Will my nipples ever not hurt? (exclusively pumping)

[ZXZ]

So I’ve been exclusively pumping for just over 7 weeks now. I wasn’t sure how it was going to go and I’m blown away that I’ve made it this far without it actually being THAT bad. I’ve told myself I’ll stop whenever I start hating it but I haven’t yet. My only issue is the fact I can’t even dry myself with a towel when I come out the bath properly because my nipples are agony if they even brush past the towel. If they touch anything it hurts so much. I would have thought if they were going to feel normal again it would have happened by now. I’m using lanolin before bed on them each night and they don’t look majorly dry but don’t know if I should be doing it more? Will they ever feel normal again? Is this just my life now? 🙈

Aww @ZXZ it does get better I promise. In the meantime, try hot compresses, spreading the lanolin on top. I found that the heat really helped.

If it’s hurting, something isn’t right.

Find a lactation specific, there should be one for your locality - ask your midwife/health visitor. They may be able to recommend someone private too.

The lactation specialist should measure you for the correct size flanges, check you for thrush, and pump positioning.

@CauliflowerBlue i think when I’m actually using the pump it’s fine because it hurts for a couple of seconds then feels okay and it seems from what I’ve read that most people have that. It’s just how tender they are the rest of the time that I can’t cope with 😭

@DownrightCelestial how often would you put on the lanolin?

What pump are you using?

I exclusively pumped too. I had such painful nipples which was misdiagnosed as thrush. I was getting shooting pains through my nipples throughout the day. They hurt more just generally through the day, not just when pumping.

My issue was the flange size wasn't right, and I was using too high a setting while pumping. I ordered new flanges on amazon and reduced the setting, and the pain went away. I pumped for 10 months, pain free (after the initial issues).

I lived in fear of a brush with the towel for at least 3 months both times breastfeeding. I do have v sensitive skin on my nipples anyway. Sliver nipple cups are great, I just wore them all the time as couldn’t bear fabric or breast pads touching them either. 6 months in this time and I’m ok now. Bit of hydrocortisone helped me too as I do get contact dermatitis, just wipe off before pumping.

I don’t think they should be that sore, like others have said maybe you need to try a different pump etc.

Try Vaseline instead of lanolin, your skin could be reacting to it. Also its much cheaper!

Rub a bit if the breast milk into your nipple cheap and effective for me

Which pump are you using and what setting?

There shouldn’t be any nipple pain when pumping or afterwards. The pump may be causing injury or the lanolin not working. I agree you should look up a lactation consultant.

They shouldn’t be hurting, are your flanges the right size?

Some people find expressing much harder than breastfeeding, have you tried both? I'm sure you have your reasons for pumping, but to me it seems like all the downsides of bf with none of the good/easy stuff, I found it all flowed better with a warm snuggly baby on the receiving end. If the reason you are pumping is so that your partner does half the feeds, is that happening? Are you getting to sleep while he feeds the baby at least some of the time? Is it worth revisting your reasons to make life easier for yourself?
I'm sorry I haven't got any practical pumping advice, I found it quite unpleasant and didn't pursue it, although I know that won't be everyone's choice. Hope you find something that helps.

I need to look into this then. I can pump without much pain, it’s only a bit stingy for the first few seconds then it’s fine. I’ve reduced the setting right down from when I started. I’ve got the Elvie and the highest setting is 7. I was on 5 to begin with thinking I had to tolerate it. Within days I got what i assume is a blister on my nipple 🙈 I’ve now dropped it down to 2! I can’t go any higher than that. Although maybe that’s also a sign it could be the flange size being wrong

Elvie, it’s only on setting 2 out of 7

@Whatisityoucantface oh no, sorry you had a similar issue. I’m wincing even just reading you describe a brush with the towel 😬😭 my actual nipples aren’t sore throughout the day, it’s just if they come into contact with something like that. We’re going on holiday next month and I’m just picturing being a bit miserable and not having the same carefree holiday experience when I can’t even dry myself with a towel without being on edge 😂

This! New pump time. I found the Tommee Tippee one did this to me. The Medela with different sizes of flange available was a totally different experience. Went on to EP for 7 months then BF until DS was 22 months.

It has been many years since I bf, but from what I remember, lanolin is not like a moisturer you put on once a day. You have it on all the time, so reapply after washing and feeding/pumping.

It is supposed to allow wet healing. So if your nipples are cracked or injured they don't start to heal dry and then hurt next time you feed or rub/bump them and reopen the wound.

@Blanketpolicy oh that would make sense, need to try and put it on multiple times a day then. I didn’t think they were particularly dry or cracked but I’m guessing they maybe are

Silver cups saved me! And not wearing a bra for a bit, just loose tops helped a bit. Mine were sore from BF though once I started just pumping it cleared up. Agree with others it's probably the wrong size flange.

I exclusively pumped for 9 weeks, it never hurt even for a second.
Agree with others re. Flange size, someone measured me in the hospital and told me what medela size to use. Worth a try, don't just put up with it!