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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

So much pain

37 replies

Icklepickle101 · 17/01/2016 20:14

DS is 3 days old and I'm in so much pain trying to breastfeed him, I literally dread every time he feeds and have cried the last twice I've fed him.

From the moment he is latched on the pain every time he sucks is awful, like an intense burn. Various midwives and care assistants have said he is latched on perfectly so they couldn't help.

DP wants to move to formula tomorrow because it's hurting me so much but im reluctant to give up so easily if we can fix it. Anyone have any advice?

OP posts:
Flossiesmummy · 17/01/2016 20:15

Can you take any pain relief to see if that helps?

Original poster
Icklepickle101 · 17/01/2016 20:22

I'm taking regular codeine and paracetamol as had an ELCS and so far the pain from breastfeeding has been the worst bit so far!!

OP posts:
Flossiesmummy · 17/01/2016 20:24

Oh dear. Is the pain inside your nipple or on the skin?

ThatsIrrelephant · 17/01/2016 20:26

It could be that you had a few bad latches which made you're nipples sore, so now each time he feeds it aggravates the area? If that might be the case, you could try expressing breast milk and cup feeding him for a day or so just to give your nipples some rest.

sandylion · 17/01/2016 20:28

Get a nipple shield and get the Lasinoh on! Is there any breastfeeding support workers who can see you?

Muddywellyboots · 17/01/2016 20:33

Sounds like my experience and both my DC were tongue tied. Perfect latch to start but slipped on to nipple and burning pain!! Can you get a referral to a specialist to check? Also lansinoh cream is essential. X

sandylion · 17/01/2016 20:36

Any signs of thrush in LO mouth?

HumphreyCobblers · 17/01/2016 20:37

YY to checking tongue tie. Have a look yourself? You may be able to easily spot it if there is a clear anterior tie, but probably won't be able to if it is posterior as these are very hard to identify.

I do sympathise, it felt like slamming my nipple into a door when I was feeding my first.

SirBoobAlot · 17/01/2016 20:41

BFing worker here - where abouts is the pain, what type of pain is it, and when are yiy getting the pain (just when he latches / constantly etc)? Has baby's mouth been looked at? Have you been following all the nose to nipple type advice for latch?

Call your midwife tomorrow morning asap and say you need the breastfeeding specialist to come out. There will be a MW or HV on the team who is designated in that role. At the sa e time ask for a phone call or visit from a breastfeeding worker.

We'll get this sorted, don't worry.

RNBrie · 17/01/2016 20:42

Tongue tie? You need a lactation consultation asap, Google tongue tie but also ask your midwife if your hospital has a tongue tie clinic.

Can you hand express and syringe feed until your boobs feel better?

Do not believe anyone that says this is normal. I get that it can be uncomfortable but excruciating is not normal.

Do what you can to get him checked but there is no joy in breastfeeding if it hurts that much. Formula is fine and a lot less painful. I say that as someone who was once told by my gp that my pride was killing my 12 week old baby as I refused to bottle feed despite breastfeeding failing. I switched to formula that day. Dc2 had similar issues but was diagnosed with tongue tie at three days, was snipped and fed just fine. So I've done both and there are pros and cons to both.

Original poster
Icklepickle101 · 17/01/2016 20:58

Thank you so much for all your replies, I've just sat and cried through another feed Sad

I don't think he is you he tied, a few people checked him at hospital and I've just googled and had a look and I can't see it.

I get the pain as soon as he latched and then every time time he sucks, been following all the advice About position, nose to nipple making sure he has a wide mouth before starting etc etc

I've looked through my discharge paperwork and there is a breastfeeding network phone number, will give that and my midwife a go in the morning.

OP posts:
Original poster
Icklepickle101 · 17/01/2016 21:04

I might give expressing a go, I've got a manual pump would it be okay to use that on the most boob friendly setting and feed him from a bottle?

OP posts:
HumphreyCobblers · 17/01/2016 21:04

I still think it is worth getting someone who knows about tt to have a proper look. There are thousands of mothers out there who have been told their babies do not have a tie who turn out to have one after all. My own ds had an anterior tie snipped on day three, the midwife who snipped it said definitely that he did not have a posterior tie. She was wrong and I had it corrected at five months.

Good luck tomorrow, do hope you can find someone to help.

HumphreyCobblers · 17/01/2016 21:04

yes, give it a go!

SirBoobAlot · 17/01/2016 21:06

You say it's a burning pain, is that correct? Is there any other pain? Has he got any whiteness on his tongue?

Where abouts does it hurt? On your nipple, deep in the breast?

Eminado · 17/01/2016 21:08

Lansinoh on nipples as many times a day as you can handle

Go topless between feeds to help them heal

Nipple shields

I know EXACTLY what you mean, the pain was toe curling and I cried too days 3 and 4 but went on to feed till 11 months. Flowers

SirBoobAlot · 17/01/2016 21:08

Agree re TT. I'd avoid pumping right now as your milk supply coming in combined with more demand (from the pump) would result in oversupply, and then you'll have two lots of pain.

Original poster
Icklepickle101 · 17/01/2016 21:09

Yes intense burning pain is the best way to describe it, just in my nipple and the areola is a bit sensitive but not awful, deep boob tissue is fine.

No whiteness on his tounge but the roof of his mouth/gums look a little white.

OP posts:
Suzietwo · 17/01/2016 21:12

I've breastfed 3 babies and was just contemplating the hell of the first few weeks of feeding.

I've had one with 100% thick tongue tie and tbh it was no greater pain than the pain of the two with mild ties. It just fucking hurts.

The good news is by the time you're through 1 complete tube of Lansinoh it won't hurt any more.

In the meantime, time your best drugs with your feeds wherever possible and yes to topless to harden up your nipples etc.

Suzietwo · 17/01/2016 21:14

Baby is unlikely to have developed thrush and infected mum by day 3.

Doublebubblebubble · 17/01/2016 21:16

Takd some paracetemol and use LOTS and LOTS of lasinoh!!!! I breastfed my DD for 19 months so when ds came 13 weeks ago I expected it to be a doddle. Nope. I was in tears so much in the early days. I screamed. It does get easier I promise!!! Also, lying on your side to feed is a lot more comfortable at first x

Doublebubblebubble · 17/01/2016 21:17

Baby is unlikely to have developed thrush and infected mum by day 3 this ^

Eminado · 17/01/2016 21:17

Oh no! So it hurts again even if it's not your first?! Shock

HalfStar · 17/01/2016 21:27

Lansinoh before a feed as well as after.

Suzietwo · 17/01/2016 21:34

Ruby ball hold can help too. And yep each baby hurts in my experience. Dreading #4