Breastfeeding 3rd DS and bleeding nipples

[Crumblemum]

Hi there

Looking for some advice/ support. My 3rd DS is 5 days old and has been feeding well since birth (actually gaining weight) but my boobs are suffering. They're still hard and full from the milk coming in, meaning already quite uncomfortable, but when he latches on I'm in real pain. I also have slight bleeding from the centre of each nipple. It's not the end of the world but does really hurt.

I'm trying to get him to latch on with big wide mouth, but is it a consequence of the boobs being too hard, or is it something to live with just as my boobs get used to breast feeding again?

Any hints advice would be great. I can't really remember this from 2nd time around but struggled first time and really hoped feeding wouldn't be like that again.

Thanks

It sounds like you are too engorged before feeding him. Can you try and espress some off first to get rid of the hard feeling?
After you have done this and he latches easier check your latch and make sure that more of the bottom of your aerole is inhis mouth, his chin is touching your breast and his nose is clear. Also have him as straight a line as you can with his tummy touching yours.
If it is hurting for more than a minute or so relatch and aim for more nipple in his mouth.

Check your discharge pack for breastfeeding support groups and helplines as well. We provide them in every pack in our area but still mums forget about them and don't ask for help.

Good luck, hope the next feed is better

Thanks so much for the advice, Debs - really helpful. I had a bath so did do a bit of manual expressing but haven't got out the expressing machine as was worried about stimulating demand?

I've only been offering one boob at each feed as that seems enough and I'm keen he empties it, but would it be better for him to take a bit from both?

Great idea, re breastfeeding cafe, I know there are a few round here - had just forgotten they would still be relevant to me third time round!!

Thanks again x

You want to just express the tiniest amount right before you latch him on to make it easier. So even if you pump for 10-20 secs and dump the milk later because you haven't stored it correctly that should help your lo.

These help soothe and minimise bleeding. www.multi-mam.com/multi-mamcompresses.html

Thanks - I can't remember how long it takes the boobs to settle down - milk came in on Fri but they still feel mad an over full. Will it be much longer?

You are right to feed from one side till its empty, you can always offer the other if still hungry and for the next feed switch the starting side.
With dd2 it was about 3 weeks before I felt my boobs settled down. I still got the hard/full feeling and leaked a lot for a few months though.

I could have written this post 7 or 8 weeks ago! I had exactly ths with DS2 who is my third - must be a third child thing. Great advice already given. I used loads of Lanisoh squashed onto a breast pad so my nipples didn't dry out and stick. Healed by about 4 weeks and now we're 2 months in.

I had my latch checked and it was fine but they reckoned I was a bit careless initially when he was feeding constantly and I did myself some damage. Millimetres can make a difference and when it's your third you can get a bit blasé !

Thanks everyone for great advice. Am expressing a bit and hot flannels are really helping. Think getting more under control. I think blasé is just where we were/ are with latch on so doing my best to be vigilant in that too.

It no longer being 30 deg helps too!

Thanks again x