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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Breastfeeding troubles! So much pain!

41 replies

mammaF16 · 28/03/2022 20:58

I am breastfeeding my DD she is just over a week old. I have severe cracked nipples and the pain is excruciating when she latches.

I am looking for some hints or tips to help to continue on. I really want to breastfeed her but the pain at times is too much.

Any help appreciated,

From a distressed mummy

OP posts:
123xanadu · 28/03/2022 21:13

Have you tried putting on nipple cream such as Lansinoh?

HappyGoLuckyLuLu · 28/03/2022 21:16

Yes to the nipple cream - put some on after every feed. Hold the nipple near where baby latches so you can move it around a bit if needed & don't be shy about moving baby's mouth a bit to get a better latch. The first few days or maybe week are agony initially but that does go away. Hold on and keep going with it if you can as it does get better and becomes such a lovely intimate thing - still think back on those days and remember their wee eyes peeking up and hands reaching out while they nurse.

SpaghettiNotCourgetti · 28/03/2022 21:17

Multi-Mam compresses, keeping her latched as much as possible to spare yourself the transition, and, if you can, patience, I'm afraid. I used to count, slowly and through gritted teeth, until it stopped hurting. I used to get to twenty five, then twenty, then fifteen, and then I gradually stopped needing to do it at all until it was all fine after about three weeks.

But it can be shit at first - so much sympathy for you.

NewtoHolland · 28/03/2022 21:20

The national breastfeeding helpline are really good.
Google the flipple technique that really helped me understand how to get a deeper latch with my first. When she latched shallow I had really sore cracked nipples like you but they did heal and we got through it, huge hugs as it's excruciating at the time!!
Lansinoh is great and cabbage leaves soothed mine too. My sister used silver nipple caps which she felt really helped too.

Trinacham · 28/03/2022 21:20

Ah, I remember the first couple of weeks! I was so sore and my nipples scabbed. The lanisoh cream got me through, and I did also use nipple shields when it got so painful in the middle of the night (not supposed to use them without guidance I think but I was desperate, and it saved me from giving up that night!). 9 weeks on and the pain is forgotten. Good luck!

pinguwings · 28/03/2022 21:22

Get the latch checked ASAP, could be an undiagnosed tongue or lip tie. In the mean time look at the "flipple" technique on YouTube, essentially you want your nipple on the roof of babies mouth, no where near that rough little tongue.

Whoever is checking the latch, make sure they check you for thrush. There is brilliant info on la leche league or Kelly mom websites.

Keep boobs out and away from any clothing. There are nipple medicated plasters your can buy.

Nipple shields may be worth a try.

CanIHaveASnaaaaak · 28/03/2022 21:27

I desperately wanted to BF, but the pain and fear of pain was too much.
Fed is best, and baby needs a happy mum.
I was stubborn and desperate to soldier through, all that happened was I was sat on the sofa, tits hanging out and I was sobbing. Hubby was prepared for this and had sterilised bottles and premix ready, waiting for me to agree to formula before forcing the issue (he says he was a max of a day away from just telling me we were moving to formula).

It was the best thing for all of us, I was happier, my breasts weren’t in 27/7 pain, baby was fed and it allowed us to share feeding responsibility so I could get some rest.

Mocca8 · 28/03/2022 21:30

Oh bless you I feel your pain....literally ....been there 3 times. All mine were tongue tied I'm sure they might have checked at hospital bit can be missed. If it is feeding will be a challenge. I had all 3 of mine snipped and it got more comfortable. Don't stress you are also very fresh and they will need to toughen up. Agree get latch looked at, mention to your midwife/health visitor you are struggling, again I went to feeding clinics (local free ones at weigh in centres usually) with all mine as all latched differently. I never wanted to not give it a good go. I'd say latch and could be pinching slightly... definitely recommend lansinoh nipple cream it's the best one out there more expensive but lasts and works! You will get there it's such early days and it's a learning curve for both of you and it isn't easy but it does get do much easier I promise 🙏 enjoy your beautiful newborn and good luck x

Barleysugar85 · 28/03/2022 21:30

Oh OP I remember this. I dreaded breastfeeding for the first month. It was fine after that but ouch. I feel for you. Gritted teeth and knowing it would go soon was all that got me through. I found some relief in pumping and doing some feeds from a bottle.

Upupupintheair · 28/03/2022 21:33

@CanIHaveASnaaaaak

I desperately wanted to BF, but the pain and fear of pain was too much. Fed is best, and baby needs a happy mum. I was stubborn and desperate to soldier through, all that happened was I was sat on the sofa, tits hanging out and I was sobbing. Hubby was prepared for this and had sterilised bottles and premix ready, waiting for me to agree to formula before forcing the issue (he says he was a max of a day away from just telling me we were moving to formula).

It was the best thing for all of us, I was happier, my breasts weren’t in 27/7 pain, baby was fed and it allowed us to share feeding responsibility so I could get some rest.

This... 100%. Fed is best.
florianfortescue · 28/03/2022 21:36

God it's awful isn't it. I am two weeks in with a newborn and it's still excruciating. This is my second baby so I know it will get better for me in a few weeks.

The only way for me is using nipple shields, and applying Lansinoh liberally after every feed. Lots of time with bra off where possible too. Nipple shells are also quite useful for keeping your bra from rubbing your nips.

God speed. It's bloody tough I know!

thebigpurpleone · 28/03/2022 21:37

Mam nipple shields

Twizbe · 28/03/2022 21:38

Lots of nipple cream.

What helped me was someone saying it's like wearing in new shoes. Once the nipples are used to it they stop hurting. I found both times about 2 weeks in a layer of skin came off the top and it stopped hurting.

FTEngineerM · 28/03/2022 21:39

Yeah, nobody mentions it pre baby because nobody would even try 😂

It’s painful a f.

It does end.

ChocolateEmergency · 28/03/2022 21:39

I can only echo what others have said. Firstly, lansinoh cream is definitely the best. Then call your health visitors, they should come out and give your support. I needed to on my second child despite successfully feeding my first for 8months. I was told I had almost everything right with my technique, I just wasn’t being forceful enough with getting baby on. The toe curling pain disappeared almost immediately after that.

Also, nipple shields are frowned upon but they are the sole reason I continued feeding my first. I couldn’t stand the pain anymore. Ignore what others say, do what is right for you and baby.

twinkletwixkle · 28/03/2022 21:39

God i feel you !!!

No one tells you the pain you'd get breastfeeding did they lol !!!
Nipple cream was a god send and regular pumping helped to- I got mastitis when I first breastfed and it was so so painful. I was bleeding when pumping in the end so yes regular pumping and massaging to prevent this and to keep the flow going to help the supply !! The glass scratching your nipples feeling soon eases
It does get easier eventually I promise and it becomes magical, I cannot wait to do it again and I wish I did it sooner ❤️ x

Twizbe · 28/03/2022 21:39

@CanIHaveASnaaaaak

I desperately wanted to BF, but the pain and fear of pain was too much. Fed is best, and baby needs a happy mum. I was stubborn and desperate to soldier through, all that happened was I was sat on the sofa, tits hanging out and I was sobbing. Hubby was prepared for this and had sterilised bottles and premix ready, waiting for me to agree to formula before forcing the issue (he says he was a max of a day away from just telling me we were moving to formula).

It was the best thing for all of us, I was happier, my breasts weren’t in 27/7 pain, baby was fed and it allowed us to share feeding responsibility so I could get some rest.

While fed is totally best, why is it when a woman asks for help with breastfeeding someone always comes along and tells her to stop breastfeeding?
headspin10 · 28/03/2022 21:42

Oh no, I remember this! Excruciating at first, I also used nipple shields to stop me giving up- didn't seem to cause any problems and I stopped using them as soon as I could.

After first two weeks things were much better and then not at all sore. Good luck!

PartyPlan · 28/03/2022 21:50

What everyone else said. Promise it does get better if you stick with it and both you and baby will reap the benefits. I second the counting technique. Once they latch big deep breaths, count in your head, try to relax, loosen your shoulders, circle your feet round and round to take your mind away from your nipples. If you have any breastfeeding support locally then use it. Have a look at the rugby ball hold and how to feed lying down (this needs larger breasts IMO!). Good luck!

Pinkchicken85 · 28/03/2022 22:16

It shouldn’t be painful OP. Please see someone asap to check for latch and tongue tie, or even thrush. It’s very painful! I’ve BF both DS, first time around it was painful and relentless for the first 2 months, my 2nd I had mild discomfort for a week or two but then it was fine. 2nd has his slight tongue tie clipped within days of him being born…DS1 didn’t.
Keep your boobs clean and dry. You don’t want any bacteria profiting from the cracks.
I washed mine with fem fresh too.
I searched through old emails to find the name of a product here in France that helped, my mid wife recommended it to me here. It’s honey based which is antimicrobial, so it’s good at reducing infections. I smeared it on after a feed and covered over the nipple with cling film. It’s
Melicare Gel cicatrisant à l’acide hyaluronique 30g
Good luck OP it’s tough!

Pinkchicken85 · 28/03/2022 22:26

Forgot to say try different positions OP if you haven’t already. Lying down on my side worked for me. The Madonna pose only worked when they were strong enough to move their heads a little.

CanIHaveASnaaaaak · 28/03/2022 22:28

@twizbe I fully support BF and wanted to do it myself. Sometimes we need people to suggest we stop. It shouldn’t hurt, and other advice has been given. Nowhere have I told OP to stop, merely retold my story and highlighted the benefits.

I’m sure OP will be reading all comments and be seeing all comments for and against.

GrannyPantsAreGreat · 28/03/2022 22:28

I could only manage with nipple shields. It's not an ideal solution but it was vital for me as I found it so painful. Someone else has already mentioned the MAM ones, absolute god send I found.
Best of luck OP Flowers

MysteryBandit85 · 28/03/2022 22:33

I feel your pain. For me, it did get better and was well worth it in the end. With my second, I took paracetamol and ibuprofen religiously for a couple of weeks until it got better. That helped take the edge off a bit.

Okeydoky · 28/03/2022 22:36

You need to see a specialist lactation consultant known as an IBCLC if you haven't already. Midwives can and do miss tongue ties and they can cause this pain.

Multiple midwives missed my son's tongue tie but when we finally got it sorted things instantly improved

Does your local area have a feeding service, or could you afford to pay privately? (I paid about £150 in London to give an idea of cost).

I'd throughly recommend the National Breastfeeding Helpline and your local La Leche League for free specialist support.