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Breastfeeding
LO is tearing up my nipples...help!
I have a 3 day old. She's BF pretty well actually, but I was letting her "feed" on each breast as long as she wanted (sometimes 40 minutes at a time) and my nipples are sooooo sore. (Talked w/ pedi and he says 10 min on each breast and if that's not enough, pump some and give the rest to her in a bottle). I'm dreading next time I have to feed her. It hurts so bad. What if anything can I do for them? I use Lanolin cream and try to express milk and apply that over the nipple as much as possible. I'm going to be getting a pump this week.
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Re: LO is tearing up my nipples...help!
10 minutes doesn't seem like nearly enough time for a baby that young to eat. I remember DD used to take an hour to eat in the beginning. I would be a little worried about introducing a bottle so young, if you wish to continue to breastfeed.
But to make your nipples feel better, I would continue using lanolin after every feeding, and getting some sort of cold pack to put on your nipples after she eats. The LC gave me these little gel pads that you keep in the fridge and put on afterwards. They feel SO nice!
DS took a super long time to eat in the beginning - an hour was normal. lily padz are great -gel pads that help, also the lanolin of course! Baby will speed up as she gets older, but I don't think that ten minutes is the norm for a baby that young.
You may also want to check with a lactation consultant to make sure the latch isn't causing the pain.
hang in there!
I went through this and I got to the point where I dreaded feeding LO and was sobbing. I remember it being 3am and holding my crying baby and just not wanting to feed her.
As well as the nipple cream and breast milk, vinegar in boiled water is soothing and healing.
One tablespoon of vinegar to 1 cup boiled water. Pour some into an egg cup and dip your nipples in and allow to dry. Don't pour the used mix into the sterile mix. I would keep my mix in the fridge and it was really soothing.
I also used breast shields. You wear them between feedings like a shell over the nipple. (not the same as nipples shields) They pull off some of the excess milk and so help with engorgement, and they catch the milk in a little tray. They also help your nipples heal because no fabric is coming into contact with them and they have air circulating around them.
You do look like a fembot wearing them but I found them to be a godsend. At first I wondered how I would live without them but as my nipples healed, I didn't need them after a few days.
Good luck working through this, I agree with pp to get your latch checked, but even with a good latch it can hurt like hell once your nipples are all cracked and messed up.
hang in there, I'm sure right now it feels like BF will never be comfortable, but once you get through this it is incredibly easy and really enjoyable.
Elizabeth 5yrs old Jane 3yrs old
soothies gel pads were wonderful for me. you can refrigerate them.
i would not suggest pumping this early. it could mess up your supply. your baby is much more efficient than a pump.
you can take advil or tylenol 30 minutes before each feeding to help. and drink ice water. it will get better, i promise!
ETA: also, always wear your breast pads so your nipples don't stick to your shirt. and in the shower, wear a sports bra to prevent your nipples from getting chapped. it helps to walk around topless too to let them dry after each feeding. i would reiterate the one suggestion to make sure the latch isn't causing the problem. GL!
Are you taking pain meds? If not, you could try the Rx Motrin- 800mg. This saved my life with breastfeeding.