Nipples!

[dinny]

Ow, mine are looking ragged on day five. Am sure I have latch OK most of the time (hard cos have been bit engorged yesterday/today) MW comes tomorrow so can check. Just wondered if they just have to toughen up? One was`bleeding a bit earlier. Been using Lanisoh and breast shells. Do I just grit my teeth? Baby is doing lots of wet/dirty nappies so milk is going down and he seems to feed really well... Any advice for me? Thanks, Dinny.

your nipples do become less tender but the toe curling latch on can last for the first week or so. I think as long as the pain goes away when feeding, the baby is latched ok. try rubbing your nipples with breast milk. my nipples cracked with my second so i used nipple shields until they healed.

Ouch Dinny, I remember it well!! So long as the latch on is okay, then yes, they will "toughen up" - lansinoh is the best thing since chocolate in my opinion, I would have given up b/f by day 5 if not for that.
Hang on in there, it does take a little bit of time for the pain to settle particularly when you already have sore nipples - cos then, everytime you feed, it hurts them again, so its like they don't have time to heal in between feeds IYSWIM.
I remember being on here, sobbing about breastfeeding and how painful it was for me etc etc then one day I suddenly realised it didn't hurt anymore
The NCT have some good counsellors you can talk to too
Good luck, you are doing really well, give yourself some time and keep slapping that lansinoh on

Hi dinny,

it really hurts- I remember! My ds is now 7 months old and still bf for england!!

Lansinoh is great stuff...the other thing that I fuond really helped was sitting with no top on after a feed and letting lots of air get to my boobs- until the nipples seem to have dried out really well.

I also used a nipple sheild on one side for a couple of weeks- almost cracked nipple was painful enough for that. The best thing about the nipple sheild was that is helped me feel how breastfeeding would feel after the nipples had got a bit used to it..and gave me the determination to keep going...one totally helaed i stopped using the sheild and couldn't tell the difference!

Other than that- well done you...think i almost gave up on day four..but ds refused to take a bottle!!

Geordie

kamillosan and weleda calendolon ointment (amazing stuff)
hurt me too dinny but it gets better

Mine really hurt for the first 2-3 weeks. Lansinoh does help.
They've stopped hurting now at 5 weeks though and the breasts don't get so tight and full so latching on is easier. I can finally feed lying down too which is fab.
I must confess I did introduce a few bottles to give the nips a rest and that helped me get through. I still do at least one bottle a day so that dh can do a feed and because my boy is very hungry and I need a break from the all evening feeding sometimes! I know I should express but it's such a pain in the arse and takes so long.

it does improve- i promise. be careful of the nipple shells as you're not sorting the problem- just getting rid of the pain. put some of your milk on them when baby's finished, go topless round the house if you can adn wear cotton tops when you can. don't worry about a bra at this stage- sort yourself out first

weleda calendolon ointment
here
go to remedy finder on left click its on second table down hth

ps i found resting baby on u shaped cushion/pillow helped (they sell them specially but i ised a neck support pillow and it did the job)

Thanks everyone. Well, did all my night feeds lying down in bed last night. DS had a bit of trouble latching at firs but he soon took control and got himself on.

Have been topless for last two days and is really helping. One nipple is looking a LOT better and the other one is improving. Only one side hurts now really. It hasn't been bad enough for me to cry and am on day 6 today so fingers crossed. It is a lot better now engorged boobs are settling a bit. God, but it does make your toes curl, that initial latch, doesn't it? DD always seems to lunge at us just at that moment too - OW!!

Really good advice, everyone, thanks so much.

Have you tried the 'rugby ball' position. Ask your midwife to show you- I never liked it but apparently changing the baby's position so that he's not feeding the same every time- if you get what i mean- is meant to help sore nips. Maybe mears can explain it better but basically you have the baby under your arm (like a rugby ball) supported on a cushion and feed like that- hard for me to explain- ask midwife. Also use a triangular cushion to support the baby(don't waste money on branded one- do they have a local market near you- about £7) plus this'll come in really useful when baby's starting to sit up unaided but is still falling over (backwards a lot)

There's a picture of the rugby ball hold here .