I need some help! (BF related)

LouRN09

Hey ladies! I think this may be my first post on this board although I have been a lurker. :-) DS2 is 6 days old. I really thought our BF got off to a good start as he seemed to have a pretty good latch, was gaining weight great, etc. but all that came to a screaching halt the past day or 2. Now, nursing puts me into EXCRUCIATING pain. Not the entire session is painful, but the first initial latch/letdown. I practically scream and am in tears every time, and I dread feeding him, which  breasks my heart. Seriously, I have referred it to being tortured and that is just awful.

I have seen several LC over the past 6 days, and supposedly his latch is fine. I think my nipples got so beat up over several bad latches that now they dont have time to heal. I used a nipple shield with DS1 for a variety reasons and it worked great for us! I weaned him off it at 6 weeks and continued to BF for 1 year. I have had way too many break downs over this so I sent DH to get me a shield and he should be back any minute now with one.

And then a part of me wants to just give him a bottle of formula and call it quits. I know thats not the best way to approach it as you shouldnt give up on a bad day (as I always remembered while nursing DS1). And then I break down feeling like I am not giving the best to my son. It has truly been one break down after the other. And DH is so supportive with BF that I feel llike I would even let him down if we switched to formula.

Not exactly sure what I am looking for here. Anyone else experience severe, excruciating, toe curling, screaming pain with nursing? How the heck do you fix it if supposedly his latch is fine? Ive air dried. Use lanolin and a soothie after every session. I am just at a loss and hate feeling like this and dreading nursing him. And then my heart breaks when I think of quitting. UGH.

KatieKim0815

Just wanted to say *hugs*. Nursing was tough with DS1 but we had a TON of problems with latch etc. Sounds like you've been working so hard seeing a LC - I commend you. 

Sounds like you're having a tough day. I hope the shield will help you and maybe you can have the same success you had wiht your son! 

Ashley144u

In my experience, the first week and a half were the hardest!! If you really want to do it, don't give up!! The nipple shield worked great for me as well! I only had to use it for a day and a half. You were successful before and you can do it again!!! 

pelomalo

Have your tried hydrogel pads?

 https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/412/tender-care-hydrogel-pads

 I was having painful feedings with my son the first week, the hospital sent me home with those (hospital grade though, I don't know how well the medela ones are) and within 3-4 uses the feedings were WAY less painful. 

CLLDLL

This is my first post here too, but also been a lurker for a while.  I don't have any advice, but wanted to say I'm in the exact same boat as you. DS2 is 6 days old and I've almost cried at every feeding the last 2 days.  We started using a shield every other feeding last night, and so far it seems to be helping.  ((hugs)) Hope it gets better soon!! Whatever you decide to do will be the right thing.  If momma's not happy baby won't be either!   

LouRN09

CLLDLL:

This is my first post here too, but also been a lurker for a while.nbsp; I don't have any advice, but wanted to say I'm in the exact same boat as you.nbsp;DS2 is 6 days old and I've almost cried at every feeding the last 2 days.nbsp;nbsp;We started using a shield every other feeding last night, and so far it seems to be helping.nbsp;nbsp;hugsnbsp;Hope it gets better soon!! Whatever you decide to do will be thenbsp;right thing.nbsp; If momma's not happy baby won't be either!nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;

Aww I hope things get better for you too! DH came home just in time and we are using the shield now and it feels sooooo much better. I just hope it works this time as it did with DS1!

LouRN09

CLLDLL:

This is my first post here too, but also been a lurker for a while.nbsp; I don't have any advice, but wanted to say I'm in the exact same boat as you.nbsp;DS2 is 6 days old and I've almost cried at every feeding the last 2 days.nbsp;nbsp;We started using a shield every other feeding last night, and so far it seems to be helping.nbsp;nbsp;hugsnbsp;Hope it gets better soon!! Whatever you decide to do will be thenbsp;right thing.nbsp; If momma's not happy baby won't be either!nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;

Aww I hope things get better for you too! DH came home just in time and we are using the shield now and it feels sooooo much better. I just hope it works this time as it did with DS1!

bunintheoven0912

To get your nipples to heal, try a combination of 1% hydrocortisone, anti-fungal cream and triple antibiotic ointment (like neosporin) - put a dab of each in your hand, mix together and apply after each nursing.  I was in a similar situation - several bad latches really messed up my nipples- bleeding, cracked etc. and even though we figured out the latch eventually, I had to nurse while I was still getting them to heal.  My doula recommended this combo and it worked pretty quickly.  Good luck!

singingirl96

LucyD1029:

bunintheoven0912:

To get your nipples to heal, try a combination of 1% hydrocortisone, anti-fungal cream and triple antibiotic ointment (like neosporin) - put a dab of each in your hand, mix together and apply after each nursing.  I was in a similar situation - several bad latches really messed up my nipples- bleeding, cracked etc. and even though we figured out the latch eventually, I had to nurse while I was still getting them to heal.  My doula recommended this combo and it worked pretty quickly.  Good luck!

In think this is APNO.  You should be able to get a prescription fom your OB.  

OP-  Hang in there!  It will get easier!  The shield should help, just make sure you're pumping to keep your supply up.   

 

I had the pain you speak of for weeks, an the only thing that helped me was the triple nipple cream.  its an antibiotic/ antifungal and something else mixed together.  I used this in conjunction with the ameda gel pads and kept it on between feedings for a week or so.  You'll need to get a prescription from your OB. My LC suggested not using a nipple shield because it can really ruin a good latch and they may not want to wean off of it.  Good luck.  don't give up.

aylafsu88

LouRN09:

 Now, nursing puts me into EXCRUCIATING pain. Not the entire session is painful, but the first initial latch/letdown. I practically scream and am in tears every time, and I dread feeding him, which  breasks my heart. Seriously, I have referred it to being tortured and that is just awful.

This was my nursing experience for the first 4 weeks.  It hurt so bad when she initially latched that I would cry.  Over time it got better and by 6 weeks the pain was gone.  I saw an LC several times and her latch was fine, so I can understand your frustration.  I think BF just hurts in the beginning and it takes awhile for mom and baby to get used to it.  Hang in there!!

Sarahbbew

I have a large, extremely painful crack in my left nipple. LO is 1 month on Wednesday, so you can understand that this has been an awful journey.. It seems like every time it's about to heal, she gets lazy and does one "off" suckle and I'm screaming in pain. Then it's back to trying to heal again..

Our latch is perfectly fine (only hurts for initial latch on left nip and for about a minute due to crack, doesn't hurt on right at all), she has been gaining weight steadily, I think it's just that my nipple doesn't have any opportunity to heal. It has gotten to the point where sometimes, it just aches all day. Thank god for the IBUprofen my Dr. prescribed to me for post partum pains. Didn't need them for that, but they sure come in handy now.

For my nipples, my Dr. prescribed an All purpose nipple oinment - APNO. I don't know if it is helping long-term, but it does seem to be helping short-term.

Talk to your Doctor. Good Luck!

pinkpeony08

I had a similar experience, and I never had any tissue breakdown at all.  It was toe curling pain.  I had a lactation consultant come to my house as the hospital nurses and hospital lactation consultant told me DD had a "textbook perfect latch" and "it shouldn't hurt."  The lactation consultant who came to my house told me she had a similar experience with her daughter and it is what pushed her to become a lactation consultant.  From what she has learned, she believes it is largely hormone related.  If you think of the first sign you were pregnant, it was likely breast tenderness/nipple soreness.  She said she had a friend who was still nursing her first child when she miscarried.  Prior to the miscarriage, she had no pain with nursing and for the first few weeks after the miscarriage, it was excruciating again.  I also found it was worse when I was totally exhausted.  It truly gets better.  I tried to be sure I had a good deep latch, let my nipples air dry and put Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter on them.  Mostly it just got better on its own with time.  

kokokat

 I cried every time I fed DS for the first 10 days.  The first few days after leaving the hospital were the absolute worst.  I glopped huge amounts of Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter on my boobs between feeds, and it helped enormously.  The only thing that solved the problem was time.  My body just needed those 1st 10 days to get used to BFing, and I'm glad I stuck with it, but man, I can totally see why many women quit!

LouRN09

Thanks for all the advice ladies! As much as I hate it, it is comforting to know I am not alone! And where can you find this Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter!?

catapult32

If the pain is in the nipple, nipple shields can be life savors!!

If it's your letdown I feel you. I've been dealing with being-hit-in-the-boob-with-a-baseball-bat sensation every time LO nurses for the past 3 months, nothing helps. I pump bottles and that still hurts, but sometimes not as bad. I also don't get as much milk when it's not as painful - lame sauce.

lupineaura

LouRN09:

Thanks for all the advice ladies! As much as I hate it, it is comforting to know I am not alone! And where can you find this Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter!?

I swear by this stuff. I get it on amazon.com

holly&kellyb

I had the same problem it hurt so bad when he latched on, the LC watched me feed him and noticed he bit me in the beginning to get things started. Not sure if that's what's going on with you but I had to hold down on DS chin at the beginning of each session and he caught on after a few days.

Mrs.G123

I am using the gel pads. They are lifesavers. GL!!!