Nipples on fire!

[Kimbles01]

I gave birth via c-section on Sunday, and after a few hiccups, DD is finally getting the hang of BF. Since late last night, when my supply really started kicking in, feeds have gotten longer, and my nipples have been getting more and more painful as the feeds go on.

I have some cracking, and am using nursing butter after each feed, but when DD attaches it is just sooo painful!

Can anyone suggest any ideas for lessening the pain?

[Jellybean29]

For the immediate situation:
You could try expressing until your nipples heel a bit, also breastmilk is a great healer for cracked nipples, so rub it in!
You could also try a nipple shield.

Long term:
Get onto a lactation consultant, ring the ABA, I think your darling may not be attaching properly. Breastfeeding shouldn't be painful xo

[BellyBelly]

Could possibly be thrush?

Sounds like an attachment problem - here's some really helpful video clips on attachment, but I agree - call the ABA or an LC.

Breastfeeding Videos

[MissEm]

I'd get some nipple shields to use in the short term so your nipples can heal, meanwhile getting support from ABA and a Lactation Consultant to work on your attachment.

[onthefly]

Congratulations on your baby!
Cracks suggest the latch is not right. Do you have access to lactation consultants via your hospital? Otherwise maybe someone can recommend you one in your area. Another source of support is the ABA - 1800-686-2-686

Here are some ABA links that might help:
ABCs of attachment
Baby-led attachment
Breast & nipple care

You need to get the attachment sorted so your nipples can heal, otherwise it will only get worse I'm afraid. Often it's a simple matter of adjusting your technique - it may be that the way your holding your baby is not optimal for eg. Or sometimes baby just needs a bit more help to get hte hang of it. They are born with an innate desire to seek out the breast and feed, which is why trying baby-led attachment can be really effective.

[Butterfly Dawn]

I would hire if you dont want to buy, an electric express to give your nipples a rest if they are really bad, nipple shield suit some people.
Bepanthen or a lanoline cream can help. Alittle fresh air and sunshine also help to dry and heal. A lactation consultant can help.
It does get better hun, I know it just hurts so bad right now but it does get better. Hang in there hugs

[Phteven]

Can you ask your hospital to send a midwife over on a home visit? I had awful sore nipples with DS2 and the midwife who did my followup visit fixed up our positioning. After that it was all systems go - no need for shields, pumps and all that hoo ha.

[Kimbles01]

Slight change to the holding position seems to be doing the trick. Now fingers crossed DD stays put!

P.S. Can I just say how much I love being able to say DD after 9 months of not knowing?!

[Jellybean29]

Slight change to the holding position seems to be doing the trick. Now fingers crossed DD stays put!

P.S. Can I just say how much I love being able to say DD after 9 months of not knowing?!

Well done! :happy dance:

[Phteven]

Looks like you need to update that ticker

[Kimbles01]

Yep, the iPhone is great, but not sure if my skills are up to it - otherwise Saturday when I get home it'll happen!

[onthefly]

Any better Kimbles? Have you gotton on to an LC or the ABA at all?

[Kimbles01]

Things had settled down, we'd gotten into a routine. Turns out DD has a blocked nose, and as such wasn't attaching properly. Since we started using a saline nasal spray, it's been much better.

Shocker of a day today though - DD started by feeding well, but then decided she didn't want to be put down all morning. She slept over lunch/early arvo, but since 2pm has been looking for feeds every hour or so. And not sleeping outside of when she's feeding. Thankfully DH seems to have settled her for now, and I might get a bit of a break, but the constant feeds have taken their toll in my boobs today.

[onthefly]

The early weeks can be very hard and illness on top of that makes it even harder! Glad you're getting a bit of a break - take things as easily as you can. It will get easier with a bit of time.
Frequent feeding in teh afternoon/evening is really normal - it's the arsenic hours when they need extra comforting. The upside of the clusster feeds is that they often then have a longer sleep at the start of the night.
Make sure you keep on top of any soreness or nipple damage, don't want that to get worse.

[zap]

I have posted in our babies born thread but big hugs to you Hun. Xoxo

[Kimbles01]

Gaaah, bad day. I've realised that I really am starting to dread breastfeeding DD. I want to be able to do it, and have resisted all urges to go out and buy formula, but its just soo hard.

[Mumtastic]

Hi Kimbles, you are doing a great job, the first couple of weeks are pretty intensive. I pretty much expect that the first 6 weeks = constant feeding. In fact, the more you feed right now, the more milk production cells will 'switch on' - so it's all part of your baby's plan to make sure there's milk around longterm (ie, yep they feed when they arent even hungry, but there's a good reason for it!).

If you can get through another week you should start noticing some big improvements, nipples will feel better, feeds will space a little. Unfortunately the hardest part of feeding is at the beginning!

How's your wound going btw? Hope your recovery is going smoothly!

I completely relate to the dreading feeding feeling.. if you absolutely PERFECT attachment it should help. The tiniest unevenness in how the nipple is latched on to will result in a big distortion/ pulling on the tissue once it's stretched out inside the baby's mouth.. so it really pays off if you can be obsessive about getting hte baby latched on well. So basically it should only hurt for the first minute and then the feeling should subside - is it hurting for the whole feed?

[Kimbles01]

Mostly just when she first attaches, then the pain goes away. However when she starts to fall asleep and slide off the pain comes back.

Attachment seems to be the main thing - whenever a midwife etc was around in hospital, she'd attach perfectly, but other times she fussed or puts her hands in the way just before I can get her on, so sometimes attachment takes many many gies. And in the meantime I get frustrated with her (which I feel so guilty about as its not her fault) and get myself worked up. She's had a blocked nose for the last week which doesn't help with attachment, and when we stopped in at CaFH to weigh her, one of the employees said it looks as though she has a small tongue tie - but nothing major or serious.

I just wish that when you go to antenatal breastfeeding classes they'd mention that it is not just a simple thing to do - they never made it sound difficult at all, so I wasn't prepared for all the difficulties!!