Sore nipples - is it normal and how long does it last???

[Sterny]

Hello,

I am hoping that some of you will be able to help me. I have been mixed feeding ds1 for some time and am trying to get exclusive bfeeding established again.

When I latch him on my nipples feel very sore before the let-down kicks in (about 10 seconds) and then it is ok and not painful at all. They are a bit more tender than normal (assume it's because they are now getting lots of use) I am putting lanisnoh on in between feeds.

Is this normal? Can only find stuff along the lines of 'if it hurts, you're not doing it right' and 'sore nipples aren't normal' and about treating cracked nipples on the internet.

Will bfeeding eventually be pain free? How long till I can expect that to be the case?

If you google Dr Jack Newman he recommends using breast shells and I brought the avent ones and they really do work. It shouldn't hurt but tbh it's always hurt me and still does. The shells give me the relief I need (even when they were cracked and bleeding).

Ooh I have him loaded in my favourites - won't link as I think there is a copyright someone on his page.

www.thebirthden.com/Newman.html#Video%20Clips

You can put Lansinoh before a feed too, it's ok for the baby and it helps lubricate the nipple a bit. I found that helped a lot.

Not a bf expert, but I think some women can have painful let down. From what I understand, it usually lasts for about the first 10 seconds of every feed. Often, women grow out of it.
How old is ds1? And do you just have pain at the beginning of a feed - or are your nipples sore all the time?

Hi Sterny

My let down pain did stop. Cant really remember when but it did! It was different from pain caused by sore nipples as (like you describe) it stopped quite soon after latching on.

Yes, it is normal in my experience. Probably exacerbated by the fact that you are mixed feeding so your nips aren't getting the chance to 'toughen up'. Breast sheilds will help but won't solve the problem. Some say putting surgical spirit on helps toughen them up. Not just before baby is to feed of course.

Oh and re pain free - well there are pros and cons. You may get mastitis, thrush, all manner of things including exhaustion, but the pros there too. You don't get nothing in life for free (pain free or otherwise) I'm afraid)

Just to clarify the pain that I am talking about is not the let-down, it is a different sort of pain, which subsides after about 10 seconds of feeding, after which feeding is not painful at all.

Ds is 5 months old. I was exclusive bfeeding for about 2 weeks, then exclusive expressing for about 3 months and then mixed feeding for the last little while (bit of a saga!) Desperate to get exclusive bfeeding established before I go back to work and have to give up for good.

I had real pain with ds and I was so stressed about wanting to bf and it not working. I had breast shields and a tried all sorts of remedies from the mid wife but I was in such agony that I was not enjoying my time with ds - because he wanted to feed so often I was dreading the next feed. When I eventually gave up at 3 months everything was so much better and the feelings of desperation and stress I had been having just went. When I had dd I had no trouble at all and bf her for 2 years.

It took a few weeks for me to be completely comfortable when feeding.
Persevere if you can.
I found Bonjela on my nipples (not on broken skin, though) helped numb things a bit
Good luck

I had exactly the same pain as you describe for the first few weeks of feeding; just at the beginning of each feed. It was also worse on one side. I can remember going'ow,ow,wo,ow' for about 30 seconds with my toes curled up because it REALLY hurt....but then it subsided for the rest of the feed. It had disappeared within the first month' 6 months on and the only pain I get is when dd decides to ease her painful gums by chomping my breasts rather than sucking....but that a whole different thread!

I used the teething gel solution when it was at its worst like previously suggested by deputymac.

Please ensure though that the position is perfect as if it isnt then it will not correct itself. I have supplied some contacts for BFing councellors;
LLL: 0845 120 2918
BFN: 0870 900 8787
NCT: 0870 444 8708
ABM: 0870 401 7711

I would also suggest Silverette to use for naturally healing the nipples or also to use as a preventative measure, i thought they were fantastic... i was completely healed within 48hours.

Hows things going Sterny?

BFing shouldn't hurt.. when the pain goes away it is the best thing in the world, until they are old enough to go.."MMMmmmm" after mummies milk - then thats the best thing in the world! Hang in there your doing a great job

Hi,

Things going well. Bought some of the silverette cups and they arrived today and been wearing them proudly ever since. Me and dh had a laugh trying to guess what we would think what they were if we didn't know - cymbals for a mouse's drumkit?

Think the soreness is improving, well it certainly hasn't got any worse today. It will take more than a bit of discomfort to put me off bfeeding anyway! Am now trying to decide whether to try and and carry on when I go back to work part-time, or give up when ds is six months.

Thanks for your concern

I would describe them like silver partially flattened thimbles... they are funny looking things i thought i could actually feel the relief as soon as i put them on.. and also could physically see my nipples heal everytime i took them off. I swear by them, have actually already packed them in my hosp bag for this time... just in case!