Desperate!

[myvspace]

DD is now 5 days old. When it comes to breast feeding, she's got a really strong suck, but I think her mouth is too little and of course, I've got sore nipples. One side isn't as bad as the other, but the latch-on pain is just unbearable on my left side. I'm trying to get it to heal as of now. So what are my options?

I was given a nipple shield at the hospital even though I don't have inverted/flat nipples. Just for the soreness that was starting. I can use that, or...

Should I pump from that side for now? And if I do pump, maybe I can let DH feed her that bottle because he's getting so frustrated that he can't soothe his own daughter. All she ever wants to do is be in my arms or nurse on me, leaving me sleepless. He tries real hard to give me some "non-baby" time, but she doesn't quite get calm in his arms. Maybe letting him feed her a bottle will help their bonding and let my nipple heal. But I'm afraid of nipple confusion. I don't want to introduce a pacifier either.

So what should I do ladies?

[fyrebloom]

OK I know this will sound a little wierd, and of course ymmv, but I found that with all my kids the paci is much less of a threat then the bottle since it only provides non nutritive sucking. My DS2 is also 5 days old and while he sucks like a hoover his latch is shallow and it hurts SOOOOO much. I started giving the pacifier to give my poor nipples a break and that actually improved his latch somewhat and now it only hurts at latch and gets better after a few seconds of nursing. That first bit hurts SO much but at least now it doesn't hurt for the whole feed and my nipples aresn't peeling and cracking anymore. Make sure if you do use a pacifier that it's round, the flat orthodontic ones train your baby to squash the nipple, which is very painful. The round ones teach them to bite less.

I would avoid the pump and bottle for a couple more weeks at least. With that said a little pumping to relieve engorgement has been a lifesaver for me, but only to take off the top 1/2 ounce or so... just enough to get my nipple to be soft enough to latch onto. Don't pump too much though or you risk oversupply. Exclusive pumping you risk losing supply if your body isn't good at responding to the pump. It's best to let baby nurse at the breast and to their demand.

If your nipples are cracked or bleeding then you really should get some help from a LC or LLLi leader if at all possible asap. Nipple pain is a reality at this age and it generally gets better by the second week. You just have to keep working with them to get a good latch and be patient as your nipples become accustomed to the constant nursing. If you're not feeling better next week then it might also be time to get some help.

If DH is feeling left out, some time doing kangaroo care with him might be good. He'll be able to give bottles of milk when the baby is about a month old, but if you're having nursing troubles you don't want to risk nipple confusion right now. Lot of daddy snuggle time if def a great bonding tool. He can also give the baby a bath, change diapers, read books, do tummy time together etc. He could even be the designated burper (in fact daddies often are the best burpers ).

[myvspace]

Thanks. What you said makes a lot of sense. We did buy a pacifier, but looking at its shape, it would definitely teach her to bite on the nipple and when we've tried to give it to her, she doesn't take to it.

I really do want to hold off on the pumping and bottle feeding until the right time, but the pain is just killing me. I do accept that because she's my first and it's only been a few days since she was born, my nipple would be cracked and everything.

Do you think the nipple shield will be OK to use while I heal or will that still cause nipple confusion? Should I just tough it out? But then will my nipple heal if I keep having her come into contact with it?

I feel like such a newbie! Well... I am, aren't I?

My DH is wonderful! He really tries and he's been changing almost all her diapers since she was born, been trying to hold her to calm her down, and will keep at it for hours just to try to give me some sleep. I can't ask for more from him. It just frustrates him, me, and the baby when he can't soothe her.

[stephanie95]

Fyrebloom gave very good advice. I would only add that Lansinoh/Medela lanolin really helped me when my nipples were wounded from DD biting. It gives a moisture barrier that helps your nipples heal. Think chapstick for nipples.

[joyakshi]

I got an RX for Jack Newman's "all purpose nipple ointment" and it's helping wonders. Lansinoh did nothing for me. Also, getting a deeper latch has helped me. I've seen lactation consultants like 4 times.
Mine are still sore but not sharp biting pain anymore.
good luck!

[firewoman]

I agree with Fyrebloom on all fronts. I also like Ameda comfortgel nursing pads. They can be kept in the fridge and provide wonderful relief. They healed up my nipples VERY quickly once I got them. The pain should begin to subside by the beginning of the second week.

You can get six pair from this ebay vendor for $14.00. That is where I purchased them. They are reusable for up to a week and washable. They were a lifesaver for me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ameda-Comfortgel...item2c511993f8

Here is more info on them:http://www.amedababy.com/product/6-1...ml?srcgb=ameda

[Serenyd]

Such good advice! I don't think there is anything I can add.

[MandyB]

Just wanted to add that I feel your pain. Hugs!

[mom-to-jj]

I used a nipple shield for my son who was born with a bit of a tongue tie. Once we got the tongue tie clipped when he was 7 weeks old, it took about 3 weeks for him to learn to nurse without the shield. On Christmas morning we were at my parent's house and realized we'd lost the shield, and no stores were open that sold them. He literally could not latch on at all, and if I hadn't had a pump and a bottle I have no idea what we would have done.

I was offered a shield in the hospital for this baby because her latch was really strong and causing ridging and slight bruising. I wouldn't use it because I didn't want her to get too adjusted to it and end up unable to nurse without it.

That being said, if it was a choice between a shield and quitting nursing, I would take the shield!

I agree with trying to express a little milk to soften your nipple before nursing so she can latch easier. (I use Aveda hard shells and put one on the side I'm not nursing on. Then while she nurses, I leak about 1/2 ounce into that hard shell, pour it into a bottle or bag to freeze, and that nipple gets softer and is ready for her by the time she finishes the first side.)

Play with her by stroking from her nose to her chin to teach her how to open her mouth as wide as she can. (My DD barely opens her mouth at all, and it's driving me nuts!) Alternate positions when you nurse so that she's not always sucking in the same spot--I don't like the football hold because it puts baby on the outside of my body, but I use it because it really helps to not have her in the cradle hold every single time I nurse. I even nursed her once while I was standing up just to get her in a different position!

Yay for gel pads!! I use them all the time to "seal" the nipple so nothing comes in contact with it. Walgreens sells "Soothies" if you need them right away and don't want to wait for shipping on an internet order. (And I Lilypadz nursing pads, too!)

Finally...once when my nipples were bleeding and I could not *bear* the idea of latching my son on, I pumped and gave it to him in a syringe because I was afraid to use an artificial nipple. Just an idea...I would say to pump on the sore side, give her that milk first, and then nurse on your "ok" side so she still gets the sucking action.

Good luck--my soreness is lots better now that my milk is fully in at 5 days pp with my 2nd baby, so hopefully you are not far from that point!

[lil_stinkyfeet]

I didn't read the replies but I would avoid a bottle for a while longer

Good luck

[KringyBingy]

The only thing I can add is my daughter was also "like a hoover" and I was so happy she latched so hard, but it was damagig my nipples. My chiropractor did a home visit at about a week after I had her and said that the excessively hard sucking is a way for the baby to adjust teh babys cranial bones that were squished during birth. (chiropractic care did nothing for my sons collick so I was leary), well, after dd was adjusted no more crazy sucking and no more pacifier. My nipple healed in less than two days!!

Kristy

PS, I am all for the pacifier, it is a life saver in the car, my other two children had them, but this one will have nothing to do with them.