Nipple Fear

Groxb

STM and Moms with outside babies-

How do you get over the nipple fear? I'm on day 2 of breast feeding, and my nipples are abandoning ship. My left has little blood blisters and my right has a big ol hickey.

I love feeding Allie, but when I know it's almost time, I cringe in pain fear.

I'm putting some lanolin on them- not doing too much.

Any advice? Maybe a mental mantra to help me prep? My LC is on vacay this week- womp.

Allie thanks you with a picture!

Irisheyes1247

It really just sucks. Have you had an LC check your latch? I agree with pp, I just had to clench my teeth and get through it. Establishing the relationship is really tough but then you turn a corner and suddenly it isn't so hard. Hang in there!!

suitern

It sounds like she has a poor latch if you already have blisters/hickies. Can a different LC check it in the hospital? In the mean time, I would try watching videos online and make sure she is all the way on the nipple and not just the tip.  My best advice for the pain was to put LO on, count backwards from 10-if the pain was still unbearable, take LO off and try again. 

Groxb

Thank you!

It only hurts the first few sucks, then gets better. So her latch is ok.

The real pain comes after she's off. Like an hour or so later. So by the time she's hungry again, I'm dreading it. :-/

hizah05

Exactly what pp said. If it's just a couple seconds, it's pretty normal. Happened with my first and now this one too. It does get better though and eventually there will be no pain. Keep up with the lanolin. Also there are these gel pads that I love. They are really soothing in between feedings. They won't help with the initial pain of the latch but they are nice have. Good luck! Just keep it up!

suitern

I found sitting around topless with no bra and then putting breast milk on the nipples as well helped with the pain! Hope it gets better quickly!

MrsLaLaBug

Have an LC check her latch. I went through this too, and at the very beginning I would take a VERY deep breath and count down from 10, after that the pain would subside. I feel ya, I can remember it being intense enough to make my eyes water. It gets better as your boobs get used to it.

MrsLaLaBug

suitern said:

It sounds like she has a poor latch if you already have blisters/hickies. Can a different LC check it in the hospital? In the mean time, I would try watching videos online and make sure she is all the way on the nipple and not just the tip.  My best advice for the pain was to put LO on, count backwards from 10-if the pain was still unbearable, take LO off and try again. 

Haha great minds! The counting thing saved me in the beginning!

ashaw512

Mine hurt for about the first week. That's one of those things where you kind of just have to suck it up. If her latch is okay then it should get better within the week, since your LC isn't there then you can ask your ob or ped. They helped me a lot since there isn't an LC in my area.

nilvero

@groxb I'm right there with you! The first days, they hurt so bad. Everyone who checked me said he had a great latch. He lost so much weight because he wasn't getting what he needed.
Finally one LC saw how hard he sucks and taught me another way to get him to latch.

Now they just hurt right at first and it goes away. They gave me some breast shells to put in my bra so that my clothes don't touch them. My LCs also told me to do a warm compress on them before and after.

Now I don't have to wear the shells. Just put some lanolin and I'm good to go.

Is there a La Leche near you? Before I heard from my LC one of the leaders was going to come by and help.

Hope it gets better!!!

blue+skies

Lots of lanolin! And not all lanolin creams are equal. I was using the stuff the hospital gave me, and at one point I couldn't find that tube, so I grabbed a tube I had purchased and it was soooo much better! I think it was just the lansinoh brand from target, but I know lots of mamas here recommend the earth mama brand and some others. Maybe trying some other creams, along with some of the cooling pads and the cups will help. A lot of it is just time too. It will get better!

saraeric

I am right there with you...I dread the start of every feeding session because it hurts so badly. I just shut my eyes as tight as I can and try to breathe through it. DS has a great latch and suck for being 3 wks early so I was told my nipples just need time to adjust. Hoping that happens soon! I've been using a lot of lanolin. Also, I bought some Lansinoh Gel Soothies that you keep in the fridge and put on your nipples and they are like heaven. I'd highly reccommend them. Also, I took some of those padsicles from the hospital and they are working great for icing my sore, engorged boobs! 

mytinc

I agree with PP that the pain is normal in the beginning (and sucks so bad).  If the pain is going away after 15 seconds or so, then the latch should be good.  I never had much luck with lanolin, I just expressed some breast milk and rubbed it into my nipples, which helped them heal faster.  I remember hitting the couch and saying a few profanities when he would first latch until the pain subsided.  I freaked out my husband a couple times.

I had pain off and on for probably 6 weeks and DS had a good latch the entire time.  Just some pointers - even though you're blistered/cracked don't avoid that side.  You'll need to keep nursing from both sides to keep your supply up so try not to favor the less painful side.  Also, I agree that you may need to try different holds (football etc.) to see if changing positioning can help.  Sometimes just having them latch from a different angle lessens the aggravation on your nipples.

Hang in there!  

MrsKasel10

I agree that the gel pads do help. I  already have them packed in my hospital bag.

portentosa

It's totally normal. I agree with PPs to just grit your teeth and get through it. As the days/weeks go by it does get better.

T&HLove

She's gorgeous! Check the latch, use the lanolin, you'll get through it mama!

Also, remember no soap on the nipples. And rub a little breastmilk on them and let them air dry. It has amazing healing power

Nootbar

@Groxb‌ teaching baby to latch is tough! Don't forget you are both still learning to do something foreign and new and lots of moving parts have to come together. Sorry your nips are hurting - no fun.

Couple of things: trying pulling down (gently) on baby's chin while latching her on. Use your fingers to pull her lips out and make sure her lips are flanged (flared out around your nipple and showing a little of the inside of her mouth). Her jaw should be hinged wide w/ rhythmic sucking noises while she nurses. If it feels off or doesn't look right, gently insert a finger to unlatch her and try again. (Feed her early if you can, before she's super starved and pissed, so this process doesn't make her too mad.) In fact, every time you take her off the boob be careful to break suction before she detaches. 

I'm personally not a nipple shield fan, but if pain persists and you think your nipples just need a tiny break to heal from not latching optimally, some people find they help. I'd use very conservatively under the supervision of a LC and as briefly as possible so baby doesn't come to prefer the shield just due to getting used to it. They are creatures of habit!

While your LC is on vacation, find out if she has someone on call. If I were you, I'd see someone ASAP. My LC w/ DS was an angel from heaven. Your hospital may have a clinic w/ an IBCLC, and your ped's office may also work with someone. Call them now! No sense in suffering. Good luck.

ETA: I'd agree with @suitern that the blisters / hickies are a sign something's off with her latch. If it was only pain for the first few sucks, or mild soreness w/o nipple trauma that would be more like "normal" nursing adjustment but this sounds like something more and you don't want to let it get worse- it starts a really tough cycle when mama's in pain and dreads nursing. It can get better and there are lots of resources to help you. ((Hugs.))

peanutbuttervibes

I found that using any sort of ice pack combined with Tylenol and lanolin was helpful. If I wasn't feeding baby, I was almost always trying to numb the pain but I got used to it over time as PP have mentioned.

megs2011

Lanolin for sure. I always put it on after every feeding. I don't remember it hurting but I also didn't get to nurse right away because mine were too weak and needed to grow. I tried maybe 2 times while they were in the hospital but really didn't start till they were 3 months old. Definitely check on the latch. And try to relax. She will feel your tension in response to the pain you are going to feel. You can do it momma. Keep up the good work.

teenybean

That initial pain at the latch that goes away, actually will stop about 7-10 days in, so you just have to grin and bear it. But blisters etc. can be latch issues or just sensitive skin, it will get better. Keep checking in with the LC as long as you have her. Use lanolin or even breastmilk and make sure you really get some air. Don't leave disposable pads on for too long especially, that plastic layer inside can trap moisture. Hang in there mama it isn't easy at first but it gets so much better.

bodziochl

I am having the same issues. In the hospital they gave me Medela cups that go over your nipples and I am so thankful for them. I use Earth Mama nipple butter and then the cups. It keeps them from getting chapped. Seems we just have to grit our teeth and bear the pain initially. It will be so much easier and more pleasant when it doesn't effing kill! I look forward to that!

Soogerplum

I promise it gets easier! I was taken back by how bad it hurt in the beginning with DD. Lactation consultants can really help a lot!