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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

breastfeeding advice

27 replies

Ladypug · 07/11/2015 05:19

Had baby a few days ago and latch on all went well. Now nipples have gone quite tender, is this normal? Don't think I have problems, think I've got the technique down so wondered if this happens regardless? Started to get painful when baby goes on the breast now. Is there anything I can do to improve this or any tips?

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Lovethebubbles · 07/11/2015 05:29

Totally normal. Your nipples aren't used to being sucked on so much. After a week or so, they will toughen up and that feeling will go. I found lots of nipple cream after every feed helped massively. Congratulations on your baby!

redcaryellowcar · 07/11/2015 05:57

I'd suggest some lasinoh, it was very helpful when I had dc1. I think it may also be sore because they begin feeding more and for longer. I would however suggest you try to find a breastfeeding support group, NCT baby talk, local hv group la leche league, etc as it's nice to meet people in similar situation (sleep deprived etc) as they will be useful to help with any questions like this and it's often handy if someone sees you in person. Well done so far, you've done the hardest bit, by week four you'll be a total pro!

Original poster

Ladypug · 07/11/2015 06:04

Ah thanks bubbles, nipples feel so tender and sore now on day 3

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Havalina1 · 07/11/2015 06:07

Normal - and get the lanisoh, or magic mam gel soother pads. You won't need to use for long but mind your nipples now. Congratulations!

Original poster

Ladypug · 07/11/2015 06:10

thanks Redcar, yes still in hospital at the moment but as soon as I'm out I'm hoping to get to a support group

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Sairelou · 07/11/2015 06:25

Is the pain throughout the feed or just through the first minute or so? If it is constant throughout the feed then that suggests maybe an issue with the latch (or the possibility of a tongue tie). If it is just for the first minute or so then that is baby trying to get your milk to let down, and is totally normal.

Sparrowlegs248 · 07/11/2015 06:34

Forvthevfirst few sucks I found it very painful. Used lansinoh each feed and was pain free by 2 weeks. It wa really sore though!

Original poster

Ladypug · 07/11/2015 09:07

Another question - after baby has fed loads and DH is holding her, she starts pecking at his shoulder. Should I feed her again? Not sure if I should just feed and feed and feed?

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Jeffreythegiraffe · 07/11/2015 10:03

It took me a week to stop it hurting. You should get your latch checked too though.

IndomitabIe · 07/11/2015 10:08

I used to count to 10, by 10 it usually would have stopped hurting. Lasted a couple of weeks.

I think if it were me I'd feed again. She'll be increasing your milk supply by feeding often. Also getting comfort and closeness.

Skiptonlass · 07/11/2015 10:22

Congratulations ladypug!!

As a fellow first timer here are my thoughts.

Yes, it's a bit tender at the start. Get them to double check your latch just in case though. The midwife said to me 'you are the boss of your nipples' meaning it's fine to break the suction and relatch then if it's not perfect. It only takes a few minutes of poor latch to do damage so be vigilant.

A big yes to lanisoh!

Warm shower over them when they are sore.

Yes, they feed for hours, just let them. If you need a break, a clean knuckle can sub for a while while you nip for a shower/loo/food. The suckling helps to build supply.

Drink tons of water. Eat plenty.

Be comfy - you'll spend hours feeding so get comfy before starting. Better they wail for two minutes while you prop yourself up than you sit in a stressed position for a whole evening. Get all you need around you and get dh to bring you water etc. I like an alcohol free beer in the evening! Apparently it's good for milk? (Old wives tale maybe but it's m treat!)

Learn to nurse lying on your side. This saved my sanity for the night feeds.

Dixiechick17 · 07/11/2015 10:28

Let her feed as much as she wants to. They do cluster feed a fair bit int he early days until your milk supply is controlled by the baby and not yor hormones, as it is for the first couple of weeks.

Latch should only hurt for the first 30 seconds, it can get sore though with cluster feeds. Lanisoh is brilliant, once I was past the first two weeks it was a lot less sore and by three weeks I didn't need any cream at all.

You don't need to wash the Lanisoh off before a feed either. Another thing to do int he meantime is rub the milk into the nipple after each feed as breast milk has some healing qualities. Congratulations on tgw arrival of your little girl

Dixiechick17 · 07/11/2015 10:29

Apologies for all the typo's!!!

Original poster

Ladypug · 07/11/2015 17:29

Thanks all! Day 3 and breasts have gone bigger and nappy poo changed colour and consistency I presume as milk has come in but are my boobs supposed to feel rock hard and painful?

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Jeffreythegiraffe · 07/11/2015 17:41

Yes, it will get better and they'll feel more normal again.

Loiterer · 07/11/2015 19:44

Lansinoh lansinoh lansinoh before and after every feed. Yes that's totally normal. Congratulations on your new baby.

Insertwitticismhere · 07/11/2015 19:59

Congrats! Absolutely agree with all those advocating Lanisoh. We were stuck in hospital for a week after dd was born. One of the midwife's tips was to apply Lanisoh then put a square of cling film over the top unti the next feed!? It did seem to help.
The pecking at your DH's shoulder is also par for the course. My dh used to hand her back with the words "she's gone feral again" . Best thing is to just keep feeding as it's what sorts out your supply but I also expressed each day so if it did get a bit much I could escape for a bath & leave dh with milk.

redcaryellowcar · 07/11/2015 22:23

Rock hard and painful is exactly what milk coming in feels like, warm showers with shower jet on your boobs can allow a little milk to be let off, and feed as much as dd wants.
As pp said drink lots of water, eat well and plenty, rest too. You are doing brilliantly, but don't be afraid to as for 'real life' help too.

Sparrowlegs248 · 08/11/2015 03:55

I remember waking up on the Monday after ds was born on Friday and looking down and thinking 'where did they come from!!"'

The problem with rock hard books is it can sometimes make it hard for baby to latch on. Just hand express a bit off if this is the case. I rarely get that full hard boob feeling.

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 08/11/2015 04:13

Remember to bring baby close to you throughout the feed, baby's position often starts out beautiully close but as mum relaxes baby falls away slightly so every so often bring their body in close to yours again. Congratulations!

cathpip · 08/11/2015 04:19

When my milk came in poor ds struggled to latch on as it's astounding how much nipple they take and the shape they squash it into. He was also a greedy bugger and didn't like having to work for the let down so I just hand expressed off enough to make my breasts softer for him.

Original poster

Ladypug · 08/11/2015 08:27

Thanks guys, it's getting easier! It still hurts for first 20 secs or so but she's latching on quicker and getting into a flow. Boobs are uncomfortable and Rock like but hoping that will calm down too!

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IndomitabIe · 08/11/2015 08:43

You're doing great LadyPug! Keep going, a few more days and that initial pain will probably disappear (timescales vary though!).

Keep on with the lansinoh. You might still get some nipple soreness to come, but every day you keep going you're a day closer to the wonder that is easy, pain-free feeding (it really is amazing when you get there!)

PaintedTshirt · 08/11/2015 08:58

You're doing great well done!

I bf both of mine (still feeding 1yo DS!) and I found both times that around day 5 I felt like 'this is too difficult and painful, I can't do it anymore!!'. Then every day after that got better and easier.

Keep going and ignore anyone telling you that baby is feeding too much/ to 'try' some formula. Good luck!

Original poster

Ladypug · 08/11/2015 12:30

Thanks guys :-) I love feeding her too, feels like great bonding and I love her little feeding face! X

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