Save my nipples

[ChipsnCurrySaucemmm]

My 5 day old DD has took well to breastfeeding... or so I thought?!

She latches well from what I can physically see, general nipple shape after and how quickly she gets to latch. She doesn't really fuss once on and will usually stay completely attached and suckling.

However... she stays on each boob for at the very very least 45 minutes. Usually an hour each boob. She takes herself off each boob but won't really settle unless offered the other. Surely needing to feed for that length of time points to an issue?!

I'm enjoying breastfeeding but my boobs are really taking the hit and I'm beginning to feel a little anxious that every 3 hours I have 2 solid hours of feeding her to do. (Which if is something I will continue to do without hesitation if I understand this feeding style is adequate) she's been diagnosed with a very mild tongue tie that MW said could be left alone but we're choosing to resolve privately in the next 48 hours.

Anyone that can reassure me their newborn feeds happily and effectively like mine?!

Hopeful tired currently feeding bump...

My DS was the same don't worry it will settle down. Lansinoh nipple goo was my best friend, a bit pricey but it doesn't need to be washed off before feeding and the tube lasts ages

Another one to say it will settle. Nipples (mine anyway) tend to be sore for the first few weeks and then it just stops. Lanisoh is your friend indeed!
2 hours seems a lot though. Mine would have fallen asleep at that age and I'd imagine some of it is dozing and comfort sucking. Which for me went about 7 weeks.

I can’t advise as my little one is a quick feeder. That sounds very demanding and it sounds like you are handling it very well.
lansinoh is also my saving grace

Part of it is establishing supply, part comfort, probably in part the tongue tie. I had this with my second - constantly feeding. It became so draining (mentally). As others have said, Lanisoh helps. If your nipples are getting damaged don’t be afraid to use nipple shields to give yourself a break, even if it’s only for one feed. It won’t ruin everything.
Having the tongue-tie done made a difference but it wasn’t immediate.

Thanks so much for the replies. I'm trying not to invest too much hope in her tongue tie procedure and that being a miracle cure!
Off to amazon prime for Nipple shields....

Try doin 20 Mins one side then swap sides for 10 minutes (important to use both breasts when bf)
It may be a little early still as my babies both fed like crazy to start with but my milk took ages to come in. As they get older though try to establish this routine if possible then wind, swaddle and get them
To sleep the repeat every 4 hours.
I have to say I was rubbish at this but my milk supply wasn't great
Both mine used me
As a 'dummy' though so I tried a dummy with both, second baby took it it, also he self weaned from dummy at around 8 months old
I think though your baby is establishing a supply for now so things will settle. Use Lansinoh cream and nipple shields

Thanks @flumpybear I will definitely try that routine

Definitely sounds like baby establishing supply plus safety and comfort of being so close to mummy.

It is worth listening and counting swallows though so you know if baby is actually drinking or holding onto you. Also, has your baby been checked by a specialist for tongue ties? My daughter has always liked a long slow feed and still does tho now at 11 months but she did have a tongue tie which was snipped at 2 weeks and it did make a difference.

DS fed like this for the first 2 months. It was exhausting and the nipples really do take a hit, so I feel for you. He now feeds every couple of hours for 5 minutes tops from one side only. He started doing this around 2 and a half/3 months. It will get better! You’re doing an amazing job! I know it seems like forever away but it’ll come around in no time x

Sounds very normal, I wasn't feeding quite that long in the first week but I remember being stuck under a baby for hours at a time and feeling like it was never going to end. But it did, and those horrible few weeks are just a distant memory!

I notice you mentioned using shields... Don't use nipple shields unless you have to! They can affect supply and the baby can get used to them. We used them from day 3 as DS's tongue tie meant he had a shallow latch and I was bleeding a lot from wounds as a result. It meant I could continue feeding but it took till 4 months to get him to latch without them! And using them was so fiddly and meant that public feeding was difficult. I remember one time I dropped them on the floor when I was out and we had to rush home to get some fresh ones. Another time I forgot them at my friend's wedding and had to rush across central London trying to find somewhere that sold them. Nightmare!

I am the first to recommend them to mums who are in so much pain they're about to give up (as a last resort) but if at all possible, try and power through without as I wouldn't want you to have the same issues as us.

Try the mam compresses and make sure you're using lots of Lanisoh cream. Good luck!

Has your milk definitely come in? Is dd gaining weight?

I was told by hospital MW that my dad's tongue tie was mild - it wasn't and it wasn't til she had the tt snipped privately that feeding improved. I don't blame the MW as they can't be specialist in everything, I just wish I'd had the snip sooner as I got in quite a mess with cracking/bleeding/mastitis/scabbing etc.