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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Can you do 3-4 feeds on one side while the other heals?

11 replies

weeblueberry · 08/04/2015 00:02

DD2 is only 5 days old but I'm already suffering from serious pain when feeding, primarily from left. I suspect I've allowed her to nipple feed for a couple of extended feeds. She's also had, on average, 12/13 feeds every 24 hours since she was born which has taken its toll on my poor nipples.

I'm due to speak to a breastfeeding group tomorrow morning but wondered if, in the mean time I could mainly feed from my right because feeding from my left is absolute agony...the thought of feeding her from my left is actually making me sick... Sad

OP posts:
jessplussomeonenew · 08/04/2015 10:03

Ahhh, I vividly remember that feeling of oh-no-its-time-for-that-side again!

Feeding lopsidedly has its downsides though, it can lead to build up of milk which is uncomfortable, risks blocked ducts and can reduce supply a bit - can you express that side? I did use a nipple shield on one side when it got bad - again there are disadvantages but as a temporary measure it was what kept me going. Am assuming you're lansinoh-ing and keeping the nipple aired. Have you considered a different hold on the sore side as sometimes that can help?

Hope the breastfeeding group helps, if the problems persist you may want to try a IBCLC lactation consultant like the one who picked up and snipped my DS's tongue tie.

Original poster
weeblueberry · 08/04/2015 15:10

Thank you. I'm using the cream but still pretty sore. Midwife at the breastfeeding group confirmed no physical issues so no tongue tie. I'm not sure I should be expressing as I'm only 5 days post partum.

I'm honestly tempted to pack in the whole thing. She's on me constantly and the nipple shields (which I was shown how to use this morning) are really difficult - you seem to need three hands to use them without her flicking then off when she roots. Unless I can master these damn things I can't see how I'll get the tinr to heal before they just keep getting sore. Sad

OP posts:
Minitant · 08/04/2015 15:13

Just a quick thing (apologies if you already know this but it saved my nipples!)... Don't forget to slaver your nipples with Lansinoh before each feed, not just after. It forms a really good barrier.

CelticPromise · 08/04/2015 15:17

Not expressing at 5 days is right if you are feeding on that side but if not you'll need to express to maintain supply and comfort. Doesn't sound like you are feeling more confident after bf group, how did it go? Nipple shields prob wouldn't be my first suggestion in your situation, unless they are just a very temp solution for sore side?

SallyMischievo · 08/04/2015 17:33

Multi-Mam compresses, kindly recommended by someone on here, saved my poor nipples when DD was feeding constantly as a newborn! At £10.99 for 12, they are pretty pricey but I found applying Lansinoh AND one of those to my nipples (with a pad over it to keep it in place) really made a difference. Hope this helps!

Original poster
weeblueberry · 08/04/2015 20:02

Thanks all. The midwife leading the group checked her latch and confirmed she didn't have tongue tie. She was lovely but a little patronising tbh. She kept saying 'she's only 5 days old' and, while I appreciate shes very new, I had so many problems with DD1 that I wanted to nip these issues in the bud before they spiraled. Basically she said to use the shields and lansinoah until nipples were healed and to essentially start over when there was little to no latch pain. She also encouraged a downward body position which, while I understand why this makes sense for a baby just learning to feed, is difficult and impractical for me to do. Without sounding glib, I need to know how to do an effective across the body pose so I can still interact with my toddler.

It's not really resolved but I'll work on it. She cried all evening while I bathed my toddler and kept on literally til I put her on the boob. It seems like the only way to calm her now which is really taking it's toll. Sad

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BertieBotts · 08/04/2015 20:10

Yep you'll be alright to feed off one side, but be aware of engorgement and ready to hand express. Do you know the Marmet technique? (Google - you can see written instructions, photos or video, whichever you follow easiest)

Shields are okay but be aware they do reduce stimulation to the breast, and they may exacerbate the latch problem too so use with caution. Sounds like they might be more trouble than they are worth at the moment.

Tongue tie is often missed so I wouldn't take it as gospel that she doesn't have it, but as she doesn't have an obvious TT, leave it on the back burner for now. It might just be latch and frequency as you said.

Hope the expert tomorrow is better!

snowydrops · 08/04/2015 21:17

Yes I had to do this two weeks ago for 48 hours. I expressed the other side (marginally less painful) I also tried her with a nipple shield but found it too annoying. Both sides were sore for me but one was worse, turned out to be a posterior tongue tie which hadn't been diagnosed (3 people looked!!) so please make sure that's checked as could be the same thing? I also had thrush. Cream for that and lanisoh cleared it up in 2-3 days. Now I have NO PAIN at all and DD2 is feeding / I express 10 x a day. Good luck Smile

CelticPromise · 08/04/2015 21:22

Hmm I would try one of the bf helplines. If i saw someone at a group with nipple trauma then I wouldn't expect pain free feeding straight away but I would aim to get it more comfy. Is it worse when she latches or painful throughout feeds? are some feeds more comfy than others or is it always painful?

Original poster
weeblueberry · 08/04/2015 22:20

It's worse when she latches and is uncomfortable when feeding but not very painful. I've used the shields and cream today and it does seem to have made a difference. She goes for much longer spells at night without feeding so I'm hoping a couple of nights of treating the nipples will make a difference.

Thanks all for your advice. It's really appreciated. Smile

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CelticPromise · 08/04/2015 22:30

Glad things are improving. Sometimes when you are very sore it takes a while to be able to really know if things are getting better, just because you are so tender. advice you have prob heard before- concentrate hard on latch every single feed, and if it's not right or becomes not right during take her off and try again. I know you want it to get easier and that will come, but really work at it now. The really wide gape of her mouth is important for your comfort and for milk transfer, so don't neglect it while you are using shields. Express a little bit of milk onto your nipples and let them air dry when you can. Hope you have a peaceful night and a better day tomorrow Smile

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