Nipple Pain, when does it go away?

[iOliver]

I have painful nipples from damage already done when I first started BF 10 days ago, but it's still sore. How long does it usually take for 'nipple recovery'? 

[Jayray]

I think it just depends on the person.  It took mine several weeks.  I had a friend who had nipple pain for 11 weeks and then it went away.  She said it was related to hormones (although every book always says it's latch issues, I'm not sure it really is).

[juniper_mama]

Yes I'm sure it depends on a variety of factors.  I'm pretty sure I have super sensitive nipples and it took about 2.5 months to be mostly pain free in my case.  I had pretty bad damage in the beginning and tried everything to improve the latch - several lactation consultants, visits to a chiropractor and osteopath, snipped the tongue tie, etc.  And it still took a long time for the initial damage to go away and since I was so sensitive, I think I just had to get broken in :)  On the recommendation of my midwife, I hired a hospital grade pump and expressed for 48 hours while I healed and it was so much better after that but still took many weeks to be comfortable.  Now 12 months in DH laughs when an active little boy is doing his nursing acrobatics and it doesn't bother me a bit!  Hang in there - its so worth it in the end!