Is it true the latch still hurts even though its fine?!

[Little2late]

First time BF, I had a c section and breastfed from the get go. First two nights was tedious and PAINFUL. He had 1oz of forumla as I was not giving him enough. 2 days have passed and the milk is fully in. He is latching on fine and if it hurts too much I remove the latch and start again.

Last night he woke up at 2am I done one breast and winded him. Was crying and wouldnt settle, give him my other breast and repeated. At 5am I finally give in and made formula for him(1oz). He has had loads of good wet nappies and poo ones. I am putting on lansinoh after every feed which is a god sent

Will this pain improve or am I doing it completely wrong, i feel so frustrated that I can't give him what he wants fully

But you are giving him what he wants! They feed a LOT to start with as this 'tells' your body how much milk to produce, and they also suck for comfort. It doesn't mean you're not producing enough milk. Small babies are usually really fussy at night, this is totally normal and will calm down once he's a bit older. It's actually a survival instinct - babies feel much safer in your arms so often don't want to be put down when it's dark!

Even with the correct latch, I found breastfeeding was quite painful for the first couple of weeks until my nipples got used to it - keep using the nipple cream! But please stop worrying that you're not providing what your baby needs - he is so tiny and all he wants is to be held and fed by you at the moment. It's knackering but it will pass!

I also found it painful at first. I didn't know it till afterwards but baby 1 just suckled for comfort. (Add to that a baby low on weight percentile- in terms of gaining - so stress from HV and partner. - he's now 13 and taller than me but still skinny). Just relax as you are doing great. If you can avoid top ups it will help you make the right amount of milk. You are doing great

(It was also a little painful for a few weeks with 2 and 3 - but nothing like the swollen, sore, bleeding of 1)

Totally normal and it will pass. I'm feeding my third DS at the minute (he's just 2 weeks old) and I'm just coming out the other side of the initial latching on pain.

Get your mw to check your hold/baby's latch and keep going. Like a pp says, baby just wants to be in your arms and snuggled up. My DS is either feeding from me or sleeping on me at the moment but I'm just enjoying it while it lasts 😊

Thank you everyone, I feel a blubbering mess! I hope it improves after a while. Hes latched on lovely now with no pain just the normal tugging. Breastfeeding is more than just feeding! Its a wonderful experience

It takes a few days for your nipples to get used to it! As long as there are no sores or blisters on your nipples it should get easier in the next days.

Also, with all of my kids, in the day or two after my milk came in it was "the crying day" - being a blubbering mess is quite normal as well!!

Even if you have no latch issues I think it’s rare to have no pain at all. I had sore nipples for a few days with both of mine, it’s just friction whilst your nipples get used to it.