Sudden, painful nursing at 10 months

[Shanny2032]

My dd is almost 10 months and for the last 2 weeks I have started to experience and very sharp pain in both breasts when she latches on. We used a nipple shield for 5 months so I never really experienced any pain in the beginning to to an improper latch but I am wondering if that is what is happening now, like she is just getting lazy, starting bad habits. She has 2 teeth on bottom and one on top that have just come in but I dont feel like that is what is hurting. We had gotten rid of the pacifier so she is nursing more at night but I don't see any signs of redness or irritation on my breasts. No signs of thrush on either of us. Any thoughts would be appreciated. It is getting to the point where I dread that moment when she latches and I hate that.

[3girls1boy]

This is a tough one. My first thought would be thrush, but if you have no signs on your nipples, it's probably not that. My second thought is perhaps it's hormonal--maybe you are ovulating and heading into a period?

Teething can cause babies to change their latch. Also some babies who use sippy cups with the valve that keeps the cup from dripping develop a lazy latch on. (A speech therapist once told me that kids who use those for too long also often develop speech problems.)

[sparklefairy]

Could you be pregnant?

[OTMomma]

I'd check baby's mouth for signs of thrush- white patches on the inside of the cheeks or tongue that don't wipe off. I've had it a few times with no signs on my nipples- but baby had symptoms- it makes latching hurt and can make me really irritable.

[Burnindinner]

My DS is 10.5 mos, and right about 10 mos started hurting like a [x] when he latched on. Bf'ing was very painful. He has 6 teeth, 4 on the top and I think having teeth there was changing his latch. It improved, whether through him or me.

My other thought is hormones. When I am ovulating or right before I get my period it can really hurt.

[Shanny2032]

Thanks everyone. Sparklefairy - you gave me such a good laugh! I am single and used donor sperm with IUI to conceive so definitely NOT pregnant, haha. I see no signs of thrush on either of us but the hormonal and/or teething theories are definite possibilities. I have been feeling like I might have been ovulating and/or my period returning (have not had it since K was born). It actually has been a little better the last few days, it's like posting something has that effect on me for some reason. Hopefully, it continues to improve.

ETA - turns out it is thrush. I thought I have had the flu for the last 2 days but when I looked at the underside of my (bog, huge, can't see the bottom without lifting them up) breasts there are red blisters. I have a dr appt tomorrow. just wanted to say thanks again.