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I really don't think I can do it...

jrnewhookjrnewhook
in Breastfeeding

I've been EPing since DD was born. We just couldn't make it work with her being so little and the irregular size of my nipples. She needed to get a little bigger.

We've finally started nursing and her latch is perfect, she knows what to do, but I just can't handle the pain. I've tried switching sides each session, but I still need to pump to keep my supply. I can barely pump several hours after nursing because it still hurts so much. It's just too painful to keep her latched until one boob is completely empty and I can't keep going until she's full.

I've aired them, used boob milk, lanolin, breast shells, pain killers before and after nursing. Nothing can help with the pain enough.

It didn't occur to me that once she was able to nurse from me that I wouldn't be able to nurse her.

Guess I'll forever be an EPer. I'm just a little sad about it. There's nothing quite like nursing your child.

Sad

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Re: I really don't think I can do it...

  • mandolynn81mandolynn81 member

    Stick with it, it is painful sometimes, but well worth it. We didn't really have it down until 6 weeks. I am so glad I stuck it out. However, I have the opposite problem, now i am back to work I am pumping and my nips hurt like 1 week pp. I guess you just have to get used to it, and so do I.

    But if you decide to keep pumping it doesn't mean you can't nurse once and a while, like maybe good night feedings. That way you can bond, and probably won't be enough to cause pain. 

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  • mrs. sagemrs. sage
    Have you tried the cooling gel pads (I think Medela makes them)?  I bought mine at BRU and they were a lifesaver.  It sounds like you've tried just about everything else so they may not work for you but it's worth a shot.
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  • DEBBIE33CASEYDEBBIE33CASEY

    that's why I EP.  It does hurt- and some people can't take the pain or aren't willing to wait it out (ME!).  EPing isn't a lot of fun but you're still doing a service to your baby by doing it. Good Luck with whatever you decide.

    Even EPing my nipples were sore for 3 months, just so you know.

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  • MrsZizMrsZiz member
    Pumping makes my nipples more sore than BFing DD! I hate pumping and could never be an EP. I love the bond I feel when I bf DD and hate being attached to a pump but that's just me. THe cooling gel pads (I had ameda ones) worked wonders when my nipples were raw!
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  • margeincharge2margeincharge2

    imageMrsZiz:
    Pumping makes my nipples more sore than BFing DD! I hate pumping and could never be an EP. I love the bond I feel when I bf DD and hate being attached to a pump but that's just me. THe cooling gel pads (I had ameda ones) worked wonders when my nipples were raw!

    Ditto this. I remember the pain of breastfeeding at first was tough to get past with the cracked nipples and all. But once you get past that, it really is less painful than pumping. It's actually quite soothing.

    All I can say is keep using Lansinoh, try airing them out, put some breastmilk on them. It is painful for at least 10 days or so. But once your body adjusts it all goes away.

    Hang in there if you can! I was initially stuck in a pumping rut when DS was born and it took a lot of work to switch to exclusive breastfeeding. Now we mostly breastfeed but I do pump when I'm away from him.

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  • beckytrbeckytr member

    imagemrs. sage:
    Have you tried the cooling gel pads (I think Medela makes them)?  I bought mine at BRU and they were a lifesaver.  It sounds like you've tried just about everything else so they may not work for you but it's worth a shot.

    this - gel pads that a lactation consultant gave me healed my cracked/bleeding nipples - i tried the cream, shells, airtime but that didn't work.  GL. 

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  • RubygirlRubygirl member
    So pumping doesn't hurt, but nursing does?  Have you gone to see an LN?  It could be the way she's latching, even though it may not seem like it.  It really shouldn't hurt to nurse if it doesn't hurt to pump.  
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  • KnittyKnitty
    Are you sure her latch is perfect? Because it shouldn't hurt like that.
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  • chloephoebecalichloephoebecali member
    Try ibuprofen.  I noticed the pain much more when I stopped taking it - when my lower region was feeling much better pp, and figured I did not need it anymore.  I started taking it again and I really think it helped with the pain.  It didn't take care of all of the pain, but it took the edge off.  Let's just say I could tell when I was overdue for my next dose.  GL and try this before you quit.  It may just do the trick until you can get through the tough first few weeks.
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