4 day old baby - my nipples are sooooo sore

[ketchupkisses]

Title says it all really. The baby is latching on successfully and feeding well but he doesn't open his mouth very wide so achieves the latch via a couple of good old chews on my nipples. They are bleeding, and he is coughing up a bit of blood. I'll ask the midwife about that tomorrow, but I have no reason to believe it is anything other than the blood from my nipples.

I have Lansinoh cream which is great at sticking my nipples back together again, but has anyone got any other tips? How can I encourage ds to open his mouth wider before latching on?

try jelonet gauze as well the midwife should be able to give you some or a prescription

sometimes you just have to wait a bit for their mouth to get a bit bigger try looking at kellymom.com they have some good videos

I know how you feel both times with my dcs I had a good latch and sore nips it does get better so hang in ther you are doing a great job

Would nipple shields help? They can be used for a short time and got me through a similar painful time.

get your mw to have a really goodlook for a tongue tie - even a v mild one. it can make getting the 'right' latch just about impossible, or at least unlikely. and that leads to v painful nips.

once its going right, bf truly DOESNT hurt (IME)...

BUT many mnay helth care peeops do not check for tongue tie and have a policy of not doing anything about it even if they do find it. if she looks and finds even the slightest bit there, come back and post cox there ARE things, very easy, quick and instantly fixing (and painless to baby and you) things to be done to make it go away. just like that!

is a line of enquiry, anyhow.

Message withdrawn

Tongue tie good to look into.

I had the same problem and I was told that when he opened his mouth just to gently pull his chin down a bit so it's wider.

I basically coped (crying everytime he latched on) till my nipples got tougher, once he was latched there was actually no pain.

I was always told to hold tummy to tummy and nipple to nose and once he smells the milk he opnes his mouth and searches for your nipple to go in his mouth. When my ds's mouth was wide open I would shove it in!

Have you tried savoy cabbage to put on your boobs between feeds? Get a whole cabbage and just pop a cold refreshing leaf (keep it in the fridge) in your bra. It has some magical properties in it that sooths sore nipples - I promise it worked for me 2 times! Also double as a breast pad , hope it gets better!

Stick with it, when u get the hang of it the most wonderful experience ever. There is a tube of cream (purple) cant remember the name but it gives instant releif. Let as much air at them as possible. Good luck. U are doing a great job..

Thanks this is all really helpful. I've just been reading up on tongue tie, which definitely seems a possibility. His tongue doesn't look very big and my nipples have a white "compression line" after a feed. I'll ask the midwife tomorrow.

I remember being sore around this time with ds2 but only for the first few gulps and only for a couple of days until my nipples toughened up.

Blimin' midwife never showed up today! Means I can't go to the breastfeeding support group tomorrow because I'll be waiting around for the midwife. Hope she helps. I'm in agony. No bleeding anymore, but still in agony nonetheless. Funny, I thought third time round I'd be a pro at this, but they are all so different.

Can anyone suggest any ways of getting the baby to open his mouth more? I saw the midwife yesterday who said he doesn't have tongue tie. She showed me how to use my nipple to brush his bottom lip open. It sort of works a bit, but not really. I don't see her again until friday, so I'd like to try any other tricks anyone can suggest?

Thanks!

Can you try and squeeze your nipple down (one finger above and one below) so that more gets into DS's mouth? Its something I do sometimes - 3rd time around I expect you have already tried that though!

after feeding rub a bit of your milk on the nipples then keep them uncovered for a while (you might want to turn the heating off while you are walking round topless ). They wont heal unless they dry in the air and the milk is antibiotic.

ON - heating on. Off would be a silly thing to do!

You poor thing.

I've only had one baby so I'm not pleased to hear it'll be sore to to bf again.

I had to change postions on every feed. Lying down, rugby ball and sitting up. Best one was pile up 5 pillows, put dd on top and lean over her.

Good Luck

Thanks. The walking around topless is a separate issue. I've had a constant stream of in-laws staying, making it impossible. Some of them help and others just fall asleep on the sofa meaning that I can't even use all the cushions for feeding. Its driving me mad.

Good news is we're alone today and older two boys are at holiday club and nursery, so looking forward to just experimenting with different positions and possibly even getting some sleep.