When does this get better???

[ezekielsmom]

I've been BFing for 7 1/2 weeks now. SOmetimes I supplement b/c my little one sucks so hard it makes me so sore i cant bare to have anything touch them and the thought of him sucking more makes me just want to cry. i've been told not to give up and that it does get better, but WHEN? i know it's so much better for him than formula, but i'm not sure if i can go thru the pain of this for as long as i BF him. i don't have cracked nipples or anything like that. he just sucks so hard that it even sends shooting pains into my back everytime he sucks. am i doing something wrong? do i have him latched wrong? when we were in the hospital they had us stay an extra day for a few reasons... one being that his tongue wasn't long enough so he wouldn't wrap it around the bottom of my nipple and he was sucking really really hard. that was the only pain i experienced after birth. they even gave my nipple sheilds but i got so tired of putting them on that i sucked it up and fed him normally. i'm willing to start using them again if it's not going to get easier soon.

[MamaRabbit]

His tongue isn't long enough? Did they clip the frenulum for him?

At 7.5 weeks, you shouldn't be feeling pain like that. Call your hospital and see if they have a lactation consultant who can help.

It does get better though! Keep at it!

[ezekielsmom]

i think i'll go to this breastfeeding support group on monday at the hospital. i was just hoping i wouldn't go and they'd say, "what are you doing here? that's normal!"

thanks!!!

[Igraine]

Hi ezekielsmom,

I suffered with pain with both babies for almost 3 months... and then they both started teething. Ugh! My dd is almost 10 months old and I still have some pain... still teething. There's always something, but it is worth it.

Go to the group, talk to people, ask for help from the lactation consultant. It could be many things.

I am a red head and have very sensative skin... that was part of my problem. I also had yeast/thrush which makes nursing painful.

Are your nipples red, cracked, bleeding... or just hurting? The lactation consultant will help. And if she doesn't, keep calling! I was a frequent caller and it took several trys to figure out what was going on.

Good luck and congrats on your new babe!

[rubidoux]

my little guy is almost 3 now, so i don't remember the specifics of what it was like at 7 1/2 weeks, but i do remember that at 3 months all the sudden i realized that nursing had gotten easy and not painful. after 3 mos i have almost never felt pain aside from a few days here and there during growth spurts when he nurses way too much. and then there's the biting, but that's another story. lol

[jenny-g]

That much pain is not normal. It sounds like you may have thrush- also, if the baby has a tight frenulum it must be clipped! It's so not a big deal to get it clipped. Perhaps with treating both those issues, it will get easier.

Mine didn't latch well until 3 months, and now it's a total breeze. So it does get better, but it should not hurt you as much as it is now. We had severe pain which ended up being from thrush, both on my side and on hers (making it hard for her to latch properly). -j

[Shahbazin]

Hi Ezekielsmom!
I don't know where in SD you are, but there's an east county LLL group meeting this week -"The San Diego East County Group of La Leche League will meet again this Thursday, the second Thursday of the month, August 10th, at 6:30 pm at the World of Wellness, in El Cajon." (from their mailing list). If you're interested, I can give you specific directions. My DD has been nursing for 3 months now!

[boheime]

Find an LC in yoru area who is not connected with the hospital. the ones at hospitals may not actually be LCs....just nurses who tend to see breastfeeding mothers and babies.

[Hheffley7637]

I had the same problem with my little guy. I was in SO much pain until my lacatation constultan reccomended. Jack Newman's Nipple Cream. You can only get it by prescription and they only fill it at Compounding Pharmacies. BUT it works AWESOME. Within a day, ALL pain was GONE. Anytime I even get a little pain now, I just put some on (they give you a lot so you have extra) and pain is gone by the next feeding. It's way better than nystatin. Yeast, breast yeast is hard to get rid of. Diflucan didn't work for me, just jack newman's nipple cream. Jack Newman is a Lac Cons in Canada and he has a website www.drjacknewman.com Your lacation consultant that's local should know about this cream, or even your OB/GYN. It's safe for baby too, just gently wipe off before breast feeding. I was so sensitive that I had to use only a kleenex!!! Good luck, get that checked out for sure!!! hang in there. It does get better. I have NO pain now- and I'm a red head. Take care

[Hheffley7637]

one more thing

I agree with the other lady too- latch is super important. I also had problems getting my son latched on- he's 3 months now- and that hurt a LOT whoa, that was very painful. A Lactation Consulant can come to your house, evaluate your latch, your breast and nipple and make sure there isn't an infection with you or improper latch. Also engorgement can cause pain too. or a blocked duct. If you have a blocked milk duct,that really really hurts. Heat in that area and gently pushing from way back near your chest/ribs to your nipple area and pumping will releive the pain and it should subside in a day. I have had lots of fun with nursing, but it's like riding a bike, just have to learn the fundamentals!! Baby too. They are born to suck, but they don't know the best way to latch on for mom's best comfort.
Good luck. You'll get the hang of it. Don't beat yourself up for taking a breat and using formula, I had to do the same thing. Better to do that than give up all together

[Mamma Mia]

A LLL leader in your area can come to your house and help you for free. It may take some calling around as they are also mamas, often with young and nursing kids themselves. It sounds like there are some issues that you need help with. That's normal-- we don't grow up seeing everyone we know breastfeeding and even if we do they are usually so discreet we don't get to really see.

Do you have pain when you're using the shields? Perhaps you could swap the pain for inconvenience until you can get some help.

Mama, this time is hard enough without nearly 2 months of breastfeeding pain. You've been through a lot. 'This too shall pass' is my parenting mantra and I'm sure it applies here too. It's just too bad it's gone on so long.

Also, I think frenulum clipping is very helpful when the frenulum makes nursing harder. It can make a day and night difference and give mom some serious relief.

[2BoyzMum]

Hang in there!

Just wanted to echo what everyone has said. See a LC-your pediatrician or Leche League folks may recommend one. I also had lots of issues in first two months with my first. It does get easier but help is key. Be gentle to yourself and don't give up. Keep figuring it out. You can do it. Support would be great right now...any friends that bf????