New mum/breastfeeding - pain in left breast - HELP!!

[sonnysmum]

I am a new mum & my son is 2 weeks old today! i am havin g such problems with breast feeding...
It is agony when he feeds from the left - just for the firts few seconds. My midwife said it is always 'toe curling' - but this is more than that - really excruciating - just on that side. I have now been prescibribed pills/cream/gel for thrush (although show no other symptoms). Has anyone else had this problem? everyone says he is 'latched on' fine, but I wonder if maybe he's not?
The other problem is random (not at every feed) when my baby takes a few gulps - then pushes me away shaking his head & screaming, but still wants more food. It really upsets me when it goes on & on (esp. at night!) and we regularly both end up in tears. You all sounds like experts on this website, so HELP - please!!

Do you have an obviously sore left nipple? Has it always been sore? Is it only in the first few seconds or does it last all the way through the feed?
The random problem sounds like a fast 'let down' - the milk flows fater than the baby can cope with. Try just feeding from one side at a time. Feed on one breast, wind him then put him back to the same breast.
When you are feeding on the left side it may be an idea to start him on the right side first to take the edge off his hunger. That way he won't suck so vigorously. Try alternating the feeding position you use for the left side - he might be taking the same tender part of the nipple in and aggravating it.
Always best to get in contact with a Breastfeeding Counsellor locally if you can. I don't have the numbers to hand but lots of other mumsnetters do. It will get better honestly.

Yes - the left nipple (acually more than just the nipple) is always quite throbbing. It has basically been pretty painful since my milk came in, but it is only in the first few seconds.
I will defo try the advice you have given - everybody says it will get better, although i am finding it hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.....
If anyone knows the number of a local breastfeeding councillor - i am in sheffield.
Thanks again mears!

Click on this link here and you might get the numbers you need.

No real advice but lots of cyber hugs - I had a rough first four weeks with dd but it did get better and I ended up feeding her for a year and really enjoyed it. I know it's a cliche but 2 weeks is early days so hopefully it'll get less painful.

I also seem to 'gush' and have followed previous avice from mumsnet; both of mine have pulled away screaming, due to the sheer volume of milk I think. With ds I ended up soaking some of the milk with a cloth and then putting him back on when things had calmed down a bit.

Good luck

I had the same problem ie pain at the start of each feed I used a piece of cloth to bite on at thr start of each feed. i was told some women have a painful letdown whilst others feel nothing. it stopped after about three weeks with both of my children. Good Luck.

Sonnysmum, lots of sympathy - my DS2 is 2.5months and I used to get this in the right breast and would sob feeding him, its sooooo painful. My leg used to shoot out, never mind toe curling. The only thing I found that helped at all, was to hold a heat pack over the breast for a few minutes, then hand express a little bit of milk - it eased the pain but only a little
It did just pass after 3 or 4 weeks. I have to admit, I loathe breastfeeding and still feel horribly guilty about that, but I just keep setting myself targets to aim for, I was so proud of myself for hitting my 2 month target.
HONESTLY it does stop hurting in the next couple of weeks, just hang on in there. I also gave DS2 one bottle of formula a day, only the one, just to give me a break - it was my daily treat!
Lots of luck, keep going

You poor thing- please try to get some advice from a bf counsellor. I had the same thing- along with lots of bleeding (yuk, makes me cringe thinking back!) Do hang in there, two weeks is such early days and when it goes well bf is so easy and lovely. I carried on for 9months and when I have number 2 will try to carry on even longer. It honestly does get better. Lansinoh was an excellent soothing cream- highly recommended from many people in my NCT group. Good luck- and congratulations on your new baby boy. Don't get upset- try to get some help.

Sonnysmum - sounds like we are in the same boat my dear. My wee man is 3.5 weeks now and I'm still in agony but daily things seem to be getting better. He also pulls away constantly taking my nips with him but discovered that he wanted milk instantly and didn't want to work for it. I hand express if engorged then smear nipple with milk. After getting a taste he latches on almost immediately. If he doesn't latch on correctly, I take him off and try again until we are both comfortable ish!!. I'm looking forward to feeling this "bliss" everyone seems to talk about. Good luck hon.

Dear Sonnysmum...I know exactly how that feels. Sometimes I'd look up and expect to see a 'me' shaped hole in the ceiling it hurt so much. I too cried all the way through my night feeds and my left breast was the worse of the two by far. I fiddled about with latching on (it helped if I wrapped him in a blanket so he didn't put his hands in the way - a big issue for us) and I used to touch his chin to get him to open his mouth nice and wide but eventually thrush was diagnosed (neither of us had the classic symtoms except for a bit of nasty nappy rash) and after a couple of weeks (it felt like the treatment wasn't working at first but it did) it became bearable to feed. Now 12 weeks after ds was born I'm loving it and am SO glad I carried on.
If it is thrush and you are in agony when you put clothes on or have a bath or shower try putting a tea strainer with the handle sawn off over your nipple, it seems to protect it from chafing and helps it 'air dry'. I had one for each breast and although it made me look an odd shape, they saved my sanity...good luck and chin up you are not alone.

This may not be right, but my best guesses are:

Pain: I think it's painful letdown (the initial sensation of the milk getting out). It was painful for me with 1st baby. Just breathe through it, try to relax and it will get better. It took about 8 weeks for me before the pain was neglibible. Paracetamol may help a little. Good news is, I never had painful letdown at all with my 2nd baby.

Pulling off: babies have no patience when it comes to their dinner. Milk doesn't flow instantly, they complain about it. You wonder what's wrong, tense up (your body knows that letdown is painful, anyway), and being tense in yourself doesn't help the milk flow. Pat his back to calm him down, try to relax yourself, and try again.

oh my god - i am just overwhelmed with the help! fantastic -I will try it all!! I am just so cheered & encouraged I feel better already...maybe it's true - I'm not the only one finding it tough!!!??
...am longing for the day when i can turn round to someone and say "honestly - it does get better"

My legs used to shoot out too, it was amazingly painful just for a few seconds. I had to feed on towels once ds worked out how to dribble any excess milk out the side of his mouth as I had a very overactive let down (and it was the left side too).

He is nearly 11 months and still breastfed, we both love it now. It will improve honest, one day you will just notice it doesn't hurt any more.

hows it going sonnysmum?