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Please help! In excruciating pain

[Deleted User][Deleted User] member
in Breastfeeding
I think LO has a shallow latch but I can't seem to fix it. He's 4 days old, and the lactation consultant when I was in the hospital worked with me and said his latch looked really good (a lot of breast tissue in his mouth, lips flared), so I can't figure out what's wrong. My nipples are on fire 24/7, the lanolin and gel soothies are barely helping. 

I've been researching ways to improve the latch and have been using the cross cradle hold as of last night (was using the cradle hold before), but I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. My right nipple has the lipstick look, but it's the one that hurts less. It's the smaller of my two nipples, so I think that's why he has an easier time latching, but it still hurts and it still looks like lipstick. When I was in the hospital this nipple was doing great, nice and elongated after baby detached from feeding, so I really have no idea how this all went downhill as soon as I got home.

Left nipple is different. This has always been my slightly bigger breast, and the nipple on it is bigger/puffier than the right nipple. I honestly think it's too big for his mouth. Even when he opens wide and takes a big "bite", a good amount of areola still shows. This nipple doesn't have the lipstick look, instead it is flat on top with deep horizontal creases in the circumference. The pain on this side is seriously excruciating. It feels like my LO has a mouth made of glass shards when he feeds (most of the pain is in the areola where his lips are latched). I have tears in my eyes right now just thinking about being due for another feed on this side. 

I will be contacting the LC first thing tomorrow since the office is closed today, but I need help or some insight/suggestions. LO also has a pedi appointment and they will have another look at his tongue tie (LC in the hospital did say it looked like he has a slight one but didn't think it needed to be clipped). I just don't know how I'll get through the night like this :(
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Re: Please help! In excruciating pain

  • 2junebabies2junebabies member
    I am so sorry you're going through this. Unfortunately, I don't have much advice about getting through the night, but it is definitely smart of you to call the LC tomorrow morning. If the hospital LC said he has a slight tongue tie, then clipping it might provide much needed relief for both of you. There is a LC in my area who holds numerous breastfeeding support groups and she really believes that tongue ties are usually minimized and glossed over when in reality fixing them would be really helpful. 

    I want to give you some encouragement. My DD is 16 months now and still breastfeeding. My first 8 weeks with her were incredibly difficult. My nipples were a cracked, bloody mess and I felt the same way as you where I cringed and wanted to cry thinking about the next feeding. Our issue was that when I became engorged she couldn't get a deep latch which caused nipple damage that just would not heal. I finally got some All Purpose Nipple Ointment and that fixed me right up. Since then, breastfeeding has been a blast. It does get better! I know it is so hard, but if you stick with it it'll be so worth it! 

    If your left nipple is extremely painful, can you pump that side for now and only feed on the right side? I know that may not sound ideal, but just to help you through the night? Wishing you the best.
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  • candyland33candyland33 member
    I agree with PP contact your LC.

    I will also say I was in so much pain at first but I'm sure people have told you it gets better. Just take it day by day.

    Sending your encouraging vibes keep going you can do it!
    <a href="http://lilypie.com/"><img src="http://lb1f.lilypie.com/Hfl7m5.png" width="400" height="80" border="0" alt="Lilypie First Birthday tickers" /></a>
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  • DoubleUp8DoubleUp8 member
    Thanks for posting. DS is 10 days old and I am I am experiencing something similar. He latches well on the right, but on the left he has been having trouble and each "suck" is painful. My LC at the hospital had me using a nipple sheild to help him b latch since he has a high palette. He had weaned off using the shelf on the right, but still needs it on the left. I am also going to contact my LC tomorrow. Hang in there! You aren't alone!
    ~~Signature~~
    Me: 36, DH: 38, Together since: 2006, Married: 9/2011 
    **TW Living Child**
    BFP 9/19/20 - EDD - 6/1/21

    BFP 2/2014 - DS - 10/2014


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