Breastfeeding pain

[Catarinah]

Hi everyone, so my baby boy is now 4 weeks old and my nipples are very sore from incorrect latching. I have now been seen my a lactation consultant who's taught me how to correct my technique. I now believe the latch is better, but seeing as I've been doing it wrong for 4 weeks, feeding is still painful as my nipples are already sore. She has been checked him for tongue tie and believes he doesn't have one (he moves his tongue like mad, and when he cries hysterically I can see below all of his tongue and there really doesn't appear to be any issues). My nipple still comes off slightly lipstick shaped but only slightly (he does have a very small mouth as he was premature). I have attached a picture of his latch earlier for you to see. How long until my nipples heal whilst still feeding do you think? Any tips? I don't want to give up...

Just from my experience it took about 6-7 weeks to start getting better. But once it started to get better I was euphoric! Like everyone says loads of Lansinoh and keep going. It's so hard the first month or so but so easy once everything settles down.

@Catarinah may I suggest something that may help? It’s hard to tell from the photo but it does look like baby could do with some adjustment - he looks too high up. Baby should be laying across your tummy, legs tucked under one arm and his mouth should be around the middle of your breasts - so that he has to tilt his head and reach up to the nipple. His chin should be tucked into your breast and his nose completely free. This may help a little.

Congratulations on your beautiful baby!

Nipple cream and nipple shields took the edge off for me.

I had just come on to offer some advice on positioning but twinklestar15 has said it perfectly. Nose to nipple and tummy to tummy should improve things as baby looks rather high. You have done so well getting this far. My boy is 8mo now and still breastfed I look back on those early days and wonder how we made it through. You are doing amazingly xxx

Ended up paying for a private lactation specialist to come see us and she confirmed my little boy has a posterior tongue tie!

Poor you and baby! That's why it was so hurting for you and baby wanting to feed so often.

Can you get it snippet soon?

Going to pay to get it done tomorrow, nhs wait can take weeks and she said some clinicians won't cut posterior ones as they don't think it's necessary. I'm not waiting weeks to then be told no, it needs fixing for his and my sake!

I'm so pleased you have found the answer! Don't be worried if the snip doesn't immediately improve feeding it can take baby a few days to consistently improve their latch. Going back to basics with positioning will help him. Good luck x

@Catarinah glad you found someone to help you; I hope it helps you both with your feeding journey

Thanks everyone x

I knew it! You sounded just like me. Just bare in mind once you go private for the cut if it heartaches or there are any problems you have to go back to the same people. Just know a few people who this has happened to and they had to pay twice. Not to put you off, just so you know.

Also don't expect it to be fixed straight away. Some people say it improves that day, but it took my baby a few weeks to get the latch. I had a mini breakdown the day after because I couldn't tell the difference and stupidly expected it to change straight away.

@Russell19 what do you mean "if it heartaches?"
I don't expect it to magically fix it immediately as my nipples are still very sore so I think it'll be painful for a while regardless. I'm hoping this is the answer to the painful feeding but even if not it's worth it to prevent other issues that could arise in the future E. G. Speech, eating solids etc. I am however extremely nervous about the procedure and the cutting incase he's in pain or it goes wrong and his tongue gets accidentally cut or something :(

We had a very similar situation and. Had the posterior tie cut on the kitchen table by a private midwife- I held him and it was 100% worth it as his mouth sprung open and latch was pretty much spot on from then on! Hope it works out for you both.

I think pp meant reattaches.

It is a really quick and simple procedure so try not to worry. My dd was 11 weeks when she had it done. I fed her as soon as it was cut and she forgot about it pretty quickly!

If you do the massages afterwards it should help prevent any reattachment

I meant reattaches! Sorry!

Honestly do not worry about the snip,my baby was completely fine the next day.

She told me that reattachment is rare and they actually generally don't recommend the massaging afterwards because it can cause infection if not done properly/l and a risk of any dirt from fingers near an open wound but I'll speak to them about this again tomorrow. I just don't like the thought of him in pain

My niece had her tongue tie snippet and I don't remember nothing about massaging and reattaching. I remember they will ask you to feed him afterwards so it gets it moving. It's just a membrane, not that big of a deal. And as far as I seen from others, baby's forget so easily.

They told me the same about massaging and tongue exercises. They said not to bother and the best thing is to feed frequently.

Seems like it varies around the country!

We had it done at Kings College Hospital and had to attend a meeting beforehand with guidance for the massages and feeding plans. Then in the consultation we had to practice the massages on the consultants hand!