Hurts too much - need to wean?

[pumpkin]

Nursing has become incredibly painful.  My nipples hurt like crazy.  When DD is done they are squished flat like they were in a vice and ghostly white.  

We used a nipple shield for 2 years.  I tried to get rid of it but she refused.  Then one day she decided she was done with the nipple shield.  It was great at first, but now I am in pain.  

I just don't know what to do.  She is a booby addict.  Weaning is not going to go over well.  She also has surgery next month and I don't really want to take away something she finds so comforting.

[etonmymind]

I am dealing with similar--my 3-week old gives me serious compressions leading to vasospasm...no apparent physical or anatomical (ie latch or tongue tie) cause, just a strong grip.  My LC is one of the best in the country and she could not find a correctable factor.  This is a bit extreme, but if you are as desperate as me, you might try low dose temporary Nifedipine.  It's really helping me over the hump, so to speak.  I don't anticipate needing it long. 

good luck and I feel your pain!

et

[Heba]

Ooh, sorry to hear you're in so much pain.  Could you see an IBCLC to ascertain the reason for this?  It could be that a change in positioning and attachment would help, or might your daughter perhaps have tongue-tie?

In the meantime, experimenting with all sorts of positions might help you find one way which is better.  Make sure that you're super strict about attachment.

One option if the pain gets too much might be to express at least temporarily - it wouldn't solve the problem (and of course you wouldn't get the emotional benefits of nursing directly), but your daughter would still be getting breastmilk and it would keep your supply up for if you find a way to nurse without the pain and decide to go back to nursing.