First time breast feeder . Questions, please help!

[Fabulousshoes]

Hi there

DD is 1 week old today and breast feeding has been going really well so far. I am pretty certain the attachment is good but my only problem is when she first goes on, the pain is searing for about the first 5 - 10 seconds (not long I know but long enough!)
After that its ok.
Just wanted to know if this is normal and does it last forever?
Also do nipples 'toughen up'??
Mine are looking a bit cracked but not bleeding or anything else and I am using Lansinoh cream.
I did call one of the helplines today but couldn't get through and I really want to make bf a success!
Thks.

Hello, I have two DS who I fed for first four months, wanted to do longer....but don't think milk could keep up with their needs.

Initially with DS1 I had the pain you described and think its completely normal. Took a couple of weeks for pain to completely go and nipples toughen up. Then BF was an absolute pleasure - only time I got a chance to sit down! I used to rub my milk round my nipples, v soothing. Make sure you are lifting and slightly pushing babe into your nipple. My SIl had v sore nipples as babe trying to latch up from too far away.

Good luck and congrats on DD. S x

Congratulations!

Yes, that's normal. I can't actually remember how long it lasts for two or three weeks, maybe? but it does go.

My nipples never cracked, so I can't comment directly on that.

That sounds about right to me, if the pain is only lasting 10 seconds then going it would seem that the latch is good. I remember biting down on a pillow everytime ds1 and 2 latched on in the first couple of weeks!

I had this with all of mine. I think it lasts about 2 weeks so you are halfway there. Nipples really do toughen up a lot.

hello yes it doea get less painful , i was in agony for first 3 weeks nipples sure do toughen up 2nd child was no prob

weleda calendulon ointment good for nips (gooogle) as is chamillosan

Congrats! I had this too - really painful but only for a short time as you describe. It eased by about 2 weeks and had gone completely by 3. Agree with Scoutandjem - that my own milk seemed to sort out any minor cracking as well as any cream. But after the first couple of weeks I didn't have any bother.

Yup, I had exactly what you describe too. The good news is that it was gone by about three weeks.

Well done so far! I used to have painful let down in my right breast...I used to tense up and pull her right into my breast so she probably couldn't breathe! V painful. But passed eventually...I'm thinking weeks...but its only for seconds...cracked nipples are worse...

If your attachment is right yes they do toughen up. Try using your own milk rather than lansioh cream. First time round it took mine 2 weeks to toughen up.

Good luck with continuing...don't forget about the growth spurts...6 days, 10 days, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 4 months or something like that where they can feed constantly over a 24/48hr period to boost your supply. Can be a bit disheartening esp when you get breasts like pancakes at end but after a day or so they reinflate with the extra milk supplies...

Keep going I am a breastfeeding mentor, as the others have said yes your nipples do toughen up one of the best things for sore nipples is to put a bit of breastmilk on your nipples and let it dry sound mad but it works. as time goes on it does get easier keep up your skin to skin between you it the best think and feels so lovely to bond.

OP,I'm going to go against the tide and say any pain needs to be checked out.

True a lot of mums have some discomfort at the beginning but equally it could also be something else.

Could you ask your midwife to watch her feed and see what see thinks ? Or is there a local breastfeeding support group you could visit ? Or try the support telephone numbers again.

happyevent, Can I be nosey and ask what a breastfeeding mentor is ? Sounds interesting...maybe a breastfeeding peer supporter ?!?