My nipples are sooooo sore!!!

Re: My nipples are sooooo sore!!!

• namara5532 member

  March 2012

  It does get better.  I would try some different holds to get him to latch differently.  Because I have large breasts, the only way DS can latch properly is with a boppy in the cross cradle hold.  We used the football hold though to teach him how to do it.  Also, as he got bigger, his mouth was big enough to get a proper latch.  It may not hurt to get the opinion of another LC on how you can help him get a better latch.

  The first few weeks are hard, but just keep using nipple cream and make sure his mouth is all the way open before having him latch.  You can do it.

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• KYRN

  March 2012

  I don't think it's true that you don't need to worry about a bad latch.  I've seen 2 different LC's this time and used a shield.  When I started with the shield my nips were starting to heal and even though we seemed to have a good latch with the shield the breakdown and bleeding (of my nips) got worse.

  I also recommend the med.ela hydrogel dressing pads to help with relief and aid in healing.

  
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• jscagcia1 member

  March 2012

  I agree about the gel pads. For an added bonus, you could try putting the hydrogel pads in the fridge to get them nice and cool. Get two sets so one can be in fridge while you wear the others. Also, other poster mentioned lanolin cream, this helps too. I recommed Lansinoh brand.

  One thing to consider, perhaps the shields you are using are too small? There are 3 different sizes of silicone shields. 21mm, 24mm and 27mm ( same as pump flange sizes). Maybe the shield is not the proper size and is causing friction when your LO nurses. You could maybe try a bigger size shield.

  Afew other things to try: (beside a second opinion--which I agree with OP on), 1) try applying lanolin before you put the shield on. Just a small size amount, this will not only help the shield to stay put but will also cut down on the friction while nursing. 2) Try a different brand/style of shield. I used Medela for the longest time, then discovered that Tommee Tippee also makes one. The TT one allows for more skin contact, even has spaces cut into the tip. If you are sore, this may not be something you will be into but you never know. Perhaps combining lanolin cream with a different brand/style or size shield may just be the ticket.

  After nursing, apply some milk to them and let them dry good before closing back up. If they are staying too moist all the time, it's keeping the skin wet and fagile. If you still are having some discomfort in 3-5 days maybe talk to a LC about underlying issues such as thrush or bacteria that could be lingering and causing pain.  The skin may be broken, leaving you more suspectable to yeast and bacteria infecting the skin and even the milk ducts. You said that your LO had issues latching so the LC gave you a shield. Did she delve into the reason behind the latching issues at all? The cause may be more than just needing practice. The reasons behind the latching issues for my LO and I was that my son was tongue tied and also had a tight labial frenlum under his top lip, both make a proper latch phyically impossible. We ended up getting a referral to a pediatric ENT to have both clipped. My son was 3 weeks when we have the procedure done. I'm not saying that's the case for you. I am suggesting that a second look at why the latch isn't good may be needed.

   Afew thoughts, to leave with you, even though you are using a sheild it's important to practice good latching, as often as you can (when you think about it). Shields are just "training wheels" toward nursing "au naturale". So practicing will help to reenforce good technique. Eventually, though, your baby will be old enough that parts match and you can stress less about latch/form. Things will get better and easier. Your LO is so tiny right now and still learning the ropes. I nursed my LO with shields until 4 months or so. I used the Medela ones, then found the TT ones, switched to those. Not long after that, we just started trying without anything. Eventually things just fell into place on their own. Have faith and be confident in knowing that you and your LO are still learning. Eventually you'll both be pros! For more help and encouragement, kellymom.com is a great source and LLL's co-founders wrote The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. I can not stress how much more confidence the LLL book alone gave me. I downloaded it to my iPhone so that I could read it while nursing.

  I'm sorry that it's so long but I hope that this helps and good luck.

  

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