very sore right nipple and now left getting bad too... DS 13 days old and i feel very down... please help

[Bicnod]

hello - i'm bf DS who is my first baby and am feeling very very down about it. my right nipple has been sore for a few days - i've been using lansinoh after every feed and using nipple guards because it hurts too much without. the nipple isn't cracked or bleeding but just really hurts right in the centre and is quite white in the middle. left nipple now feeling sore too. feeling very down as feel trapped in house as can't bf in public with nipple guards (fall off, DS knocks them etc). he has gained 8oz in a week so clearly getting enough...i want to perservere but will the pain go away soon/is this normal toughening up process? really need some reassurance... thanks x

hi bicnod, my advice would be to ring someone like the LLL or NCT and see if a breastfeeding counsellor can come and watch your DS feed.

it's sooooooo much better for someone to actually see you in the flesh because there are just tiny little things they can spot that can make all the difference.
i had pain with ds2 and all I needed to do was change the way I was holding him!

try putting a clean hot flannel over your breasts in the bath.

it does get better but see someone in case its something like blocked ducts / thrush.

if i call the nct bf helpline will they be able to arrange for someone to visit?

hopefully bicnod! sometimes it can be a little while, it depends who they have working in your area, and most BFC's are working voluntarily and usually have family/work commitments too.
but they will normally do their best to get someone to see you.

worth ringing NCT and LLL just so you have more options

If they can't come and see you there may well be a baby cafe or similar BF group that you can go to to get support.

Is your midwife or health visitor any use?

thanks thisisyesterday - I'll call them both tomorrow... just have to make it through tonight now

Bicnod you have nothing to lose by calling them now..they might be able to make a suggestion that makes an instant difference to you. A night can feel a looooong time!

Congratulations BTW

mw just said i was doing everything right (positioning etc) and nothing more i could do have been discharged from mw now and hv not coming til tues...

thanks provinciallady would they be open on a saturday?

bicnod, whilst I am sure your midwife is lovely and trying to help, the vast majority of midwives have very very little breastfeeding training.
so she may think that the latch and positioning look fine, but something could still be amiss.

and agree with calling nct/lll now.

Hi Bicnod - have you tried alternating the position you feed in at each feed? So try doing the rugby ball underarm position one feed, then the normal one next feed, on each breast?

It can give your nipple a break because the pressure is different, and it will help all the ducts drain properly as well.

HTH

hi WFH

i feed him either sitting up or lying on my side - can't seem to get hang of rugby ball position, whenever i try he kind of slips off my arm...

Yes they will be open now.

NCT line is 8am-10pm every day (0300 330 0771)

LLL is sort of 24 hours, every day, but they ask you to bear in mind that it is run by volunteers with families themselves (0845 120 2918)

Hi

My ds is now 6 weks old and I really struggled with the right nipple,and everyman and his dog has been out to see latch which seems to be perfect. I have had treatment for thrush and this does not make much difference.
I think its just one of them things in my case, although I would seek as much help as possible.

Ring LLL and NCT and they will give you advice over the phone, contact the hospital for the breast feeding counsellor.

Hope you feel better, its really hard, but I hope you persevere x

Bicnod I can only do rugby ball with a feeding cushion. Try putting a sofa cushion under your arm and lying the baby on it, and they sort of come at your nipple from underneath, almost.

hope bf helpline can help xxxx

thanks so much for all the advice - i think the problem is compounded by the fact that i can't sit upright at the mo because stitches still really sore hopefully that will fix itself soon...

thanks WFH - will try again with cushion...

Oh Bicnod you poor thing I remember that feeling so well (unfortunately!). Are they c-section stitches or ahem, fanjo stitches? If the latter then you can put Vagisil (about £5 from the chemist) on them - it's anaesthetic cream and safe for BF. It was a godsend for me with DS2.

Feeding lying down may also offer a different position & pull on the nipple in a different way. This could be helpful if you are uncomfortable sitting.
Takes a bit of getting organised (DH helped me the first few times, need to get your underneath arm up out of the way and then feels like you can't hold the baby near enough!) but so much more relaxing than sitting up.

While you are waiting to talk to/see someone, have you checked out the very good websites eg. www.drjacknewman.com has lots of advice on latch, position etc including videos.

Good luck!

bicnod try to call now or whenever you need to. they have trained for it and so there is every reason to disturb them (maybe not in night though)

the latter... and have finished the voltarol they sent me home with will look into getting some vagisil, thanks provlady... most of the stitches are internal though (remained mainly intact on the outside but second degree tear on the inside) x

thanks catilla - I've been feeding lying on my side at night which has been pretty successful (although DS always bashes off nipple guard at least 3 times before latching on!) - it is much more comfy than sitting up - might start doing it on the sofa as well during the day until able to sit up properly...

thanks fishie - i think i'll call them tomorrow as feeling a bit tired and emotional at the moment and don't really want to blub at them... i'll make it through tonight now that i have a plan to call tomorrow and try to arrange to see someone...

thanks for all the posts - it really helps to know there is this support available when feeling down x

Hi Bicnod

I remember the same thing happening with my first one. The mw said everything was fine but it got more and more painful. I figured out myself in the end that DDs mouth wasn't wide enough when he was going on and the nipple was rubbing up against the roof of his mouth on the hard palate.

Anyway I agree with the other posters try and see if you can ring one on the helplines and see what they say, there really is nothing like actually having someone there to check your latch for you.

Also I hope you feel better down there soon, I remember that pain all too well!

Keep us updated and let us know if you don't manage to get it sorted

Thanks everyone for your support - I'm waiting to hear back from a local NCT breastfeeding counsellor about whether I can go and visit her and get some advice. Little Oscar has been feeding practically non-stop these past 24 hours - the MW said they have a growth spurt around 2 weeks so I reckon he must be growing like mad... I'm trying really hard not to dread every feed fingers crossed the NCT counsellor will get back to me - I'll let you know how it goes x