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4 weeks and needing BF help...still hurts :(

genkidesugenkidesu member
in Breastfeeding

DD is 4 weeks, and BFing still hurts like a mo-fo. i DREAD doing it every 2 hours. some days i'll think it's getting better, but then nope. still hurts at the next feed. i went to a LC, but she didn't really have much to say. she said her latch is good, and the only suggestion she had was to keep switching BF positions so DD isn't always sucking in the same spot.

today, it seems like her latch looks good from the outside, but her gums still close in on the nipple on the inside. does anyone have any tips for keeping her gums/mouth more open? it's KILLING me. i want to keep doing this, but the pain is still absolutely awful.

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Re: 4 weeks and needing BF help...still hurts :(

  • leah2bleah2b member
    i was still having serious pain at 4 weeks.  It wasn't until about 6 weeks that it started feeling better.  I am happy to report that now I have no pain and actually enjoy bfing.  I NEVER thought those words would come out of my mouth at the 4 week mark. I never went to a lactation consultant or anything else - the pain just went away.  I think this is one of the dirty little secrets of breastfeeding - initially it can hurt like a mo-fo for quite a few weeks but eventually, the pain will likely go away.  Hang in there a couple more weeks - I bet it will get much better! 
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  • lylipadlylipad member
    Relief is coming! On average it takes about 6 weeks until the pain subsides. Just remember that you are doing something completely selfless for your baby and that it is really the best source of nourishment for her. Also, there is a brand of breast pads I think they are lillypadz that make a pad that can be cooled to sooth.
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  • I am Marla SingerI am Marla Singer member

    Hang in there- it gets better! For ensuring a wide mouth, my LCD suggested using your opposite hand to support and push forward Between LO's shoulder blades. This naturally shifts her head back- and helps aim her chin at the breast. That way she's going in chin first- not nose first. Hold her in very close to your body this way. It really helped us to improve a so-so latch.

     

    Good luck! 

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  • KiedisKiedis member

    imageleah2b:
    i was still having serious pain at 4 weeks.  It wasn't until about 6 weeks that it started feeling better.  I am happy to report that now I have no pain and actually enjoy bfing.  I NEVER thought those words would come out of my mouth at the 4 week mark. I never went to a lactation consultant or anything else - the pain just went away.  I think this is one of the dirty little secrets of breastfeeding - initially it can hurt like a mo-fo for quite a few weeks but eventually, the pain will likely go away.  Hang in there a couple more weeks - I bet it will get much better! 

    Yup. By six weeks I felt better, by two months it was pain-free. I always felt like I was doing something wrong, because so many things you read say it should never hurt. Just think of how much easier it will be a few weeks down the road. I often think about what a pain it would be if I had to be mixing formula, making bottles, etc. The harder route at the beginning, but I think it's much easier than the alternative down the road. 

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  • RedCamaroRedCamaro member
    Ah, hang in there. It does take until 6 weeks to get in the groove. Has your LO been assesed for being tongue tied? When a baby is tongue tied, the tongue can't get past the gums and you feel like LO is biting you. Also you should check for a yeast infection in LO and on your nips (you'll probably need the doctor to check this). GL, you're almost out of the woods!
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  • fancypants23fancypants23
    I know they say if you have the right latch it shouldn't hurt, but it still does!  But relief will come!  If it doesn't here is a suggestion & possible cause that I've had experience with. There are nipple guards that are available at Babies R Us that can help alleviate some pain (I liked the Medela brand).  I had to use them for biological reasons, but they also helped immensely with the pain!  I stopped using them about 2 months and we are 6.5 months and going strong!  Also, check for thrush. It is an over abundance of yeast and produces white patches inside your babies mouth/tongue which can be painful for baby and also causes your nipples to be red and very sore.  Her pediatrician can prescribe medicine for both you and baby.  It will get better and your doing the best for you baby!!
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  • genkidesugenkidesu member
    thank you so much everyone for your words of encouragement! it helps me pull through. i'm glad i'm getting closer to that 6 week mark! you're right, it is SO frustrating when i'm told it shouldnt still be hurting when it does! i will stick it out for DD :) it really is the best for her, it's just killing me, currently! lol...excited for it to not hurt anymore.
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  • tayrob1986tayrob1986 member

    I know it's tough, but you can do it! I was VERY tender (brought me to tears) the first 6 weeks. At 6 weeks all of the pain went away. You have made it through four weeks, you can do two more! You will be so glad that you stuck with it once it doesn't hurt anymore.

    I found that Earth Mama Angel Baby Nipple Butter really helped. I put that on a lot. Also, after you nurse, leave your breast exposed with a bit of breast milk on it and let it air dry. Seriously helped me a bunch. I know you can keep it up.  

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