Nipple pain and constant nursing with 22 month old, what am I doing wrong?

[Sharon, RN]

Hey there guys!  Several weeks ago, my ds went through a constant nursing "thing" that coincided with some teeth and being sick.  I was a little frustrated, but figured he would go back to his regular nursing schedule.  His sleep routine also became royally screwed around the same time.  

In any event, we were able to work back to a more normal sleep routine about a week ago, and he generally sleeps through the night with maybe 1 waking early in the evening.  (Yay!)  This past weekend, he has gone back to wanting to nurse non-stop.  While frustrating, I figured maybe he was getting sick again.  I don't think any teeth are coming in.  I thought I'd just have to put up with it for a few days, no biggie.  But he's not sick at all.

But, (TMI warning!) my nipples freaking HURT.  Like, I was spending some quality time with my dh, and I'm pretty sure I ruined the mood when I said, "Don't go near the nipples, mister!"  LOL  I have not been on antibiotics, and don't see any signs of thrush.  I do sometimes get vasospasms in my nipples (Reynaud's), but I'm aware of that and take precautions against that.  This pain is something else, it doesn't feel the same.

Do you think his practicing a bad latch?  He does do a bunch of nurse/pop-off/nurse/Oh!  Elmo!/nurse...but I try to watch out for that and take him off my nipple so he doesn't POP off, iykwim.  Maybe he's popping off enough to make my nipples sore?  

Is he nursing non-stop because of a coming growth spurt?  He takes in a good amount of solids.  Just bored?  I know that nursing works on supply and demand, but I have to admit I'm concerned my milk is drying up.  I have hypothyroidism, but my levels were checked recently, and they were therapeutic.  So my Synthroid dose is correct.  But his behavior is starting to freak me out.

I have not really found any way to distract him that works.  And if I sit down for longer than, oh, 10 seconds, he's climbing up onto my lap to nurse! 

Ok, done complaining.  Any ideas why he wants to nurse non-stop and why my nipples hurt so much?  

Thanks!

[boobs4milk]

When my butt hits the seat, Millie starts screaming for NINNIES!  I think it's totally developmental at this age eg. asserting ones wishes and having them fulfilled.  As for the soreness, could you be pg?  AF coming?  If he's just cut teeth, could also be bad latch.  I tell Millie 2 times off and Ninnies go bye bye.  I can't handle the on off on off on off ad nauseum.  Good luck!

[Katie T]

I totally agree with the developmental thing. 

Also I swear it took months for my DD2 molars to come through and she would tweak her latch and it would hurt for a couple days then be fine then hurt on and on until they finally came through. I couldn't see or feel anything in the beginning.

Can you try laying in a different position so if it is pressure it will change that up a bit. Do you think it could be thrush on your nipple? Also if it is his latch don't hesitate to make him relatch. Also when when my kids did the pop on pop off (to look at people what have you) I gently let them know either nurse or lets go ___ Fill in the blank. Nursing is a relationship and at 22 months he probably understands more than you think. 

Good luck sore nipples are no fun. 

[Anna Phor]

Low supply (as diagnosed by extra night nursing) + sore nipples for me means I'm about to have a period. Could that be it?

[Sharon, RN]

Sorry it took so long to return to this thread!  Thank you ladies for your ideas.  I actually needed surgery not long after I posted this, and that's why I've been away.  It did turn out that my period was on the way, and once that happened the pain went away.  

His desire to nurse varies.  I'm sick now (go figure!) and so is he, so it's back to the frequent nursing.  But it doesn't hurt, so it's fine by me!  I appreciate the time you guys took to give me your thoughts.  Thank you!!

[bentlaj11]

Thanks for this thread! I was just about to ask about DS wanting to nurse so much lately, day and night! I also have crazy sore nipples, but I think part of it was a lazy latch, lots of popping on and off and switching sides constantly. He's not sick/no teeth, so I'm glad to know it could be a developmental thing! I've also been blaming some it on supply issues w/ being pg, but in the back of my mind thinking there must be some other explaination! I've tried occasionally trying to back off some of the nursing (distraction), but that just leads to more cries for "mama mlk". It's good to know I'm not alone :)

[Asiago]

I am glad that you figured it out and I wanted to chime in that I have a 21 month old constant nurser  My only nipple pain comes from the constant twiddling but that I can very well understand (for milk let down). Besides, nipple stimulation increases milk production so that makes sense to me. 

Glad you are feeling better, hope your surgery went well too. Best wishes.