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Painful initial latch, but subsides after feeding? LO is 1 month old...

ReneeDerek04ReneeDerek04 member
in Breastfeeding

OK ladies, this is attempt number 2 at BFing. I tried with DS but got discouraged by unsupportive family and Dr's before we even hit a month of BFing. We had the picture-perfect BFing relationship before he developed a rash and a (VERY unintelligent) ped. told us he was allergic to my BM. He latched on beautifully right from the start, nursed like a champ, and I never had any pain aside from engorgement.

Flash forward to DD - She started out much like her brother, latched on like a pro from the beginning and nursed well. Now, she latches on like a little piranha and it gets so painful I could cry! I know my milk flows quick at times, but even if I pump to alleviae the pressure and flow she'll still "bite" at times. It is so painful that I'm almost ready to stop, but once the pain subsides we're both fine.

I don't want to resort to EPing or FFing, and to be honest she is so adamant about not taking a bottle that I'm afraid it will just make matters worse. I know she is latching correctly, just not sure why it still hurts so badly or what I can do about it. I have shields that I use on occasion, but they're so inconvenient and I really don't want to have to buy a whole bunch of them if I can avoid it. Any tipe or tricks? Thanks so much!!! (Sorry so long)

~Renee Mommy to Caden (4)and Ariana (10 months) Image and video hosting by TinyPic Mommy and her babies, Disney World, April 24, 2011
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Re: Painful initial latch, but subsides after feeding? LO is 1 month old...

  • CaitlinJ22CaitlinJ22 member

    I would contact a LLL leader or an LC. There could be many different things going on. a few tips:

    for soreness and pain, try alternating positions--that way her gums are on a different spot on your nipple each time. Try football and cradle and rotate.

    Try breast shells--not shield--they go in yout bra and help your nipples get air and protect ythem from your bra rubbing against them.

    really make sure she is on right, have your H look as well and make sure her lips flange out like a fish.

    Call your OB and ask for a script for all purpose nipple cream. it works wonders I hear,

    Are they burining and red? do you think its thrush? if so ask your OB

    hang in there, For me with DS I had 10 weeks of soreness, 4 wks of an open cut on my nipples--thats not normal. I didnt ask for help and wish I had earlier. at 10 weeks I went to a LLL meeting and got help and support. I suggest trying that. Try to stick with it and use some of the tips above for 2 more weeks at least.

    you can do it! 

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  • rmaximrmaxim
    Ditto PP - get some support! The first month IS really rough but you are pretty much past the hump and usually by 6 weeks the discomfort is substantially decreased and by 3 months you'll be loving it, I promise! (I too, like the PP, had really bad open "splits" on my nipples for weeks so it was by no means easy, but we hung in there and now it's great!).
    Jude Wayne - Born 4/23/10 Violet Patricia - Born 12/5/12 Breastfeeding, baby-wearing work-at-home mom of 2 living in Rockville, MD
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