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March 2012 Moms
Jazzyashes84
member
nipple pain/nipple guards?? when did you start pumping??
Jazzyashes84
member
I'm still having really bad pain when he latches. he is latching correctly, but it's the first 30-60 seconds that I cringe. I had someone say they used nipple guards?? where do I get these and does it help?? Please advise. TY
ALSO, my OB, the lactation consultant, and my pediatrician have all suggested waiting until 4 weeks to give LO a bottle. I haven't started pumping yet, but when did you start and when did you give LO his first bottle?TTC#2: 8/17/14 // BFP: 9/5/14
TTC#1: 7/30/11 // BFP: 8/22/11
DS: Carson Robert 4/29/12
This discussion has been closed.
Re: nipple pain/nipple guards?? when did you start pumping??
Our target has a entire section dedicated to Medela, who makes the breast shield I used. We also have several local baby stores that carry them. The shields come in different sizes. I started out with the medium, but was informed by a lactation consultant that it was too big. I had to get the smallest size. So you might want to ask a lactation consultant what size you should get. I needed to use it to help my baby latch, but have been able to go without it as she's gotten bigger and better at latching.... probably around 4 weeks or so. My LO is 9 weeks and, for what it's worth, that initial pain has diminished but she can still get me every now and then. Oddly, I got used to it, but it definitely hurt for awhile.
I started pumping around 4 weeks, which was when we introduced a bottle. A benefit of the bottle is that my husband has picked up one of the night time feedings, so I'm sleeping for a longer block at night. I've also been building up my reserves in the freezer which I hope will help out when I go back to work.
I pumped a little in the hospital with DD, but only because we gave some formula.
I didn't really want to pump until the nipple pain subsided.. so around 2-3 weeks. There were a few instances during those weeks where I was going to be away from DD, so I pumped so she could have a bottle, but didn't pump for "extra" milk until recently.
If your LO is latching just fine, and you aren't going to be away from your baby, then I wouldn't pump until 4-5 weeks at the earliest. If you're going to be away from your baby or want someone to offer a bottle, then pump for that bottle... but I wouldn't make a habit of it. The last thing you want is an oversupply.
We gave a bottle for the first time at 4 days. My milk had come in but she wouldn't latch. Turns out it was because I was so engorged. So my LC gave me a nipple shield to help with my short nipples and it's been smooth sailing ever since. She will still take either a bottle or breast. Oh and since I'm still using the shield, my nipples have not been sore once. And I've only put lanolin on them twice.
GL!
Georgia 3/15/2012 Matilda 6/12/2014 TWINS!! Babies 3&4 EDD 11/22/2016
OP - if he is latching well, you really dont want to turn to nipple shields because then he could become dependent on them. They could mess with his latch now and then once he gets it down, he may not go back to nursing without them.
I hate to say it, but I think you just need to nurse through the pain. Are they cracked and bleeding? Or is it just painful? If they are cracked, etc, you may want to see a lactation consultant. It might be a good idea to see one anyway, they may have so more suggestions for you.
I started pumping around 3 1/2 weeks. I only pump once after he goes to bed and once in the morning after his 7/8am feed. I've been able to pump a little extra for the freezer but mostly I just pump to keep 2 bottles in the fridge. H started giving him 1 bottle a day at about 4 weeks (his first wake up of the night around 2am).
Good luck, I hope that things get better for you soon. I wish I had a better answer for you, but nursing through it and nipple cream is all I did and things are great now! (I also had pain upon his initial latch that lasted about 30-45 seconds)