painful nipples - help needed before I give up

[RosieStrachs]

help - breast-feeding now for seven weeks but it's very sore throughout - and throbbing afterwards. Have been using lanisoh cream and been to two feeding workshops - the midwives say the technique is right, but that he's just got a powerful tug. So down that even they can't seem to help me. Can't face giving up but dread each feed. Can anyone recommend other tips / consultants to see? Reading clare byam-cook's book, but despite doing everything instructed, still painful. Is it really true that it doesn't need to hurt or is this just a pain to bear for six months? :-(

I was in agony for about 8 weeks I think, and dreaded each feed. Then my dsis recommended Kamillosan cream, and the pain went in a couple of days. Don't know if it was coincidence, but the relief....

I slapped on the cream really generously, then wore breastpads, so the nipple was in constant contact with the cream (and so it didn't stain my tops).

I sympathise with you, it's truly miserable. FWIW, I went on to BF my dd until she was 18 months and it didn't hurt at all

Good luck!

Don't know if you're usin breastpads, but the washable cotton ones are better as they don't absorb your natural body oils and are less irritating.

It's probably worth trying the creams, but I'd suggest speaking to a bf counsellor - mws are not always best placed to advise on latch.
I've been told my latch was fine when my DD was only sucking on the end of the nipple, and was snatching at it without opening her mouth wide enough.
I suffered agonies until a bf counsellor reminded me about teasing and aiming nipple to roof of mouth, amongst other things I'd also forgotten.
If the mws can't help you, find someone else who will - because there will be someone who can.

Is it toe-curlingly sore when the baby latches on but then just a dull more bearable pain throughout the feed? If so, I've been there and survived having bf all 3 DC. I found that it really helped during the feed to visualise the 'let down' as a soothing flow like a river washing over me. I imagined that helped the endorphins kick in and 'wash away' the pain. That first initial pain will persist as long as your nipples are cracked/chapped. Kamillosan for me too, lots of it, right up until the last second before a feed (quickly wiped it off with a tissue). Hope this helps. Best of luck .

thx - will try that different cream and a bit of visualisation - midwives' advise varies so much but another bf cousellor a good idea too - thx

ps. the books say, if it hurts at all, you're doing it wrong - but I just don't believe that - everyone i have spoken to says it hurts a bit (and is toe-curlingly bad when they first latch on) - is this another middle class parenting myth, much like natural childbirth being a beautiful experience??

DS latch improved when I became bolder at shoving the nipple into his face before he closed his mouth too much. Hesitation when you're expecting pain is understandable, but it made his latch shallow.
Also, I shape my boob, and then sort of roll the nipple into his mouth to get it in deep.

After 9 1/2 months I don't really think about it when I'm doing it, but I was in pain for nearly 8 weeks.

Try different things. It does get better!

I had a really tough time for ages- I went on this thread and there was some excellent advice that came from it- it's a bit long and rambly and deals a lot with thrush (which hopefully you don't have) but there are loads of good tips on positioning as well.

I tried everything- in the end I ditched all creams (no research to say they help, only anecdotal stuff), pillows and just persevered.

Trust me, it does get better, it really does. I still have low-level thrush which flares up now and again but god, it's like heaven compared to those tough times. You can do it! MN is a fantastic support.
x

i was in agony for about 10 weeks (shallow latch) but am really glad i persevered. DS now 7 months and it's a piece of cake.

I never thought I'd be saying that! I was counting the days to 6 months but am now past that and see no reason to stop.

It was SO stressful at the time so I do feel for you. i never really got good help from anyone (though I tried several avenues such as LLL) - DS and I just eventually got in sync and his latch improved as he got older.

hang in there!

Just to reiterate what many of mumsnet ladies have already said - I experienced great pain for almost the first few months (mastitis, then thrush), I resorted to pumping (fantastic idea, I got a Avent IQ double pump and find I can get about 5 ounces in about 10 mins on average, this seems common according to reviews i've read online), and a nipple shield (Medela) too. I'm back to breastfeeding naturally again, but I must confess after a tough evening of cluster feeding with a windy unsettled baby (pulling on and off - ouch!) two nights ago I had to pump and use the nipple shield for a day while my nipples healed, but i'm back to doing it "naked" again now and things are fine. I was also counting down the six months, but i'm really enjoying it now and want to carry on for as long as I can.

I've never head of kamillosan, is it really more effective than lanisoh, as this is what i've been using.

I completely agree that if you've only seen midwives you absolutely need to see someone with more specialist bf training. A bfc or an LC. Even if you have to pay lactation consultant fees it could still work out cheaper than a switch to formula. But hopefully you have a baby cafe or access to a counsellor locally. Whereabouts are you?

Have you had someone do a thorough check for tongue-tie?
What is the damage like on your nipples? Can you describe where the cracks are? What shape is your nipple on exit?

If latch is 'perfect' then tongue thrust is a possibility. Basically baby using their tongue in an unhelpful way. There are exercises that can encourage a baby to use their tongue correctly that a bfc/ LC/ LLL leader can talk you through. However a poor latch or positioning issue is much more likely. Even if you've already seen several midwives it's still a possibility. Midwife training in bfing is incredibly patchy. I am a bfc and in the drop-in I volunteer it we had a mum turn up after 6 weeks of agony and intense midwife support and it was obviously a tongue-tie issue which we could all see within 2 minutes. I am not saying that this is your problem but just to illustrate simple stuff can be missed.
Even a call to a bfc on a helpline where they can talk through your damage and use your nipple like a map to see what's going on with positioning can be a help.

When you say 'throbbing afterwards' are you getting any deeper sharp breast pain after a feed or is it just around the nipple?

Thanks for advice - I went to see a breast-feeding counsellor who was brilliant and showed my how to relax properly, shape the nipple and adjust the baby's position for my comfort. I now enjoy it and I never thought I'd say that!

i had serious pain for about 10 weeks, resorted to nipple sheilds till the cracks healed up, Avent Silicone ones were great. Went on to feed for 14 months. I hope things get better oh my dd has a tongue tie which may be have been our problem

I had lots of pain from day one of BF and I nearly gave up but it does hurt and no one tells you this, but it does get better,a friend of mine said it is when your boobs thoughen up!! She isn't a midwife or a doctor, a physio but i think it may make sense!..{wink}