Am I a terrible mum?

[Austinj]

My DD is 6 days old and exclusively bf but its so painful due to cracked raw nipples I cry. I also think especially at night she wants the breast for comfort so today I bought a dummy...I already felt like a failure at this point without the added judgement from the sales assistant...Am I an awful mum for caving so soon? I just think it's the only way I'll be able to carry on with bf :(

[hevenly123]

I had sore cracked nipples with my first baby (many moons ago) I think they even bled! Then someone showed me a better way of positioning the baby, ask your health visitor about this?or do you have any friends that breastfed? Because they’d be happy to advise. A good nipple cream should provide relief. Don’t worry about using a dummy. They don’t necessarily get addicted to them. I’m not sure it really causes mega nip confusion. Breastfeeding can be sore at first (like breaking in a new pair of shoes?!) but once established is so so convenient. I am due to have my third baby soon (my other two are teenagers). I’ll be breastfeeding but this time I’m going to combine feed after four months or so. Wouldn’t have considered that with my first ones. Don’t give yourself a hard time. Even breastfeeding for a few weeks is great!

[AutumnGlitterBall]

It’s also called a soother or pacifier for a reason! We had about eighteen of the buggers at one point. One in every bag, jacket and room of the house. If baby is still hungry, she’ll spit it out and if she just wants a suck for comfort, it’ll hopefully work.

[UnderTheSleepingBaby]

My first baby had a dummy by 5 days old, even though I'd intended to try not to use one. It was a lifesaver! My second baby won't take one, it's a nightmare as she's only happy with me to fall asleep etc. Go with it, use it when you have to and give yourself a break!

As far as soreness definitely get the latch sorted, be persistent, if someone tells you it is fine then tell them it definitely isn't until they help you fix it. Nipples heal so quickly once the cause is sorted out and you don't have to suffer.

[Thestral]

Dummies are recommended by the Lullaby Trust as they can help to prevent SIDS.

Give yourself a break; you're doing fine. It's bloody hard, parenting!

[Surfskatefamily]

I got cracked nipples at the beginning as my baby had tongue tie. Putting lanolin on my nipples helped. Maybe give that a try.
Ignore judgy people re dummy. Mine hasnt used one but hes a thumb sucker now and i can see that a dummy could be good for less crap of the floor ending up in his mouth. Theres pros and cons to everything...just do what works for you 😊

[LadyOfTheFlowers]

Everything @BF888 said, but also wonder if there is anyone who can check your latch for you if you've ended up sore and cracked?

[BF888]

I think so much pressure is out there on mums over whether they BF, or give formula or dummies, it’s so hard to feel confident and my heart goes out to you.

I think you will instinctively do what is best for you and your baby. You’re not failing by giving her a dummy and it’s not failing if you can’t exclusively BF. You have to look after yourself too.

I can assure you that the Sales Assistant won’t havejudged you!

Bear in mind hormones will be all over the place right now, be kind to yourself.