Anyone choose to EP due to nipple issues?

marleysmom · February 2011

Despite working closely with an LC both with my first child and this time around, it seems that my nipples just aren't made for durability when it comes to breastfeeding. My kids have both latched like champs and my milk supply is great, but my extremely painful, bleeding, shredded nipples make the experience so miserable. I've used a nipple shield and while it helps some, it is messy, inconvenient and makes me dread breastfeeding that much more. When I return to work 5 weeks from now I will be pumping a minimum of 2-3 times/day, sometimes much more when I take 24-hour call shifts. I am seriously considering switching to EP now to save my nipples and my sanity. Anyone choose to EP for similar reasons - I'm interested in hearing others' experiences. Thanks!

ValVail67 · February 2011

May I ask what sort of nipple issues you are having? Perhaps you don't need to EP & can resolve your nipple issues another way.

Aly12501 · February 2011

Meeeee! My DD was "an agressive eater" and it was super painful. When we were in the hospital, I nicknamed her "Chompers." I tried Lanolin, shields, everything and anything. 2 weeks in and I just couldn't take it. So I started EPing. My husband was super helpful and supportive and there were times during my leave when I had to be creative - rocking the bassinet w/my foot while pumping, etc. But 7 and half months later, I am still EPing and DD LOVES milk so much I think I'd feel bad to switch to FF. It made my transition going back to work really easy because I had always pumped. Now I pump upon waking, at 11:30a, 4:30p & before bed. DD's first morning bottle is fresh and we refrigerate the other bottles. Our pedi said that the most important thing is for the baby to get the nutrition - doesn't matter if it's not straight from the source.

Good luck!!!!

marleysmom · February 2011

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. I truly believe that my nipples are just incredibly delicate since this has now happened with both of my children despite working closely with LCs, careful attention to latch, using Vigilon wound dressings religiously, nipple shields, etc, My nipples are just destroyed and shredded - bleeding, scabbed, raw. Having been through this once before, my optimism for moving past this very successfully is low, at least not without a lot of crying, misery, and pain. I am a much happier mom when I'm pumping, and at this point I think I would be happy to skip the misery stage and move on to EP - especially if the alternative is to quit producing BM all together!

belizeitornot · February 2011

Not yet, but I'm leaning towards it. Actually, I've been thinking about it since about 4 weeks but just keep sucking it up because I'm not ready to give up BFing. I have a "super sucker" and we've managed to fix her latch issues, but she still sucks HARD and chomps down. My nips are always so sore during and after a feeding and no amount of lanolin or other creams is helping.

We go through phases where things get better, and then (like now) she hurts me really bad multiple feedings in a row and I decide to just pump that side for a few days to give it a rest. It sucks! I just keep waiting for it to get better and keep being disappointed. Stick out tongue

Anyway, if I do decide to EP, I think I'll only make it to when she starts solids. I can't imagine trying to keep up with that for longer than 6 months. Good luck whatever you decide!

lemon.sarie · February 2011

Me!
With my first daugther I had to EP as we never got her to latch (even with a LC) - I have very large flat nipples (one is inverted, the other just totally flat).

With my second DD we worked with a LC and Lactation specialist Dr for the first 2 months of her life! We did get her latching, but it hurts too much for me to breastfeed her as she chews and the hard sucking drawing out my nipples is excruciating. I am EPing as even with Advil I find feeding sessions too painful (and the pain was starting to affect my letdown and so she wasn't getting enough and wanting to feed all the time, which my nipples cannot take).

I find EPing hard, and probably don't do it as long as if I could breastfeed (I pumped for 6 months with DD1, and am aiming to do the same for DD2 - but it's much harder with a toddler running around!).

Good luck
Sarah

kimberly_ann81 · February 2011

I've considered (and still am) also due to a strange/deformed left nipple. My right is fine but the left on looks like it is missing part of the top. Instead of being nice an rounded the left on has a "cliff drop off". It hurts to nurse on the left side, so I try to feed first on the right and offer the left is he still wants more milk.

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Anyone choose to EP due to nipple issues?

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