promise x

Original poster

IceCreamCastles · 24/03/2012 10:18

13 weeks . You're a better woman than me- I would be throwing in the towel long before then!

A question about taking him off: I can break the suction but he still clamps down (presumably why it hurts) so delatching isn't much fun for either of us.

OP posts:

DairyNips · 24/03/2012 10:44

When you take him off make sure you put your finger right in between his gums to stop him clamping down on your nipple. It's easy to think you just have to break the suction but you must make sure you put your finger far enough in to hold the gums open

Original poster

IceCreamCastles · 25/03/2012 21:23

Agh. Struggling so much on the sore side. Don't think I can bear to feed him on that side tonight .

Would it be ok to express from that side a couple of times tonight rather than feed? And then I'll try to get a nipple shield tomorrow as that must be better than nothing?

And in the worst case scenario, is it possible to just feed from one breast?

OP posts:

crikeybadger · 25/03/2012 21:35

Sorry things are still bad IceCream.

I think it would be fine to express for now and give things a chance to heal.

Absolutely possible to feed from one breast- done it myself in fact.

DairyNips · 25/03/2012 22:29

Yeah. The breasts work independently of each other and both work on supply and demand so entirely possible to use one. That's probably the best thing you can do tonight, express from sore side and feed from the good side.

Hang on in there, you're doing so well!

stinkingbishop · 26/03/2012 01:42

Same position here except I have twins so no chance to give one side a rest, except the one night feed which is formula. I am gritting my teeth, but I saw blood on one of their faces tonight and it was just awful.

DP is off out first thing to get some shields so we'll see how that goes and I have the midwife tomorrow so will see if she can recommend/give me anything like the Jelonet mentioned above - I have Lanolin but doesn't seem to help much.

13 weeks?! Twins were only born on Tuesday!!!

DairyNips · 26/03/2012 09:27

If you ladies can manage, try and find out if there's a lactation consultant in your area. That's the best person to help

AmandaWJ · 26/03/2012 10:45

was not that long ago i had the same problem, it took around 8 weeks until the pain stopped completely and then we nailed it. DD has a preference for the right breast so the left one healed first and right took rather longer but it does get better. it can be so hard when you think you've cracked it and then it gets bad again but do persevere, i can honestly say bf-ing is one of the hardest things i've ever had to do but its so rewarding once the pain stops!

I found the things that worked best for me were a bit of Lansinoh after feeds and the Tommy Tippie gel dressings, they provide a lot of relief but are a bit of a pain as you have to wash your nipples before every feed. however they are very cooling and they do promote healing so i would still recommend them :)

hope things improve for you soon, stick it out and try to think positive - it will get better :)

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