Several questions-Nipple pain and low supply after ovulation

[wholebreath]

Hey all,

My ds is 12.5 months and is currently nursing 3-4 times during the day and 1-3 times at night.
Our issues are these:
I got my first post-pregnacy period when he was about 9 months old, so I have had 3 periods so far. About a 40 day cycle at this point. I've been experiencing low supply and nipple pain during the last 12-15 days of the cycle, presumably after ovulation. Anybody experience this and have any advice? Fenugreek doesn't seem to help.
Second, we have been working with drinking from a cup. The only ones he likes are the straw cups, and lately he's been latching on like he's trying to suck from a straw, rather than drink from a breast. This combined with the nipple sensitivity really hurts! I'm hoping it goes away soon. He's had bottles 2 days a week and used a pacifier since 2 months and we've never had any nipple confusion, so this baffles me. If he doesn't stop soon, anybody have any experience re-teaching good latch to a 1 year old?

Thanks for any help!

[Mermaidmomma]

I got my first post-partum period when dd was 21 mos, and I totally noticed super sensitive painfull nipples while nursing during and after ovulation. None of my other momma friends had this except me, so I thought I was a little crazy but I think it has something to do with the hormonal flux. I did have to remind dd to give me a BIG MOUTH....AHHHHHH! Each time she latched and just breath through the first minute or so, the pain did subside after a couple minutes of nursing. She likes to suck on Ice too and I would give her some Ice before nursing to make her mouth nice and cold which would help a whole lot. I hope this helps, good luck!

[trancechylde]

I have had 2 pp periods so far and I also get the low-supply and nipple pain BADLY in the last two weeks of my cycle.
I try to start with a mother's milk/fenugreek "course" a few days before ovulation (I chart) and carry it on until my period starts. To be honest though, it doesn't really work I need to feel like I'm doing something though? KWIM?
My frozen stash is gone, so we have ended up supplementing with a few ounces of formula during the days it's needed. Not a popular choice around here, and not with me either, but...you can't get blood from a stone right?

As for the nipple-pain- the ice sounds like a BRILLIANT IDEA!! I never thought of that...I have just been gritting my teeth and bearing it...I know once my period arrives it will go away.

So, not much help from me really, just wanted to let you know there's another person in the same boat as you.

[wholebreath]

Ice sounds good to me too

Oliver loves ice, so I think I'll try that tomorrow. Glad I'm not the only one who has this issue. I was hoping to never menustrate during breastfeeding. I can barely remember everything as it is, let alone whether I have a tampon or not!

[Carita]

just came on to post the same thing - grrr on the painful nipples... go away AF!!! :P

[AJHCFamily]

Just found this post as I was about to ask the same question...alas, AF returns ! I know I won't be that excited for long and I have enjoyed almost 30 months without a period, but I was starting to 1) worry and 2) get really sick of feeling like I am always just about to get it. I think I ovulated a few days ago and ever since I have been feeling the pain...owwweeeee! We shall see....I have also been feeling kind of crappy (that special kind of crappy pre-period feeling that I haven't felt to this degree in a long time).

[RachelGS]

I had a TERRIBLE time with this when my first child was a toddler. The solution for me was daily evening primrose oil. It took about a month of taking it really every single day before it was clear that it was doing its thing, but it completely stopped the painful, cracking, crazy nipple soreness that followed ovulation.

[Carita]

how much did you take Rachel?

[RachelGS]

I think I took 500mg two or three times a day. Before I started it, I really was having cracking and bleeding with ovulation. The first month I took it, they were sore but not cracking, and by the second cycle, it was really no big deal. I had started to think we were going to have to wean out of total desperation, but we went on to nurse for another full year after I started the EPO.

[wholebreath]

BTW, the ice was not a good idea for us. Oliver was not into nursing with a cold/numb mouth and got all pissy about it. Oh well, worth a shot.
I've got my acupunturist working on getting my cycles into more of a 30 days range, so hopefully at least the soreness and supply issues won't last as long, we'll see.