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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

My god it hurts so much...

32 replies

calvemjoe · 22/09/2006 20:38

I'm attempting to breastfeed my 4 day old dd and it hurts so much. My nipples are cracked and every suck feels like she's sucking out glass. Please help, I want to succeed so much but it's agony.

OP posts:

MeAndMyBoy · 22/09/2006 20:46

I don't really have much advise, but can sympathise completely and didn't want to leave your post unreplied to. It can hurt to start with and I was in agony although it did get better. It might be that your DD isn't latched on properly and is actually sucking on your nipples rather than having a big enough mouthful to have the nipple nearer the back of her mouth.

Get in touch with your local breastfeeding support and get them to come and see you or go and see them to check this.

La Leche is one

Nct NCT phone number for the breastfeeding support is on the front page and you don't have to be a member to use them

Maybe your local sure start team, midwife/HV should be able to point you in their direction I would think.

Hang in there, it will get better and you can get it sorted.

H x

I'm sure someone with more advise will be along very soon.

lucy5 · 22/09/2006 20:49

It does hurt but it won't last. make sure you feed from both boobs however much it hurts. I used to use a cream called cammilosan[sp] Check the label though as it was a long time ago.

ills · 22/09/2006 20:50

I felt just like you did with dd. At about 7 days when I had cracked bleeding nibbles I was about to give up. The midwife came round and spent an Hour trying different positions etc and things slowly improved. She was breastfed for a year and never had formula milk.
Talk to somebody don't give up in you want to suceed I am so glad I perserved. With ds who was born when dd was 20 months old I never had any problems.
Good Luck.

KBear · 22/09/2006 20:51

I feel your pain. Sounds like your DD isn't latching on properly. Grab your boob in one hand, get DD balanced on a cushion on your lap so you're not holding her weight and she's not dragging your boob down, tickle her chin and she should open her mouth. Put as much of your boob in her mouth as you can - you won't choke her but her sucking on your nipple is what is causing the pain, most likely. Phone your midwife and get her round tomorrow and say you need urgent help for breastfeeding to succeed. Good luck....x

Oh and Kamilosan rubbed in your nipple area between feeds should help the cracking.

Original poster

calvemjoe · 22/09/2006 21:08

Thanks everyone. I had a feeling she wasn't latching on properly cause I can still see nipple when in she's feeding. It just hurts so much and along with the hormones is making me cry. DH wants me to take the night off and give it a fresh try in the morning, but I get the feeling engorged breasts would probably make the whole thing much worse

OP posts:

hettyblue · 22/09/2006 21:11

I feel your pain particularly as i have just gone through Mastitis with dd (5 months) - Savoy cabbage leaves in your bra are amazing for pain relief. Get help with your positioning and remember you are not alone as we all go through this when establishing breastfeeding - this too will pass - good luck

hettyblue · 22/09/2006 21:15

Engorgment can make it difficult for baby to latch on - When my milk came in I had two melons that rivalled Leah from BB! DD poor thing was finding it impossible to feed properly so I expressed before I feed her to ensure the breast was softer and therefore easier for her to cope with - once the supply settles down it stops being a problem - at least ime

LIZS · 22/09/2006 21:16

ah here you are - had been wondering about you on the other thread !

Kamillosan is great but you would probably most benefit from the advice of a breastfeeding counsellor (not necessarily your midwife or health visitor who may mean well but probably aren't specifically trained) who could watch a feed and adjust your position and latch. I found the rugby hold and lots of cushions to support my forearm worked well with very little ones. She needs to open her mouth wide and take in not only the nipple but the dark area around - try tickling her cheek adn side of her mouth gently to encoruage her to gape. You should see her ears and temples waggle as she sucks and swallows.

hth good luck

dunfiebabe · 22/09/2006 21:21

my dd had problems feeding on one side around day 4 or 5 and spent hrs with midwives trying to get her latched on - agony - finally they suggested i try a nipple shield which was fantastic for couple of days as allowed nipples to heal whilst feeding her - you will feel fantastic when it all comes together - with ds i thought i would be an expert having fed dd for 6mths but still needed help from midwives with positioning and getting him latched on!
I used kamillosn when nipples were cracked and a cream called lansinoh is also very good as doesn't need to be removed b4 bf

Original poster

calvemjoe · 22/09/2006 21:26

I have the Lansinoh but will definatly get the other one tomorrow. Bless her, I just sat and cried throughout the whole of her last feed, such a great way to bond!

OP posts:

spots · 22/09/2006 21:40

I feel for you, have had this with both dd's and it's awful.

I found underarm feeding improved the latch - easier for the nipple to hit the correct part of the mouth.

And if you find comfort in nothing else, the cracks heal so quickly it's amazing. One good feed can set you up well for the next one. Two good feeds and you're on an even keel again.

Good luck. If you're minded to stick at it now you'll be quids in later. It gets so much better.

sorrell · 22/09/2006 21:41

You need to see a professional. Call the midwives at the hospital and ask if there is a breastfeeding clinic you can attend asap. A tiny change in positioning can make a huge difference.

kiskidee · 22/09/2006 21:48

try to get someone to look at your latch asap. a lot of nct groups have saturday coffee mornings. if you go to their website here you may be able to find out if they have a meeting tomorrow. they certainly won't mind you dropping in.

kiskidee · 22/09/2006 21:51

another tip is that it is ok to be able to see some areola at the top of his mouth but it is the bottom lip side of the areola that has to go more into your baby's mouth. i think that if you use a mirror you ought to be able to see how much of the areola is in his mouth compared to the topside.

Original poster

calvemjoe · 22/09/2006 21:55

My midwife is coming over in the morning. Will try the rugby ball hold for tonights feed and hope she hits a different spot.

OP posts:

Pollyanna · 22/09/2006 21:57

I really feel for you calvemjoe - I remember sitting crying in the middle of the night in agony and dreading the next feed. If you see a breastfeeding councillor tomorrow, it will start getting better immediately - I really would advise this. Get someone to come round to you (or visit them) and they will show you how to latch on - I found this alot more helpful than help over the phone. Also, you can take some painkillers to help with the pain (sorry can't remember what they are called, but you may be able to get advice from a pharmacist).

sorrell · 22/09/2006 21:58

A breastfeeding clinic is MUCH better than a midwife visit though in most cases.

littlepiggie · 22/09/2006 22:03

could you give ebm in a cup till you see mw if the pain is so bad?

crumpet · 22/09/2006 22:03

I found lansinoh better than kamillosan for sore breasts. Please do try and see someone asap - I remember bleeding nipples, and crying each time dd latched on - it did pass but still makes me wince at the thought 3 years on. (I think I have seen on here references to a telephone helpline type service - not sure whether I am right)

bottomburp · 22/09/2006 22:05

calvemjoe,am remembering crying through feeds as well, felt like DD had a mouth full of broken glass. i used lansinoh cream religiously after every single feed, it is v.expensive but brilliant. i had one tube downstairs and one tube upstairs, until DD about 4.5mths old i had to use it each time. i think my DD did not have a good latch, i found lying down on my side with DD lying n her side facing me was the least painful. my DD is 6mths old now and has been BFd the whole way thru and i feel so pleased i persevered.its great to think i grew her!!

every time i got exasperated with how UNeasy it was i thought really its like the blind leading the partially sighted i.e. both you and your baby are brand new to BFg. congratulations on persevering, huge pat on back

hana · 22/09/2006 22:09

calvemjoe - my daughter is a week old and I had the same thing up until a few days ago - I slathered on the lansinoh cream between feeds and exposed them as well so it was just air on the nipples and it has cleared up considerably - I also tried different positions with the baby - they do get used to latching on and just re-open any really sore cracked bits. It DOES DOES get better - like I said she's 7 days old now oops 8! and it doesn't hurt at all. I had similar experience with my first two - and bf them for 12 months a piece. I'm sure in the morning your midwife will be able to help. Something else that might help with engorgement is pressing a warm flannel against the breast before each feed, and expressing some by hand before a feed - if it's too full the baby sometimes has a bit of trouble latching on. Hang in there, and good luck!

MissingMySleep · 22/09/2006 22:09

cannot describe how much better lansinoh is than the others, then if you give up breastfeeding and have any left lying around you can use it to get rid of any hard skin on your elbows..!

ediemay · 22/09/2006 22:10

I really feel for you too. If I remember correctly the fourth day is often when the milk really comes in - my breasts felt like missiles! I do agree about the underarm position, my babe was a wriggler which made it more painful and underarm seemed to hold him more securely. As others have said, try to make sure she really opens her mouth and you get lots of breast in. I had to use shields for 3 days in the end, just to get my nipples to heal. It is SO GOOD when you get past this, and I know it's hard to believe but it becomes painless and easy and scond nature to you. Good luck, I really hope you get some help over the weekend. Try to bathe your breasts then leave them bare for a while, the air helps to heal them. Sending you loads of positive vibes xxxxx

laundrylover · 22/09/2006 22:47

Just sending my support to you. I know from your other threads that your baby suckled for hours on end and IMO this is not the best way to go for your nips but something that hospitals seem very keen on.
Use shields and neck some ibruprofen until you can see a pro bf councillor to sort your latch out.
DON'T have a night off!! I know your DH is trying to help but really it will be agony!!
As the other posters say, bfing is sooooo fab once you get going so keep us updated, seek help and good luck.

laundrylover · 22/09/2006 22:48

Oh yes and it's boobs out to air and cream slapped on at all times (except when your FIL is visiting!!).

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