I am enjoying doing the right thing by my babies - but really, really struggling with the pain. It seems to go in phases - going through a very painful phase just now...
Very occasionally, the 'really painful' (toe-curlingly, teeth-grittingly, try not to yell out because it hurts so much) bit only lasts a minute or so with one DT. I can see how it might become better - this is encouraging.
The other DT is very small and has a painful latch even when he's doing it 'right' (big bbs and very small mouth).
I have had and still have amazing support from an NCT bf consultant and an NHS bf supporter. They have observed lots of feeds and are happy with the latch. Babies are both gaining weight rapidly and loads of wet and dirty nappies.
I've tried everything to get DT2 to latch more comfortably, but the dimensions of mouth vs my huge nipple seem to make it impossible. Even with a really wide gape, he only gets the nipple and a little bit of areola in - and even then he is 'chewing' on the edges of the nipple. I am now trying to feed them separately so I can concentrate on their latch individually.
But basically, 3 weeks in and exclusively breastfeeding (16+ feeds per day), it is still agony nearly all the time (bad enough it makes me cry), I dread feeds and my bbs and especially nipples are so sensitive that I can't let anything touch them except a good supportive bra once they are coated with lashings of lansinoh.
Practical advice would be great, but actually what I think I need is some reassurance that things will improve.... (and an idea of when this might happen...)
Many thanks in advance.