Breast feeding discomfort

[mummydinosaurRawr]

Looking for advice or to see if anyone has experienced similar…

DS is now 14 months and has been breastfed with almost no problems all along (apart from mastitis very early on). Latch has always been fine, and we got through the first 8 teeth without problem. But for the last couple of weeks it has started to really hurt. He’s not biting, it feels more like the suckling is just too strong. It’s enough to make me cry out in pain at least once per feed. Anyone else experienced difficulties so late in the game? Have a just become more sensitive lately, and if so, why?

I don't know if we're experiencing the same issue but, like you, I haven't had any problems breast feeding from the start. However, I have started sometimes getting pain with my 12mo. It's like she's pulling on the nipple and won't let go... I don't know if it's the same issue you're experiencing but I thought I'd comment so I can follow the thread and maybe it helps to know you're not the only one having problems later in the game. Xx

Thanks @Alitlebitsleepy

I have wondered if some of the problem is down to him pulling / wriggling about. He is very mobile while feeding at the moment.

I’m half debating stopping feeding because of it, but I think I might regret actively stopping rather than waiting for him to self wean. DD fed until she lost interest at about 2 and half, but she was an easier baby in general.

Yes! I got exactly that at about 16 months. It was horrific.

The twat of the health visitor I spoke to just kept repeating that 'BFing doesn't hurt after the first 12 weeks'. I was about that, as it literally made me sob.

The NCT BF advice line just parroted that BFing till 2 years was recommended.

Eventually I spoke to a lovely GP who simply suggested I stop. It was totally the right thing to do!

Four months on she occasionally (once a week?) comfort feeds, with no pain at all.

Are you sure you're not pregnant? Feeding DS 1 became much more uncomfortable when I got pregnant with DS 2...

It could be teething molars. I bf dc1&2 and they both had patches of it being sore/painful when their molars were coming in.

If it was sore I unlatched them and made them re-latch until it was right. If I thought they were distracted/not fussed I would unlatch them, warn them that I'd stop the feed if they kept pulling/turning/wriggling, and then did so if they continued. I can't say it always worked/never resulted in a tantrum but generally it was ok. Dc3 is 5m now so got it all to come again 🙄

And check what biscuits said; I've bf while pregnant twice and both times had patches where it wrecked

Aww thanks so much everyone, it’s a relief knowing that it’s not just me!

@Zarene I hadn’t even thought of asking the HV, I’ve barely had any contact with them at all, just left to get on with everything myself really. Did you just stop completely for a few weeks?

@Biscuitsneeded not unless my implant has failed. Haven’t bothered tracking periods since having it put in, will do a check if I don’t get a bleed in the next few weeks.

@User0ne I think this might be the issue, his gums do look a bit like there might be something on the way again. Think I need to toughen up a bit and take him off / put boobs away when he is messing about. He has been asking nearly every time I pick him up / cuddle him lately, he doesn’t really take much as a feed, he just likes to know that they’re still there!

I went cold turkey overnight. I essentially had to ask every feed made me sob, in an ideal world I would have cut down more slowly.

I didn't feed at all for a couple of weeks, then did it once almost by accident as DD and I were both cold and wet so I got in the bath with her, and she helped herself to a snack.

Since then I've offered it when she's been really tired/ ill/ obviously teething and unhappy, which seems to be working.

I like it - she's essentially weaned, but I still get that connection and the feeling that I can help her when only mama will do.

Thanks @Zarene that sounds like a good balance, I think I might have a go at doing similar.

You aren't alone. I remember my second child would change her technique from time to time...presumably trying out new teeth or skills. It always resolves itself in time.