I have a 3 day old and my milk hasn't come in yet. Bub is waking every couple of hours and the only thing that settles her is a feed. Problem is with feeds so frequent my nipples are red raw and so sore I don't think I can do it
Have you got any lanisol (sp?) to rub on them? Getting sore and cracked nipples was the worst! You can also rub a bit of milk on them after a feed and let them air dry. I know the early days are sooooo tough but you can get through it. Another thing would be have you checked her attachment to make sure she's not making you sore?
Congrats!!!! I didn't realise you'd had your little one! Very exciting. The early days are really tough... The good news is it gets easier
Many mums find their nipples extra sensitive and sore in the first few days, it is really normal. If you think about it, that part of your body is being used for something it's never been used for before. Sort of like a guitarist learning to strum or an athlete training to run a marathon.
Let them go free. Go braless if you can. After each feed, express a little milk and pat it entry onto the nipple, then air dry.
Try to avoid nipple shields - some mums find they introduce more problems than they solve!
Can I ask - does the pain ease as the feed progresses? Like is it quite sore right at the start and then eases a bit?
Hang in there. They will settle, if attachment is correct.
Mine were the same Tasha. It will get better after a week or so, keep working on helping bub to attach properly. Some ppl are really against shields but if it gets unbearable then they could be a good option. I had to use them with my DD and I did so for 3 months and slowly got her off them and BF her until she was 14 months. My issue with DS was that I was used to BF a 14 month old and was lazy in my support so bub was dragging my nipple down. Can you speak to a lactation consultant? Not sure where you are but I know someone fantastic in Melbourne's Sth East if you want to PM me. And congrats on bub
Tasha yes I remember that feeling. Lansinoh was my saviour and whatever I could squeeze out of my breast.
It does get better. To be honest though I sent DH out to get me an electric breast pump and I used to pump 1 or 2 feeds a day those first few weeks as it hurt less than feeding. It gave my nipples a rest.
Looking back now I really believe a lot of the pain was from poor latching and me not wanting to unlatch her and upset her. I have a lactation consultant as well and she was great. I have to still hold my breast when feeding I can't just cuddle and feed like everyone else I know or else my nipples get sore.
Hang in there I bet you are doing a great job!
Gosh this has been so hard She slept well after the labour, but now it seems she just won't settle without a feed. I am exhausted on around 6 hours sleep since 2:30pm Wednesday morning. I barely have time to eat. DH tries to settle her, but it is short lived and I just have to end up feeding.
At the hospital they said I was doing a great job and she was latching properly.
It's easy for things to change as you can get lazy with holding in correct position therefore changing latch (don't worry I'm not saying you are lazy I did the same until my MW mentioned it).
First thing it DOES get easier so tell yourself this will pass, hang in there you can do it.
Make sure you are sitting comfortably and correctly every time. Make sure Bub is propped up so there is no drag on the nipple.
If you are still getting severe pain unattached Bub (by breaking suction with your finger) and try and reattach so more comfortable.
Now that you are home I really recommend getting a lactation consultant or similar to come and see you.
I honestly don't know how people (especially women having trouble) do it without support. I had soooo much pain and trouble with my first but had my private MW on call to help me any time, it was invaluable. I found BF extremely difficult and painful at first but good news is it does get easier.
And also day3 (now) is usually the worst as Bub is wanting milk to come in etc...hang in there your milk will come in soon and things will settle.
I remember I had to hand express the odd feed to give my nipples a rest. And seriously at this point you only need a teaspoons worth, so try that. All I did was express a bit on spoon and feed Bub. Don't do it to often as you need Bub to feed at breast to help bring your milk in....which sounds like hat Bub is trying to I with feeding so frequently.
All that frequent feeding, crying etc is doing so wonders to bring in your milk. When your baby cries, really listen and know your body is responding by making hormones to make milk.
As for nipples, you've been given great advice. Can I ask if your nipples were a bit flat before? I had one almost inverted nipple and the first few weeks were all about stretching out that nipple and it did hurt. Thankfully it passed and I fed for 2.5 years each child. For me the pain was excruciating for the first thirty seconds then eased off and came back if bub slipped. I used to reattach so many times. If pain is constant it might be poor attachment.
Do you have any cracks or bleeding. You can twist your breast so bub misses the crack (I became an expert at that!!).
The lack of sleep is a killer. Stay in bed, get hubby to take bub for a walk using a sling so you have some time to sleep today. It is very very normal but such an intense beginning I know.
Hop in bed, move the TV in if possible or camp out on the couch, grab some books (or mags) and a water bottle, have your partner take care of bringing you food, even spooning it to you over your little ones head or making a smoothie (banana, yogurt, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, maybe some oats for some more energy etc) with a straw so you can drink while bub does. Just focus on feeding baby and resting, let others handle the other stuff.
It will be exhausting right now and day 3 is notorious for that worst hump as your hormones go haywire while your milk starts coming in. But it will get better!
Give your nipples lots of air which can be hard in winter but try because it will help them heal. Sun helps too so if there is a window you can sit near that is a good spot. And rub in some of the milk drops left behind (or hand express a few drops).
also if your breast are startin to fill up, maybe you need to express a bit by hand to soften the breast around the areola- helps with a good, deep latch.
hang in there hun, maybe give ABA line a call too.
I second the lansinoh, take panadol and nurofen for the pain, feed her as much as she wants- its normal for them to want to be on the breast a lot- it is your job to be with her so forget anything else- make others do the food, housework etc.
Does your hospital have a breastfeeding day centre?
Nothing like a cuddle from DD after a hard day's work!
Oct 2007
in my own world
3,267
Grats hun!!!!
The first few weeks is the hardest. I find that people tend to not mention that breastfeeding is so hard at the beginning.
My nipples were raw and bleeding and got infected due to
Mastitis but seriously after the initial few weeks when things settles down, it will be worth the while.
Have you tried lying down with bub while bf?
I was so sleep deprived with dd2 that was my only option after seeking advice on
BB and it was an absolute saviour.
And yes, it can be quite painful in those first few days - but it does get better, and then it gets wonderful, and second nature
I second the notion of expressing out a little extra and dabbing it onto your nipples and areola, and letting it air dry.
Lansinoh was a saviour for me, too, Plenty of it.
I tended to use bras and breastpads though - cloth ones - and that worked for me. My boobs were enormous, and they'd get cold if I went braless, but if that works for you, go for it.
Whatever works, hun.
Keep hanging in there. There's plenty of support here
And make sure your attachment is going well - get a lactation consultant or someone from the ABA to check out in person, to see if there's any pointers which might help. Good luck!
I also had this happen to me with both girls.I tried to later nipple cream on after every feed in that first week or two. After that time they stopped being so sore. It will get better!
Ok so I have been exactly there and it is horrible. I remember trying to feed dd and crying because I just couldn't cope with the pain.
Good news is if you are determined you can get past it and feed your baby
Get in contact with child and youth health services or the equivilent in your state. The are amazing. I was able to access a LC through them for free. She spent hours with me helping. Also all the ABA they have great ideas and help.
I found the breast milk/colustrum in the nipples letting them dry helped. For me the key was that my nipples needed to harden up, get calloused in a sense so that they aren't sensitive. Think of your hands as a kid on the monkey bars. At first it hurt, but then as the callouses grew you could keep going. We all stuck at the monkey bars because we liked them and were determined, it's the same for breast feeing if you can get your mind to tell you this is important to achieve you'll be able to work through the pain
Thanks everyone. I had the maternal health nurse come over today and bub has lost more than 10% her original body weight We tried some different techniques and it helped a lot. Bub hasn't been latching on properly and she was always hungry, that's why she wouldn't settle. But after I finally gave her a god feed today she slept for 2 hours!! Without waking!! So I have to feed every 3 hours and I'm expressing afterwards and giving her that too. After all the fussing I'm lucky to get an hour before I have to start again. It's really starting to get me down. My whole life has been completely turned upside down, it's so scary..
It's really common for bubs to lose 10%, so just keep on keeping on and you'll probably see it turn around over the next week.
Keep an eye on her wet nappies and her temperament more than the scales. Scales can be a good indicator some times, but don't let them freak you out. Every baby is different.
Very glad to hear that you've got some good advice about latching - that's key.
And the first few weeks are hard on you too, as a first time mum - be kind to yourself, and give yourself some big pats on the back. Even if it doesn't feel like it right now, you're doing a stellar job. Your world *is* upside down, and ruled by a tiny army of one - made by you! Things have changed. Gone are the days that you can just lie down, or pop out to the shops - this is a big adjustment. But the best reason for adjustments EVER.
Once latching is down pats, feeds will follow - which will promote better sleeps, and sleeping well is circular: meaning babies who sleep well will keep sleeping well, generally speaking. And babies who feed well and sleep well grow and develop well.
Registered User
Nipples are too sore :(
She slept well after the labour, but now it seems she just won't settle without a feed. I am exhausted on around 6 hours sleep since 2:30pm Wednesday morning. I barely have time to eat. DH tries to settle her, but it is short lived and I just have to end up feeding.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks