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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

What does breastfeeding feel like in the early days?

19 replies

StolenCookie · 28/09/2022 12:06

Hi everyone,

My DS is 4/5 weeks old. Like most people who have experienced painful breastfeeding, I initially experienced an excruciating letdown on the latch. This has mostly gone for me, but the actual sucking/tugging can still feel quite tender on my breast/areola. Is this normal? Everyone seems to say that breastfeeding should basically feel like ‘nothing’ but I’m 5 weeks in and even after the letdown it definitely feels like strong tugging and his gums can feel quite scratchy.

I’m trying to get as deep a latch as possible. It looks good from what I can see. I’m just wondering if the completely painless breastfeeding (throughout the whole feed) is something that may still come with time?

OP posts:
Lunabun · 28/09/2022 12:10

I had pretty much the worst breastfeeding experience I could have imagined. I had the most damaged nipples my GP and midwives had ever seen. Flat-ish nipples and a tongue tie were the two main issues causing problems but there were loads more.

Even I managed to get to a stage where breastfeeding was essentially pain free Smile hang in there! X

alphasox · 28/09/2022 12:12

What you are feeling sounds perfectly normal to me. The important things are:
You might feel a bit uncomfortable (it lasted until nearly 12 weeks with mine before it was totally pain free) If you start to get unbearable pain that doesn't go away after let down or get any bleeding / cracked or sore nipples, then it's a problem.

Have you got a bf group nearby? NCT, La Leche League, the old Children's centres etc - it is always so helpful to chat through experiences with other mums.

Miniforce · 28/09/2022 12:12

I'm not sure if this is normal but personally I found it quite uncomfortable for quite a while. Partly because it was really difficult to get the latch right in the early days and even when it improved my nipples didn't have time to recover in between feeds. It's just relentless in the early days!

If you can I'd highly recommend seeing a lactation consultant. I had a great one who spent 2 hours with me at home and then followed up a few times via phone and email. Health visitors can help too but private consultants can give you more time.

Miniforce · 28/09/2022 12:16

lcgb.org/find-an-ibclc/

Lincs90 · 28/09/2022 13:46

It sounds like you've done such a great job to get to this stage. My experience was that it got to about 8 weeks before pain free and I managed to go on until baby was 2 with no major issues after that. The first 8 weeks were tough and painful.

I didn't see a lactation consultant, but that would be a great option if you can.

Hopefully you're reassured by all these experiences. I hope it feels better for you soon.

TiredButAlive · 28/09/2022 13:57

Took me 8 weeks with my first and 5 weeks with my second for BF to be pain free but then it was easy. It's really worth hanging on in there!

Original poster
StolenCookie · 28/09/2022 14:00

Thanks everyone.. I appreciate the replies!

So is it normal that it’s not just the initial letdown that is uncomfortable? The rest of the feed isn’t anywhere near as bad but it’s certainly not the ‘relaxing’ ‘nothing’ sensation that everyone seems to describe on other threads. Still feels quite strongly tugging and a bit pinchy.

I’m just convinced I must be doing it wrong and feeling very depressed about the idea of ‘failing’ at breastfeeding :(

OP posts:
Hugasauras · 28/09/2022 14:03

I wouldn't say it's ever felt like 'nothing' for me with either DC. I can still feel the gentle tugging as they suck. I don't find it painful or even uncomfortable though, I'm just aware of it taking place and as a sensation.

Miniforce · 28/09/2022 14:04

That sounds normal in that lots of people experience it, but it probably is worth getting some help with your baby's latch.

And please please please do not feel like you're failing! You have done an amazing job to get this far, and even if you end up moving onto bottles that's not a failure. If you're doing whatever is best for you and your baby, you're succeeding x

Hugasauras · 28/09/2022 14:05

But that's only after the first 8 weeks or so - earlier than that it was uncomfortable at times, even painful with both. But DD is 3mo now and it's painless, but I am still aware of her latching and the sucking sensation.

MoreThanRubies · 28/09/2022 14:59

I’m 19 months in. Once feeding was established (7 weeks plus), I would describe it to others like this:
Pinch your bottom earlobe between your finger and thumb, hard. Then pull repeatedly. So, not “nothing”, but not actively painful.
We’ve then gone through short phases where it did actively hurt, most recently when DD hadn’t got used to having teeth.

Ifiwasabird · 28/09/2022 15:08

I'm at a very similar stage to you - DS is 4 weeks old. At first it was agony especially on the initial latch. Sometimes it's still sore initially as he draws out my nipple but mostly now it's pain free. I can still feel a tugging sensation and, depending on the latch, it can still be uncomfortable for the whole feed but generally now it's fine. I don't think you're doing it wrong - everyone's anatomy is different and I think for some women it can be sore for longer.

Lunabun · 28/09/2022 17:49

StolenCookie · 28/09/2022 14:00

Thanks everyone.. I appreciate the replies!

So is it normal that it’s not just the initial letdown that is uncomfortable? The rest of the feed isn’t anywhere near as bad but it’s certainly not the ‘relaxing’ ‘nothing’ sensation that everyone seems to describe on other threads. Still feels quite strongly tugging and a bit pinchy.

I’m just convinced I must be doing it wrong and feeling very depressed about the idea of ‘failing’ at breastfeeding :(

I don't know whether that's normal exactly and I echo advice to see if you can get to a lactation consultant- but whether it's normal or not, I definitely experienced that too so you're not alone at least!

alternating · 28/09/2022 18:03

I found it pretty dreadful despite no obvious issues with latch etc.
I found hydrogel breast pads really helped with pain on latch and the sore letdown feeling passed by about 12 weeks when baby was taking more of a feed and going longer between feeds.

Hyggeandhugs · 28/09/2022 18:04

Is it possible you have a little bit of thrush on your nipples? That can sometimes cause pain like you described, especially that let down pain?

RidingMyBike · 28/09/2022 18:05

I found it uncomfortable for quite a while, although actually painful wore off within first few weeks. It never became something I enjoyed doing (BF for 3.5 years in the end, although 50% formula in first year). I still find it a bit mystifying that it's meant to be enjoyable!

I ended up limiting BFs just to make it easier to cope with.

ElizabethBest · 28/09/2022 18:07

Like dipping your nipples in acid and then rubbing them on a cheese grater. DS was not a master of the latch!

weirdfeelingwhat · 28/09/2022 18:08

Toe curling is how I'd describe it for the first 6 weeks at least.

Are you sure you've got the latch right. A friend who is a midwife always said nose to nipples so they're going straight on rather than tugging from below and it did seem to help.

legalseagull · 28/09/2022 20:11

Agony for about a month. Like being cut. Took about a month for that to pass and a few weeks to be completely comfortable

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