Latch fine so why am I still so sore- on verge of giving up help!!!

[CareerGirl01]

Dd was born on Wednesdsy and have been breastfeeding with several top ups. I am pretty sure her latch is fine as all the midwives were happy, but there is no way I can get all my nipple into her mouth. She was born via ELCS on Wednesday and is 6lb 8oz. I don't want to give up as I did with dd1. Am in a lot of post operative pain so on some strong painkillers- using lanhisol cream too.

To be totally honest, i have found that you have to put up with 1 to 2 weeks of pain before it settles down. It WILL be ok but there is a period when bf is not pleasant.

I know this doesn't help you right now, but it will get better, just hang in there.

And many congratulations!!

I was told latch was fine for 7 weeks before someone suggested tongue tie. Keep asking midwives and lactation consultants till someone takes you seriously. If it hurts I would suggest something is wrong.

If it hurts its not fine. Have you tried other positions other than cradle hold? Rugby hold with baby propped up on a pillow can offer some relief (I feed my DTs like this 95% of the time, I find it so comfy)

Ditto checking tongue tie, both my DTs were TT - I got a private lactation consultant to snip them at 8 days old and it made a world of difference.

Also do try to get to a bf clinic - finding some more relaxed bf positions can really help too.

Our latch was fine but it hurt for 6 wks - less so each week - honestly it will get better and it doesn't nec mean tongue tie. One day you'll realise you dont feel it anymore. Loads of Lanisoh cream and fresh air to your nips. X

(When I say hurt I mean it hurt at the start for the first few sucks - not hurt as is agony all the time. It the first week it did often feel like feeding a baby crocodile till she got things flowing - when she got colic and all bitey well that hurt too)

As pps have said - check for tongue tie, but also don't give up just yet! I also would recommend going to a bf clinic, and ime it takes longer than a few days for the nipples to settle down.

It feels like forever when it's so painful, I know, but it does pass after 10 days/2 weeks.

Keep consulting midwives and bf peer supporters. But it may just be that it will be sore for a while. Then it'll settle.

With DS1, he fed constantly and my nipples were very very sore - I'd cry sometimes. I was constantly slathered in Lansinoh. But it wasn't too long before it was easy and pain free. Maybe by week three.

Hang in there for a bit, keep checking in with consultants, see how it goes.

I had real probs at beg w/ dd, now 3.5 wks old. In the depths of a dark, long, miserably painful night I, out of nowhere, decided to try the rugby ball hold, but sort of with her propped up, facing up and toward my nipple. It made a huge difference, got me through that night and the next week or so, giving my ravaged and scabby nips a chance to heal.

Have also had lots if help from lactation consultant and peer supporters (both came to me in early days) and I haunt as many breast feeding drop ins as I can get to. But, I think one of our main issues was dd not opening her mouth wide enough, so things have just naturally got better as she's grown. Hang in there - it will get better!

I was in agony for around 6 weeks on one side! Rugby hold helped but Breast Angels sorted me out in a matter of days! Amazing - Google them, they're worth every penny. 2 friends have borrowed too and say exactly the same thing. Good luck!

Thanks!! I've already had feeding checked over by several midwives - all have said her latch is good. I'm going to try the rugby hold.

CityDweller if anything the problem is she is still learning to open her mouth wide enough. She is so tiny as well'

Don't attach if she's not opened enough.

I found helping to kind of flick the nipple in helped. Turned out ds had an upper lip tie so was never gonna be an effective feeder.