At Wit's End

unaveragejane

I'm completely at a loss for what is going on with my body right now. My nipples hurt almost all the time, and (pardon the TMI) it takes forever for them to unharden after L nurses. He is 7 weeks old and we used a shield for the first 5 1/2 weeks b/c he couldn't latch onto my flattish nipples. Now he refuses to nurse with the shield, and I'm in near constant pain. Last week I saw an LC who helped me deepen his latch and diagnosed him with a very mild tongue tie which she said we could probably work around without having to have a revision. She also had me start using a special nipple cream to treat for thrush b/c she thought I might be a little yeasty. I am not sure if I have thrush b/c it doesn't hurt all the time and L doesn't have any spots in his mouth. The worst pain is right when he latches -- not every time -- but when it hurts, it's like someone is cutting my nipple off with a razor blade. The pain will ease up a bit, but it still feels like someone is pinching me for hours afterward. I have looked up the symptoms of vasospasms, but I have never noticed my nipples to be white. I can't get back in to see the LC until Monday, and I'm just not sure what to do in the meantime to get some relief!

CNYBride05

Ouch! I had nipple pain kind of like that and it lasted for a long time . I was treated for thrush, mastitis, you name it. I used APNO with minimal effect. Ultimately, it was just time I think... And maybe their latch changed? I'm sorry you are struggling with this!

surpriseaddition

Sorry your experiencing so much pain. I would try to rotate positions and see if that gives you any relief until you can get in on Monday. Lanolin was also a lifesaver for me with my third. Just be careful not to get it on your clothes since it will leave grease stains. GL!

jillyjill1026sr

Try putting ice on your nipples before he latches. It numbs them just enough to take the edge off. Trying nursing in the football position or laying on your side. That always seemed to help me.

unaveragejane

Okay, I guess I hit the jackpot of issues: bad latch due to tongue and lip tie, thrush, and vasospasms. Today the LC helped with the latch issues. I'll get the thrush meds Monday, and we'll work get the ties revised if things don't straighten out soon.

Salemkitty13

I think I had\have vasospasms. It hurts in waves after nursing. I have found that a hot compress, warm washcloths or a hot bath help.
I have also found that when we are having issues football hold helps the latch. Good luck to you.

SidraJedi

dD has a tongue and a lip tie (tongue will likely work itself out and dentist wanted to wait to laser the lip tie until DD is older since she had no issues gaining as a newborn) and I had some serious pain at first. Time and pure lanolin worked for me, though I have heard some do not like lanolin, it never bothered me or DD ( I always wiped my nip for her and reapplied when she was done).

This pain my also be due in part to your nipples adjusting to BFing without the shield.

GL!