3 day old cluster feeding & nipple pain

[HelgatheHairy]

Hi all. My DD is 3 days old and has been feeding pretty constantly since 7.30 this morning. Is this normal? I know they have tiny little stomachs at this age but there seems to be no break at all. She seems to fall asleep on the boob too but then start crying when I put her in her cot.
Secondly my nipples are REALLY sore. I expected them to be sore but they seem really sore. The midwives say my/her latch is really good but I'm still in pain.

Any advice?

In my experience it is completely normal (both the continuous feeding and wanted to stay close) apply plenty of good quality nipple cream and if possible leave your nipples to get plenty of fresh air!! It does pass I promise so if possible just do anything you can to cope, I coped by setting up camp on the sofa with chocolate and really good films or just snuggled up in bed with baby. With my first it drove me wild but with my 2nd I actually enjoyed the chance to just rest and snuggle. Take care x

I'm on day 16 with DD and she cluster feeds every night 8-2am ish. I wouldn't survive without Lansinoh nipple cream. Boots sell it - it's about £10 but worth every single penny!!!
Good luck, it does get easier!
And congrats on your newborn

Thank you both. I'd heard of cluster feeding but in relation to older babies, didnt realise it started this young.

She hasn't slept since 7.30am (apart from 30 mins max when we brought her home) is that normal?

Yes it's normal - she's just trying to bring your milk ' in'. Stick with it but do ask the mws again to help you with the latch. Lansinoh is fine to get your nipples healed but if the latch is not quite right then you are not addressing to cause of the problem. Remember to wait for a wide mouth then bring her to the boob quickly aiming your nipple to the roof of her mouth. If your nipple comes out looking squashed at the end of a feed then something isn't quite right.

Oh and completely normal too to fall asleep on you then wake in her cot....she just wants to be next to you as she can smell you and hear your heart beating and it's a lovely place to be. Just let her cuddle up with you (skin to skin is ideal) - you get to sit down and recover too.

Congrats

My nipples were sore for the first 6 wks, after that things got much better. I kept reading up on the latching technique which helped but I also think my nipples just needed to toughen up a bit! The first few weeks are so tiring bf but my ds is 15wks now and takes 10mins to eat and generally only feeds every 3hrs, things will get easier :-)

Normal normal normal.
I survived on lanisoh and nipple shields. Hv lectured me on the shields but I was so sore and bleeding and crying with pain I'd have given up otherwise.
I didn't have a problem after a couple of weeks and it only took a couple of days for dd to latch withput the shields

Congrats on your LO Normal, entirely. Is your milk in? Once it is, she'll fill up and stop feeding for intervals, even if short.

DD's latch was good, but the nipple pain was still utterly horrendous, at one point I wept and wept, but she would wail if taken off the breast. The first five days were the worst - after that my nipples were less tender, and she took breaks - hang in there.

Ps ice them (I'm serious!). gel packs or cold drink cans are good.

Congratulations!

Just wanted to reiterate that it is all completely normal.

Just relax and enjoy it! I found the cluster feeding a great excuse to sit, rest and watch rubbish tv. Do not get the chance now that ds is 8 months and crawling!

Breast milk is great for sore nipples - just squeeze some out and rub on. They will stop hurting soon.

Thanks all. Things feeling marginally better today.

It is normal to feed so frequently but soreness suggests there might be latch problems.

Is she having plenty wet & dirty nappies?

I would get your latch checked again by a midwife or even better, a lactation consultant or breastfeeding counsellor if soreness persists.

She has been having wet/dirty nappies but today there's been 2 wet but no dirty yet. Think it's on the way though as she seems to be farting a bit!

Well that suggests that she is getting the milk then!

Just keep an eye on the soreness. I think some soreness can be normal but if its getting worse or very painful then it's most likely that the latch needs adjusting.

I'm a few days further down the line (12day old). Been told my nipples will toughen up soon enough. The problem I found was once they were damaged each time I fed just made it worse. I went back for advice from breastfeeding specialist midwife quite a few times and plan on seeking her out quite a few more times. It really isn't easy or instinctual and the reassurance is much appreciated.

Catch-22 as the more they feed, the more milk, so the less time they need to spend feeding and making things more sore.

DD's latch was perfect but my nipples were SO sore - it made me paranoid that I was doing something wrong. Do get the latch looked at if you're worried, but ime serious nipple pain initially, cracking, bleeding, doesn't necessarily indicate a problem with the latch.

Had my latch looked at this morning by the public health nurse (Irish version of health visitor) and she thinks its not a problem with the latch. She thinks its just settling in pain and that my nipples aren't in that bad shape!