Sore nipples and pregnant

[hideandsqueak]

My DS is 18 months and feeds before bed and occasionally in the night. Am 20 weeks with DC2 and my nipples are so sore. Am starting to worry that if this carries on until the new baby arrives i will experience even more pain than the usual newborn constant feeding amount. Will the pregnancy soreness go away in time for my nipples to heal? Not sure how this can happen if DS continues to feed and I tandem... Ouch

You're feeling soreness for two reasons -

1. your hormones make your nips more sensitive in pregnancy anyway (you can also experience this around ovulation and when your period's due).
2. the same hormones for a successful pregnancy also reduce your supply (20 weeks is also when your colostrum comes in). Babies tend to make their latch more shallow when the flow slow which in turn makes you more sore.

You could try compressions when feeding to speed up the flow - if it doesn't make you any less sore then at least it should shorten the feed.

My DD self weaned early around this time when I was pregnant - she actually said 'yuck' when the colostrum started to come in. If you do end up tandem feeding the hormonal soreness should go after birth.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!