It hurts!!

**Heaven** · March 7th, 2009, 07:34 AM

My nipples are so sore and I've only been doing this for 6 days

It hurts.
Firstly I had a graze on the left side but then that got better and the right side got bad. I got onto it straight away and went to see a LC and she told me that attachment was perfect etc and it was probably just one bad feed or something that hurt my nipple and it will get better. It hurts a lot when she first latches on and then gets a bit better during the feed but I don't know how to tell if the continued hurting during the feed is because my nipples are already sore or because she's on wrong!! It always looks right, I can barely see any of my nipple when she's on there. I make sure she gets a big mouthful.

I just want to cry

Everything hurts me. Firstly a really long painful labour, then a c-section, then the breastfeeding. When do I get to enjoy my baby without being in pain

Can anyone give me some tips on breastfeeding when lying down too? I can't get the hang of it. I need one hand to hold my boob, then the other one is kinda lying straight out iykwim but I can't reach her head/back to help put her on. I don't get it. Can someone explain it to me??

Ok, I think that's all for now, just had to get that all out. This is so hard!! I'm glad I have you guys to vent to and ask questions.

**Janie** · March 7th, 2009, 07:37 AM

Hun, give the ABA a call 1800 mum2mum. They will be able to give you help with positioning, and also with attachment.

It will get better, and soon you won't hurt anymore, I promise.

**Visitor8** · March 7th, 2009, 07:45 AM

oh hun. Hugs!! Yes it is painful to start with. I got to the point that I would cry just THINKING about Ashton wanting to feed. BUT it does get better

By 3 or 4 weeks the pain had gone and I started to enjoy feeding.
The laying down think I don't hold my boob. I lay down, pop it out, lay Ash on his side in front of me and align him so he is attached but his nose is clear. One hand straight above him, the other holding his back and pushing him to my tummy. Did that make sense?

**OceanPrincess** · March 7th, 2009, 07:48 AM

Hey Heaven...

Stick with it, I feel your pain, literally. Also had a long labour, no c-sect but an epi that got infected, and sore nipples.

One of the MWs in hosp said to me that it is expected to hurt a bit. I find when DD first attaches it still hurts a bit, and I know she is on right. I guess its just getting used to the constant pulling and sucking.

Are you onto the lansinoh? Leasha on here suggested that to me to help with the tenderness. Put it on after a feed.

With the feeding in bed, I'll have to write more later... DD needs a change!

**Olive** · March 7th, 2009, 07:56 AM

i second janie hun and call the ABA, just giving you a big hug too

**Heaven** · March 7th, 2009, 07:56 AM

Janie- Can I ring the ABA even if I'm not a member? What do they do over the phone? I saw a LC this week and am going to see them again at the breastfeeding clinic on Monday to check again that I'm doing it right.

missymoo- that's what I'm like, right now I know she's going to wake up soon and I can feel myself getting all tense coz I know what's coming. Thanks for the info on lying down. I feel like I have to hold my boob tho otherwise she won't get on right. I will try, I'm just so scared to try and hurt it more or something but I'm going to give it a go. Would be easier in the night.

OP- The epi getting infected does not sound good. Believe it or not I had to have 2 epi's and then a spinal!! Nothing would work on me. Feels like everything that could went wrong!! Thanks, I have a small sample of lansinoh I'm using now!

AJP- Thankyou!!

Does it hurt like this for everyone at the start or am I doing something wrong? I can't figure out what and apparently the LC couldn't either!! But how does my nipple get grazed if nothing's wrong! When she comes off it seems more sore on the top of my nipple and more pulled out. I think it should look more even but the LC said the shape was alright as long as it doesn't look flattened or have a ridge or anything.

Thanks for the support guys. It's good to hear it gets easier coz right now I can't imagine it and I feel like I'm never going to be able to go anywhere or do anything.

**Olive** · March 7th, 2009, 08:01 AM

sara i had sucking blisters on my nipples which hurt like buggery, but they have healed, i also corrected my attachment, so your nipples are symetric when she comes off, not almond shaped or mis-shaped at all?? has she been checked for tongue-tie???? if she has tongue tie she might not be able to get the nipple far enough back in her mouth

**Heaven** · March 7th, 2009, 08:07 AM

That's what it looks like on one, like a blister, it looks a bit white on the end when she comes off. No, it's not symetrical, it looks like she's sucking more of the top of my nipple coz it's pulled out more than the bottom. The LC said the shape was ok but I don't think it is. I don't know what needs to change though like what part she needs to get more of to make it more symmetrical. Nope hasn't been checked for tongue tie.
OMG she needs to feed again now off the sore one, wish me luck.

**~Raven~** · March 7th, 2009, 08:08 AM

it's the peak of nipple sensitiveness for you ATM! Even us "old hands" get sore nipples with newborns cos those tiny little mouths are so strong

Take it one feed at a time and keep practicing the lay down feed. Also try the footy hold one to change the angle of where bub is latching on.

Gotta go BBL...

**Arcadia** · March 7th, 2009, 08:10 AM

Oh hun HUGE hugs!!! I also had the sorest nipples with 'perfect' attachment. For me the first 10 seconds were AGONY and then it would pass...I would cry every time. This lasted about 2 weeks I think. For me it was my nipple tissue stretching. I had pretty flat nipples IYKWIM and it took a while for the tissue to stretch to form a good "teat" (lol).

With lying down, I would just wait a little while yet. It takes a while to be able to get the hang of it, and it sounds like you need to concentrate on getting the attachment right every time. My baby self attaches now without me doing anything, and it wasn't until then that I could get the lying down thing happening (at around 3 weeks I think).

My LC said to me..its ok to be a learner. Before long you will be able to breastfeed walking around the house doing the washing. And its true. In these early days, try and take every feed as it comes...one day you will be feeding and realise "Hey it doesn't hurt"...

Lansinoh was my saviour...I definitely recommend it also.

**Indadhanu** · March 7th, 2009, 08:13 AM

I found it easiest in the first week or two to get Shel to help with attaching. I just couldn't coordinate it all, especially after the c/s, I just couldn't get the hang of it!

I would position my boob and make sure I was ok with the wound etc, I'd hold Jazz and Shel would help get Jazzy's head up to the boob (chest to chest, that is the key in the first few months!) and make sure her chin was flush to the boob and her nose was clear.

It's pretty normal for it to be sore though

I can guarentee that it DOESN'T last forever. The first 3-4 weeks are the hardest in terms of nipple sensitivity. They aren't used to being stimulated constantly, I guess its a bit like when you get new shoes. They rub in new places and it hurts the first few times you wear them but after a while your skin gets tougher and the shoes don't hurt anymore. LOL funny analogy but its so true!

**Arcadia** · March 7th, 2009, 08:14 AM

it looks a bit white on the end when she comes off. No, it's not symetrical, it looks like she's sucking more of the top of my nipple coz it's pulled out more than the bottom

Oh, like a lipstick??? My DD did that to me too (and still does when she's lazy). It could be an issue, but it could also just be your bub's technique (as the case with me).

For me it was because she was trying to cope with the flow, so she'd go on perfectly, then when the milk come down, she'd kinda pull off and then only be on the end of my nipple so she didn't gag on the milk. She still does this, the only difference is my nipples are tough as nuts these days.

Hang in there is all I can say!!!! Be really kind to yourself and get lots of support from anyone you can.

You're doing a fabulous job!!!!

**OceanPrincess** · March 7th, 2009, 08:16 AM

Does it hurt like this for everyone at the start or am I doing something wrong? I can't figure out what and apparently the LC couldn't either!! But how does my nipple get grazed if nothing's wrong! When she comes off it seems more sore on the top of my nipple and more pulled out. I think it should look more even but the LC said the shape was alright as long as it doesn't look flattened or have a ridge or anything.

It hurts at the start for me.

My nipples are exactly like that when DD pulls off! Doesn't sound wrong to me...

Does Grace ever pull back on the nipple, then start sucking again? Or make little kissing noises?

Sometimes Isabel does that - it means she was attached correctly but has pulled off a bit, I have to take her off and re-attach.

**Indadhanu** · March 7th, 2009, 08:18 AM

ETA: Lying down was tricky for me too, it tended to pull on the wound and make the whole experience more painful. But once I could move a bit easier by myself, laying down and feeding was so good!

**Alan** · March 7th, 2009, 08:42 AM

Hi heaven
I have a great DVD on breastfeeding I would be happy to lend you a copy if you want. Also If you are not too far from me I could come and see you and perhaps give you some help. (No charge)

**Heaven** · March 7th, 2009, 10:21 AM

Thanks so much everyone for all your advice!!
The last feed didn't hurt as much!! Hurt when she got on but then stopped!! omg breakthrough, lol. I tried giving her more of the bottom of my nipple and less of the top. I think I was giving her too much of the top bit maybe and then she had to try harder to suck it up to the roof of her mouth, hurting the top. So when she came off this time it looked a lot better shape. And after feeding my nipples have still felt so sore and stingy and they're not now. Maybe I've worked it out, I shall see what the next feed brings! lol.

Umm....I can't remember who said what.

Yes, the lipstick shape, that describes it! But it wasn't as much this time. And on the bad side it has like what looks like a white blister on the end, ouch.

LOL, yes, I have to get DH to help, her hands go everywhere and he has to hold them for me. But the mw told me to feed her unwrapped.

Alan- thankyou, what is the DVD, I may have already seen it, my mw lent me two good ones! Thanks so much for your offer, I live in Brissy though, a bit far!!

Thankyou so much for all your support everyone, it was really getting me down and I was feeling like I couldn't do it but I feel better already

I will persist and it will get easier!!

**Visitor8** · March 7th, 2009, 10:28 AM

another thing, I didnt do the laying down for a few weeks. Ash would have been almost a month old before I started doing that, once BF was well established.
I have also hear people reccomend nipple shields. I haven't used them but you could try if it gets too much.
Hugs!! Glad the last feed was a bit better. Now Ash just gets on and off himself and it doesn't hurt at all

There is a light at the end of the tunnel!

**Olive** · March 7th, 2009, 11:19 AM

sara your right seh needs more of the areola where her bottom jaw is if that makes sense, make sure her head is tilted slightly up/back too.
i had to feed lying down for the ffirst 24 hours and it is harder!!!.
you'll find once you get your attachment sorted the sucking blisters heal very quickly, id also rub some breastmilk on your nipples too after a feed

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