Running and breastfeeding

[SmileItsSeasonal]

Not at the same time obviously!
Does anyone else still breastfeed, and go out running?
I am having trouble with really sore nipples especially after about 4 miles. I have a new sports bra from Bravissimo, so I don't think that's the problem.

Has anyone else had this problem? Any tips / tricks / advice?

Thank you!

Anyone?

Have you tried posting in the bottle and breastfeeding section smile, there may be a few bfers hanging around in there.

How old is your baby? I have run a lot and even done a triathlon while still breastfeeding DC1 and I am now doing the same with DC2 who just turned one. I find it's very uncomfortable to run in the first 9 months or so but after that it's fine. I wear two bras - a shock absorber and an adidas vest top! Never had issues with sore nipples though, just general huge-ness.

I'm bfing 6mo DS and running with 36gg boobs - would some Lansinoh help? I've had to put some of that on one nipple otherwise it's v painful (damage caused by blocked duct repairing itself)

Thanks JJJ that'll be my next port of call.

outsidein he is 7 months. Perhaps 2 bras is the way forward! DH suggested Vaseline which I haven't tried yet... Congratulations on triathlon!

I'm running and bfing. I feed before I go and wear two bras. I only started when DS was 6 weeks and have only got to week 5 of c25k so I know I'm fine over a km or so. No ideas what happens at 4 miles... I'll tell you in a couple of months when I can run that far!

Thank you PPHS and golemmings. Have just cottoned on to wearing 2 of my older sports bras, so far so good.

Yes, me. It took quite a while to get the bra situation sorted. In the early days I wore a well fitting feeding bra with a Shock Absorber over the top (a new Shock Absorber, as my pre / inbetween babies ones were too small. Now (9 months since I had my last baby) I can run in just a Shock Absorber (yet another one... boobs are shrinking but not back at pre-preg size). It's getting very expensive in terms of new bras, but I don't want to take any chances. I also fed before I went for the first 6 months or so.

As an aside, I felt like I was constantly injured when I first went back to running. I started again when DS2 was 5 weeks, and persevered until he was about 5 months, but had numerous issues - sprains, pulls, etc. The physio advised me that it's because hormone levels while you're breastfeeding make injury much more likely, so you do need to take it easier than you feel in yourself you need to (IYSWIM). I ended up having a couple of months off, and since starting again when DS2 was about 7 months I've had much less bother. Just thought I'd mention in case anyone found the same.

Thanks nearly. That's what I didn't want - I can't afford to keep buying new bras (and I'd rather have pretty ones than sports bras if I could!)

I am pleased to report in general all soreness is much better; I either wear new sports bra or 2 old ones, DS is 9 months old now so also not feeding so often, and I do feed him before every session.

golemmings how's it going? Have you run 4 miles yet?!

RE: the hormone / injury thing, I've heard a lot about it, but never experienced any problems. Then again, I tend not to push myself that hard - I'd rather run slowly and keep going than sprint ahead and have to walk!