Sore nipples?!

[strmis]

Hi
I posted on the BF forum with no responses so I'm wondering if any new and experienced mamas could offer some advice (or maybe words of comfort?)

Anyone else experiencing sore nipples. Like, the "they're going to fall off any moment" sore?

I'm sure its because I still have "virgin nipples" but is there anything I can do that will help? I'm using the lansinoh, airing them out. Anything else? How long is this going to last?

[skg_7]

I actually don't have any words of wisdom for you, being a first-time breastfeeder myself. But just wanted to say, I hear you, Mama!

My nipples are very sore, too. First they were cracked (days 2 to maybe 5) then they hurt because of engorged breasts (days 4 to 9) and during that time I also developed small sores on the areolas from poor latches, I guess.

It's day 17 now and things are improving, but I still have a general soreness that kind of comes and goes throughout the day. I wonder if some poor latches are creeping back in....

One thing I noticed for the cracked nipples and sores was that breastmilk worked better than the lanolin/lasinoh stuff. I expressed a drop or two after each feeding and rubbed it into the nipple and areola and it seemed to encourage healing much better.

Good luck!

[N8'sMom]

I'm right there with ya. Mine hurt like hell and I think my breast has a
clogged milk duct. It HURTS!
I'm doing the same thing you're doing and using hot packs and
ice packs too.

[BirthFree]

Yeah, but I knew that was going to happen so I think some may be "virgin nipples" like you said. I have two sets of blisters on the ends of my nipples from my STRONG sucker... she's nursing every hour or so too - sometimes longer (trying to make it longer between b/c the "snacking" is making me nuts ).

Time will help. If they turn a hot pink or are itchy too, then you may have yeast on them and then there are things you can do to help take care of that so they don't hurt as much...

[SunnieP]

i myself never had a bit of pain, but my sister had/has scabbed, scarred, half missing nipples and has had tons of problems (she does have implants and a baby boy with a ferocious suck. ) what has helped her the most has been LLL, hotlines, meetings, local leaders. those ladies really know their stuff.

[Anna GS]

Mine hurt too.

Apparently he has a good latch, but his suck is painfully strong and I kind of suspect that he's clenching down with his gums. I'm also frustrated by all of the leaking. It's scary to leave the house because I keep thinking I'll end up with huge wet spots on my shirt. The nursing pads I have don't seem to contain my flow.

I keep hoping my nipples will toughen up, but I'm still waiting. How long does it take, I wonder?

[strmis]

oh gosh... THANKS for the LOvE!

UH... they are so sore, but its good to know that other moms are in the same boat. Whew!

I'll try the breastmilk trick and maybe that'll do better than the lanolin. Anything is worth a try!

[saffrondaisy]

Does it hurt just at the beginning of each feeding, or is it throughout the feeding (and beyond)? It's worth meeting with a lactation consultant to check your latch; if there are problems with the latch you can end up really hurting your nipples. Better to address the problem sooner rather than later.

Good luck, mama!

[blessedmom68358]

(((Hugs))) I've had them with three of my four babies so far...even with a great "lactation-consultant approved" latch. My babies tend to have high palates and short tongues. I'm also relatively fair-skinned. Hence, ouchie nips for up to eight weeks. I'm actually having them nursing my 2yo (only before bed now) as well since I'm pretty dried up/very sensitive being at the end of pregnancy.

Keep up the Lansinoh/air/breastmilk on nips, definitely have baby's latch checked, and a mom from church highly recommended these to me recently: http://www.playtexbaby.com/Products/...s.aspx?id=1005 I haven't yet tried them, of course, since my baby's not here. However, she said they are worth the cost and totally beat out Lansinoh...and I think that stuff is pretty darn good! HTH - I know just what you're saying! It is very worth it though...it will pass.

[BodhiMom]

With my last baby, i got a clogged duct and I used grated potato. My midwife recommended it. It's important to place the raw shredded potato right against the tender spot on your breasts AS SOON as you feel like you are getting a clogged duct. Infections set in very quickly, and the potato pulled it out within three hours. I wore a tight sports bra, filled it with the potato, and used a heating pad. I made sure to continue to nurse on the sore side, and massage the area while I nursed. Hope this helps all new breastfeeding mommas.

[kltroy]

The sore nipples thing is pretty common when you first start up. They can get cracked and even bleed, which is disturbing but ok for your baby. I remember the first few sucks really making my toes curl when I was starting to BF my son. This time around they are sore, but not nearly as bad as they were the first time.

Like OPs have suggested, check your latch if they're sore beyond the first few sucks - if your baby doesn't have a good big mouthful, it will hurt a LOT more, plus she will be less efficient at getting the milk out, which can make your breast more engorged, which makes it more difficult to latch... viscious cycle.

You can also try some different holds. A football hold (esp. if you have a boppy or similar) is great if you're wondering about latch. Plus, because it puts her mouth in a different position it will drain different milk ducts.

Hang in there - the first 2 weeks are the tough ones when you start out. After that it will be smooth sailing!

[Kylahroo]

With my 1st, I was terrified of sore nipples so I went through this whole routine every time she nursed. I never got sore nipples.

After baby nursed, I always expressed bm and rubbed it over the nipple/areola and then let it air-dry for at least 10 minutes. Then I'd put my shirt back on (no bra yet) and wait another 10 minutes or so before putting my bra back on. I never wore a bra to bed, either.

I also nursed her in a different position EVERY single time she nursed (except at night). We'd go from the cradle to the football to laying down to cross cradle, back to cradle, etc.

Does your pain go away after the first few sucks or so? If you're having chronic pain throughout the nursing, this does suggest that baby may have a sore latch and you need to fix that ASAP! But, if the pain goes away after a while, it should completely go away within another 2 weeks or so. Just be sure you're not noticing any sore red spots (which can mean a clogged duct or mastitis) or sharp shooting pains.

[strmis]

Ok...
I think she has a good latch b/c i can see her mouth spread all over the areaola part. Its a spine tingling sharp pain right in the beginning, and I wouldnt say that it completely goes away during the feeding, but the sharp sting does. it still hurts somewhat to nurse unless I'm distracted or something.

Thanks mamas. MW came today and we did the football hold b/c yes, i think I am starting to develop a clogged duct. Potato?? I'll try it!!! I've also been drinking this concoction of lemon juice, water, apple cider vinegar and honey. I'm gonna try the potato trick too!

[klink2]

Mine hurt like hell right now too, and I have scabby nipples. I got some gel pads from the lactation consultant at the hospital--I had them last time too. If I remember correctly, they are based on this rubbery gel material that was developed for burn victims to help skin heal. You just slip them in your bra and rinse them off every once in awhile. I recommend them! If you delivered in a hospital, you should have access to lactation services.

[thechuzzle]

Hang in there mamas....... But do go and get yourself some of the graco or medela gel pads. They are a lifesaver!!!!!!!!!!!!! I kept them in the fridge and put them on after every feeding and it was instant relief. Also they help the nipple stay soft and allow any cracks and or blisters to heal so much faster. My lactation consultant gave me my first set when my ds was a few days old and my nipples were so beat up because after my c-section they had me on a morphine pump that the nurses were pushing for me, so I never was able to stay awake long enough to ensure a correct latch, so by the time we left he had done serious damage to my nipples. Now I give gel pads as a present at every baby shower I attend : I hoep everyone feels better soon.

[berkeleyp]

I am sad that so many of you seem to think that you just have to deal with cracked nipples. It is my understanding and personal experience that sore nipples come from improper latching/positioning and no longer crack and bleed when these issues are fixed. Engorgement is another story but the cracking nipples is almost certainly a latching issue.

With my first, I was in tears from the pain. I had a line of blood blister across each nipple and was desperate as I was really committed to BF but didn't know if I could take that kind of pain ALL the time. My midwife spent about 3 hours with me helping figure out what I was doing wrong and showing me proper positioning in several different positions.

With this new one, I started having the same issues because I was lazy about making her latch correctly but since I've been more diligent, it has gotten WAY better. I don't want to sound preachy but I hope that this might help someone in need. Please explore other sources for visual aid and get in person assistance if at all possible.

Short of that, here is my advice:

1. Get a lactation specialist/LLL Leader/experienced mom to help you - sometimes you can't see what is going on with baby's mouth.

2. If you don't have someone like this, find video demonstration or really good visual aid.

For those who don't have a good book/video/mentor, here is a summary of what may help. All of the following is very important, I mean it:

1. Make sure you are comfortable. I would advise a comfy chair with good back support (not too cushy or reclined) or sitting upright in bed against a headboard or the wall. Make sure you have good back support with pillows if necessary.
* You should be very comfortable sitting up straight.
* You should have arm support on both sides
* If in a chair, elevate your feet wih a nursing stool or a pile of books - you're looking to raise you lap level a little.
* Put pillows on your lap as well to place baby on at breast level. A special nursing pillow is well worth the expense but several pillows stacked on your lap will be fine.
* Have someone help you stack up the proper pillows/books to your needs. A glider chair is priceless IMO locked in place with a nursing stool or books under the feet and a boppy on the lap.

2. Now position baby. I think that the cross hold (I can't remember the other name is the easiest but the football hold may be better for you).
* For your right breast, hold baby with your left arm, head in your hand with your arm along baby's back. Make sure baby is tummy to tummy so her neck isn't turned at all. Baby's mouth should be at nipple level without you leaning over - get more pillows if necesary. Your right elbow should be supported at 90 degree angle for holding your right breast and your left arm should be comfortably supported on the pillows on your lap.
* Now using your right hand, make a "nipple sandwich" by pinching the top with your thumb and the bottom with your index finger. Make sure none of your fingers are on your areola at all.
* tickle around baby's lips until she opens WIDE. Wait until she is really open wide with tongue sticking out then quickly push her head onto your nipple sandwich with your left hand. If you wait too long, she will close her mouth and you will have a painful latch - (this was my problem). Smush her on there good - she can breathe out the side of her nose for just this reason.
You may be able to adjust her jaw with the fingers of your right hand by pushing down on her chin to make her open a bit wider. Do not push breast toward her. Push her onto breast.
* Make sure her lips are splayed properly. Both lips should be curled outward around the breast and she should have most of the areola in her mouth.
* Make sure her tongue is also between her lower jaw and your breast. If she's biting with both sets of gum, it will hurt.

I'm not going to go into other positions but the dr. sears website ot books are a good source.

Now for the hard part: EVERYTIME she doesn't open wide enough or you feel pain, unlatch her using your finger to break the suction and start over. This is the hardest part because it can be really frustrating but as my midwife told me - you are the mother, you must teach her to latch correctly for both your sakes.

Other things I thought of:

* switching to different positions helps the nipples not get as stressed in the same places.
* lansinoh helps
* I've read that just because the latch looks good, doesn't mean it is. If its hurting, its not right

Anyway I hope this helps and everyone gets the help they need so nursing isn't painful. I will look for some better resources when I get a chance.

[berkeleyp]

Some helpful web resources:

http://http://www.askdrsears.com/html/2/T021000.asp

http://http://www.kellymom.com/bf/st...resources.html

[*Karen*]

I've found that making sure that I am holding her just right helps a lot with soreness.