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Original poster

First time mum breastfeeding - Help!

36 replies

ajohnson1991 · 20/07/2015 07:28

My DS was born on Friday and I'm breastfeeding him. He's latching and feeding well but the pain is awful! I'm reduced to tears most time I feed him - I need a little advice! Will this get better or is there any creams or remedies that will help?

Thanks

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Latium123 · 20/07/2015 22:43

I think there is an element that it can just hurt like hell to start with. Please seek support even if it is just talking with others going through similar. This really helped me stick with it until the pain passed. I second the Lansinoh therapearls - they were a godsend and of course the Lansinoh cream is great too. Also, a hot shower can help ease the pain of engorgement too. I think there's a danger of thinking everything is about the latch but it's not always. If the pain persists also consider possible thrush and reynaud's syndrome if the pain is mainly in the nipples.

Read this article for some good advice
themilkmeg.com/the-latch-looks-great-really-tell-that-to-my-burning-nipple/

Latium123 · 20/07/2015 22:52

Oh an definitely try laid-back breastfeeding.

IssyStark · 20/07/2015 22:59

My midwife described the letdown as 'toe curling'. Very true!

I was horribly engorged with ds1 as well and cabbage leaves in my bra did help, odd 'though it sounds. I also sometimes had to express a little to help soften the breast enough for a good latch. But you don't want to express too much as that will only encourage more engorgement.

After 7 weeks I suddenly realised it wasn't painful any more: cracked nipples, mastitis and heavy engorgement had just all gone. The must have disappeared gradually until one day I noticed it hadn't been sore for days.

Good luck and remember it is a skill both you and baby are learning, so it won't just happen immediately but practice will make perfect.

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Original poster

ajohnson1991 · 21/07/2015 09:21

I got the cream yesterday and also have started expressing a little before hand - midwife said that when they are so swollen it can be difficult to latch.

Also went through some other position can BF in which is great. So far the cream and the expressing have slowly but surely begun helping. Hopefully it just gets better and better from here!

Thank you so much for all the advice!

OP posts:

tbtc · 21/07/2015 10:13

Good to hear :-)

When I needed to hand express just to relieve engorgement I did so under a warm shower as that got things moving more easily. Blessed relief!

LovelyFriend · 22/07/2015 20:52

Yes to checking baby for tongue tie.

Your boobs do go a bit crazy when the milk first comes in. It will all settle down soon though.

If you boobs get too full it can help to hand express a little milk off to get some relief.

waterrat · 22/07/2015 21:25

Ok ...I had this twice ..its not true to say that it should stop hurting after the latch on...

I was screaming in pain for the first week...

It turned out my second baby had tongue tie has yours been checked? Don't trust a midwife go to a special baby feeding cafe or clinic

Get latch checked again and again

I think some babies just do have a painful latch until their mouths get bigger. ..horrible but both times after 2 weeks I was not in pain...However ....

After my dd tongue tie cut it was better but one breast much more painful than the other ...

So o just stopped feeding on one side carried on with one boob perfectly fine...slightly lopsided but baby was fine and it qas such a weight off my shoulders ...no pain anymore. ..baby is now 13 months and still bf!!!!

Persevere if you can it's so much easier than bottle feeding after the first couple of weeks

summermommy · 22/07/2015 21:32

DD is 3 months old so the memories of that awful pain are quite fresh. I know it's terrible and sometimes unbearable but believe you me, in a month or so you will absolutely enjoy the process. I applied Lansinoh and my own milk but can't say there was a dramatic change. Your breasts just need to get used to your DS's latching. Try to stay positive!

YeOldeTrout · 22/07/2015 21:56

I had painful letdown with some of mine, there was no physical damage, no cream or repositioning would have helped. I had to learn to relax with it.

Electroswing · 23/07/2015 18:49

I had a thread here about 6 weeks ago saying exactly the same - when will it stop hurting?!

With nipple shields and religious Lansinoh usage, it's now been pain free for a long time. I couldn't see how it could get better but honestly it does. And the pain, doesn't mean you're doing it wrong.

Good luck!

mummyB123 · 23/07/2015 18:53

For me it was painful for the first few weeks despite having a good latch etc (I'm a midwife) but with time, I can now honestly say it is pain free.

Definitely use lansinoh after every single feed! And even in between.

You're doing so well. Keep going and get all the help and support that you can!!

Hope you're enjoying your little one

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