sore nipples- what do you do?

wwsurf81

I am so sore.  My LO bit me several times and they have been sore for the past day or so.  It doesn't help that I have been feeding him every 3 hours.  They never get a break.  Do you think it's okay to take a break tonight and give him pumped milk in a bottle?  Or should I just suffer through the pain of more feedings?  I've been supplementing a little with a bottle (doctor's orders) and so far it hasn't messed with his breastfeeding skills.  I'm trying to get away from supplementing with bottle now that he's finally gaining weight, but my poor boobs need a break!

Traycee1242

I give DS a bottle of pumped BM daily... to give myself a break and to get him to keep taking a bottle.I need him to do both so I can leave him and someone else can feed him. In fact I gave him a bottle in the first week he was born... I personally think that nipple confusion is made up by the breastfeeding nazi's... but that's just me : )

meg1974

Mine eats every 1 1/2 - 2 hours. I would love for her to go every 3 hours consistently!

Traycee1242

Also do you use lanolin? I put it on after every feeding/pumping and it has done wonders for my nipples.
GL

lkich

If you're sore it's good to give yourself a break and feed him your expressed milk. Can you still pump? That way you don't mess up your supply.

eprofitta

Take a break! I agree with the pp -- I think nipple confusion is made up (and so does my pedi). My son took a bottle on the second day of his life and it took him about a week to decide he liked my left nipple, but he was eager to eat from the right all the time. He's now transitioning well between BM from a bottle, nursing, and formula, thankfully (and it makes daycare so much easier). 

My nipples hurt for eight weeks, and there were some days when DS would eat every 90 minutes. As soon as my husband came home, I said, "Please feed him! I"m sore." Looking back at it, I stressed way to much about breastfeeding; if you give him a bottle of pumped BM, he'll probably be fine and so will your supply.

vnceradini@gmail.com

I started bottle feeding her my breastmilk once every evening at 2 wks (my husband gives her the bottle so I get a break).This has helped a lot  Buy Soothies and keep them in the fridge to use whenever you feel sore, use lansinoh after every feeding, expose your breasts to air dry. I guess all these things helped. My nipples were cracked and bled a bit the first couple weeks, now is the third week and they are tough and able to handle all the feedings I care to give :-) Hope this helps. 

sam19

I'm so glad you asked this because I was about to ask the same thing! My nipples have been killing me and my left one is about to start bleeding. I even give Natalie a bottle of formula once a night.

angel555

I expressed a little breast milk after every feeding, rubbed it around, and blew it dry before putting my boob back in the bra.  Also, do you use cotton breast pads?  Those'll help get air to them.  (letting them get air helps them heal faster.) 

I would be wary of giving another bottle.  I'd be afraid it would reduce my supply.  Also, maybe your son bit you because he had nipple confusion?  Have you talked with an LC?  Why did the doctor tell you to supplement?  It DOES sound like it's messed with your son's breastfeeding skills, if he's biting you.  

I'd talk to an LC.  

penguinem

I would talk to a LC, too. Does it hurt the whole time you're nursing, or just when he first latches on? At the beginning, I was really sore right when she latched on, but then it was fine. If it hurts the whole time, his latch may not be good... maybe have someone watch to see if he looks level with you, latched properly, etc?

I put cabbage leaves on my boobs after feedings. It feels AMAZING... I know it's weird, but it really works. Ice packs help too.

Hang in there... I swear it gets better!