Breastfeeding Damage

TracyB4889 · May 2015

Hi ladies, I'm a long time lurker first time poster. I need some breastfeeding advice. Sorry for the long post. My beautiful little girl was born 4/1. I met with an LC before leaving the hospital that recommended a shield to keep her latched. We kept using that for a few days, then went without it for a week without any problems. In that time my nipples got some serious damage, I mean raw and bleeding. At 2 weeks old, we met with an LC again who told me to stop nursing completely and only pump and bottle feed until I was healed. But she said her latch was great, no signs of tongue tie, and that she just has a powerful suck. I've spent the last 2 weeks healing and bottle feeding. I went back to the LC yesterday to attempt breastfeeding again. She latched on immediately, but by the end of the feeding my nipples are torn and raw again

. I'm devastated I can't nurse my little girl. I'm glad I can still pump and feed her breast milk, but I really want to get her on the breast. My supply isn't great, and I can barely keep up with her. The LC said that some women's nipples just can't handle nursing. I hate to think that might be the case for me. I can almost bare the pain of nursing when using a shield, but without it is just too painful. Has anyone gone through this? Any advice???

JAP09-02 · May 2015

I spent 6 weeks with my last child healing my nipple & getting her to breast. She'd taken a big chunk out of the side. What ultimately helped me was expressing milk after each feeding & using it as nipple cream. I also used shells to keep my clothes from rubbing. I think part of my problem was trying to do things "text book." Eventually I went with what worked/felt comfortable even though it might not have been considered the perfect latch. Time eventually helped too because her mouth got bigger.

Have you tried different holds (cross cradle, football)?

I also really hesitated due to pain & often missed the point at which her mouth was open the widest.

Sorry this is getting long, but can I just add that I hate when they say it shouldn't hurt if you're doing if right? I've also had pain this time around but caught it early enough to ward it off. Everytime I was also told his latch was perfect.

In the end you have to do what you have to do. Pumping is a lot of work, but not the end of the world. A happy, comfortable mom is important too.

Good luck!

TracyB4889 · May 2015

Wow, I'm sorry to hear you went through that, 6 weeks is a long time! But hearing that gives me hope that I can get through it too. I've tried several positions hoping one would be better, but unfortunately not. I too tend to hesitate when she goes to latch, knowing how bad it's going to hurt. It's like voluntarily putting your hand on a hot stove! I feel like I'm not getting to bond with her through breastfeeding. It breaks my heart and has brought me to tears several times.

Also, I fear that her not being able to nurse often like other babies up to this age has hurt my supply. I pump every 2.5 hours and only get about 2 oz each time. It's exhausting and frustrating. I sure have a new found respect for all the breastfeeding and pumping mommies out there!

mrsbb515 · May 2015

This is exactly what I needed to read. This is what I'm going through right now and I want to give up all together every other day. Everything hurts and then nursing hurts on top of it. Committed to nursing but it's so hard sometimes

astrat017 · May 2015

I went through a lot of this with my first and had to switch to formula after EP for 2 months because my supply was too low. It started again with this baby and unfortunately I've had to switch to formula again. I commend you mommies who are sticking with it. I'm trying not to feel guilty for making the switch because it has made a lot of positive changes since we did it and my hubby is super supportive. Kuddos to you all for everything you're going through.

arussell21l · May 2015

I had raw and bleeding nipples with my first. I met with our lactation consultant several times, and the only thing that helped was time. I won't lie, it hurt for well over a month. I cried every time he latched. But I stuck with it, and they healed. I ended up breastfeeding until his first birthday, and I'm so happy I did. This time, they were raw for only a few days, and I expressed milk and let them air dry. Much easier the second time around. Good luck!

TracyB4889 · May 2015

arussell21l said:
I had raw and bleeding nipples with my first. I met with our lactation consultant several times, and the only thing that helped was time. I won't lie, it hurt for well over a month. I cried every time he latched. But I stuck with it, and they healed. I ended up breastfeeding until his first birthday, and I'm so happy I did. This time, they were raw for only a few days, and I expressed milk and let them air dry. Much easier the second time around. Good luck!

Did you continue to breastfeed while they healed? I'm scared that if I continue they will never heal because it's reopening the wound each time. Glad to hear the second time was easier for you!

rvhuddleston · May 2015

They will heal, even if you continue breastfeeding. With my first, it was the curling, tear inducing pain for about 4 weeks, then it slowly got better. I had to use a shield with him for a few weeks because he wouldn't latch otherwise, but it was a hassle weaning him from it. By 6 weeks, I was pretty much healed, and by 8 weeks, I probably could have towed a car with my nipples they were so tough! I have naturally sensitive nipples, so those first weeks were horrible. I wanted to give up so bad. There were cracks, blisters, blood, and scabs, but they went away, and I breastfed him until he was 2.5. With my second, things are easier, but I still went through a good week and a half of pretty intense pain, and again, blisters, blood, and cracks. I'm healed again now though, and pain free. If you can power through the pain, it WILL get better. I think some of us just have more sensitive skin, especially if our babies are powerful suckers. Hope it gets better soon!

jenniferaudrey0116 · May 2015

I was recommended bacitracin to use to heal my broken skin and I was healed in 7 days while continuing to breast feed and felt very little pain. Now 25 days of nursing only and it doesn't hurt at all.

lakell37 · May 2015

As long as you confirm that your baby has latched on correctly, your nipples will heal. This is my 3rd baby to breastfeed and each time is really hurts in the beginning. I apply expressed breast milk on the nipples, allow them to dry then apply pure lanolin after each feeding. My newborn is 4 weeks and breastfeeding does not hurt now. It took about 2 weeks to get to this point. Breastfeeding is worth it!!!! It will get better.

Annmanrique · May 2015

I had the same problem. First it was getting him to latch then it when he did I couldn't handle the pain. So now I just pump and bottle feed him. I did run into the problem of not producing enough milk last week. Someone suggested fenugreek and mothers milk tea. It worked for me and now were back on track. I do let him latch 2 times daily for stimulation.

TracyB4889 · May 2015

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. Hearing these stories gives me motivation to keep going! All the pain is worth it for my little girl.

As far as supply issues, I feel like I am trying everything. Taking 3 fenugreek 3x daily, drinking MilkFlow drink 2x a day, mothers milk tea at night, eating oatmeal in multiple foods, pumping every 2-3 hours, and pumping after nursing. It's exhausting! I know there are medications that can help with supply, but I haven't gone down that path yet. Any other suggestions you can think of to help my supply???

sks306 · May 2015

I have been having this same problem for the last week (minus the shields) - blisters, bleeding, and searing pain. Last night I called a 24-hour breastfeeding hotline that my state has and spoke with a lactation consultant. I was trying to find anything that could relieve the pain and thought they could help. From my description and her asking a couple of questions, she was able to determine what was even causing the problem. For me, because I have larger breasts, I am limited with how I can hold my son to nurse. A football hold is easiest for me right now. She said that with that hold, the feet, chest, and face all need to be facing the same direction. If his head is turned towards my breast, he will try to correct it on my own, pulling the nipple. She also said that when I nurse, I need to position the nipple towards his tongue because it is probably ending up at the roof of his mouth which would cause the blistering and bleeding. She told me that I will need to push through the pain, but that those tips should help. In every feeding on that side since that conversation last night, I have experienced little to no pain.

I would advise checking to see if your state offers such a hotline, or look for a breastfeeding support group in your area. I can attest to how well these resources can help.

AmandaMiller10 · May 2015

This website is very helpful if you have painful breastfeeding, here is a link:

https://breastfeeding-training.com/how-to-ease-breastfeeding-pain/

ejra · May 2015

I've also had the cracked and bleeding nipples which I did not expect. I thought bfing would be a natural, intuitive thing but sadly it has been one of the biggest heart-wrenching challenges of my life. I went to a bfing support group and an LC there helped me correct the latch at 2 weeks. Baby was too far over towards my armpit and my nipple was chaffing on the roof of his mouth. I was crying in pain and frustration during most feeds. She said to continue bfing but to use jelonet after every feed. Jelonet is a sterile severe burn gauze, which I cut into little squares to cover the nipple. It's a bit of extra work but I'm healing SO much faster - it saved me. I'm now at 4-1/2 weeks and still have that searing pain for 10 seconds or so at the latch but it then gets better and the big cracks are closing up. We have setbacks still and have to work to get the latch right at every feed, but it's getting better. Just wanted to share my experience, hope it at least helps to know you aren't alone!

This latching video really helps me to get the latch right - I watch it often so we don't develop anymore bad habits.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XfEV2oLRQy4

Good luck to all you mamas with painful nipples, it is so freaking tough to feel such pain (torture!) during what should be a sweet nurturing & bonding time with baby.

keramy11ek · May 2015

Oh my god. If I could pick one thing about being a FTM that I was least prepared for, it would be the challenges and pain of breastfeeding. Hands down.

My daughter is a great sleeper, she was born a week late on 4/28 and is a big girl at almost 9 lbs (born 8lb-7oz).

I swear she is a sea monster at the breast and I hated nursing her, every second of it. So after a week, I switched to a hospital grade pump and have been doing that and bottle feeding ever since. I really want to get back on the breast but I'm terrified of how much it was hurting and how much I dreaded feeding my own child. It was traumatic for both of us. They said she was latching perfectly at the hospital, and it still killed. I got a nipple shield and am going to try to return to the breast. My milk supply is (for now) amazing - I do 5oz per pump. I won the milk lottery. But obviously am scared that she will re-destroy my nipples due to the week of bottle usage.

Something which is an amateur and probably obvious hack that I was proud of for thinking up, is freezing water bottles now that the weather is warm, and using them to be able to ice my breasts in public and stay hydrated at the same time - soothe and sip, baby.

Otherwise, has anyone done the conversion after taking a few days or a week off? I know it's not ideal to do early, but since she had the skill down apparently maybe I'll get lucky? Help give me some courage please

TracyB4889 · May 2015

keramy11ek said:
Oh my god. If I could pick one thing about being a FTM that I was least prepared for, it would be the challenges and pain of breastfeeding. Hands down.

My daughter is a great sleeper, she was born a week late on 4/28 and is a big girl at almost 9 lbs (born 8lb-7oz).

I swear she is a sea monster at the breast and I hated nursing her, every second of it. So after a week, I switched to a hospital grade pump and have been doing that and bottle feeding ever since. I really want to get back on the breast but I'm terrified of how much it was hurting and how much I dreaded feeding my own child. It was traumatic for both of us. They said she was latching perfectly at the hospital, and it still killed. I got a nipple shield and am going to try to return to the breast. My milk supply is (for now) amazing - I do 5oz per pump. I won the milk lottery. But obviously am scared that she will re-destroy my nipples due to the week of bottle usage.

Something which is an amateur and probably obvious hack that I was proud of for thinking up, is freezing water bottles now that the weather is warm, and using them to be able to ice my breasts in public and stay hydrated at the same time - soothe and sip, baby.

Otherwise, has anyone done the conversion after taking a few days or a week off? I know it's not ideal to do early, but since she had the skill down apparently maybe I'll get lucky? Help give me some courage please

You can do it if your heart is in it. My DD has been back at the breast for 5 days now after being exclusively bottle fed for 2.5 weeks. Hearing other mom's stories really encouraged me. Each day gets less painful. I still have a bit of damage, but it's healing (slowly, but healing). The medela breast shells have been my best friend, I highly recommend them. I still pump and bottle feed at night. Trying to nurse in the wee hours of the morning is just too stressful and painful, and it gives me a break to heal.

DD is still learning how to completely empty my breasts of milk. She gets a little frustrated at times because it's not easy like the bottle. She's getting better though. Sometimes I give her an ounce of pumped milk after nursing if she isn't satisfied. I've also been using preemie bottle nipples so the extra slow flow simulates the breast better.

Good luck, you can do it mama!

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