Extremely painful feeding

Hi all,

Baby is almost 2 weeks old and I have been exclusively expressing since about day 4, when they realised he had lost too much weight and hadn't been feeding properly.

The lactation consultant (she was fantastic) at the hospital spent a long time with me, and we basically worked out that if it wasn't hurting, he wasn't getting any food - hence the pumping. We tried a shield but it was still painful.

I'd really like to get him onto the breast, but I don't even know the cause of the pain to be able to address it. Here are my symptoms - has anyone else experienced these, and what was your outcome?

I've always had sensitive nipples
Letdown = painful but bearable
Pumping = generally a little bit unpleasant, but bearable. I tend to be able to have the speed at the maximum (although always start on minimum), but the suction I can barely get off minimum. In fact, we accidentally had the suction on max at one point, and the pain was exactly the same as when he sucks.
Breastfeeding = excruciating. I'm in tears within about 5 seconds. I tried him on again yesterday and had to take him off after 1 suck. I have described it as someone sticking a very sharp small knife into my nipple/areola every time he sucks.
Supply = plentiful
Nipples = healthy - no cracks or grazes.

I've looked into possible causes, in particular thrush and Reynaud's syndrome (vasospasm). I know attachment is correct - several midwives have confirmed this. I don't think I have thrush, and baby certainly doesn't. However, I did have antibiotics in labour so it's not impossible. I don't think I have Reynaud's, as I haven't really noticed colour changes. However, when I lived for a while in a very cold part of Australia, I had terrible trouble with my feet and hands going numb (for hours at a time) from the cold, and it was very painful.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Surprised xo

Could you try putting a warm face washer on your nipple just before feeding?
I had it suggested to me by a LC & it stopped my pain.
Mine sounds very similar to what you have & I couldn't get past the first few weeks with my girls. With DS I worked hard & got past it & fed him for almost 2 years.

Congratulations on the arrival of your little boy, and well done for persisting past tge pain so far.

It does sound a bit like it could possibly be vasospasm. I didn't get the characteristic white nipple with mine, just lots of pain and it would turn purple after feeds too. Do you get any pain when you stand in front of the open fridge/a fan/in a cold wind?

I did a few things that really helped and now it's completely under control:
- take evening primrose oil and fish oil - I've continued with this and if I forget for a couple of days it comes back
- buy breastwarmers and wear them in your bra about half hour before feeding (I got mine in a local chemist but I know ABA do them online too)
- always wear breastpads... It's just an extra layer of protection to keep the nipple warm so blood supply will keep flowing
- if you do get pain, cup your hands over your nipples to warm them and protect them from further exposure
- avoid feeding in a draft
- get another lc to look at your attachment, it's so hard to tell whether it's good or not because it always hurts with vasospasm
- check that the attachment you're using on your breastpump is correct for your nipple... Mine was too small and constantly grazed the nipple causing further damage and pain

I hope that helps, and if not that some of the other advice people give you does the trick. Well done and keep up the good work!

Congratulations on the birth of your boy!
I would suggest seeing another LC - sometimes it's really helpful to get a second (or even third) opinion, no matter how great the first LC is, as they all have slightly different experience and expertise and so may come up with different ideas. Have you called the ABA? They may have some advice for you also.

My letdown was painful to begin with but that improved with time, so hopefully that will get better. I think I also had vasospasm (self diagnosed, so don't know for sure) and those symptoms also improved with time.

All the best~~

Hun, that sound very stressful for you :hug: I also agree with Marcellus about seeing another LC or calling the ABA. It sounds to me like there might be something going on like a tongue-tie which is affecting his attachment. These can be really difficult to pick up sometimes, so you sometimes need to see a tongue-tie specialist. Depending on where you live, the ABA will probably be able to help you with a list of LCs nearby who can help you further with this.

In the meantime, have you tried Baby Led Attachment (BLA). This often works for mums who can't get attachment working using the mother led techniques which are most often used in hospitals. BLA works on a baby's natural instincts - babies can find the nipple and attach themselves using just their instincts, from birth, and this instinct lasts for months after birth. Usually mums have most success with this when are reclined in a chair comfortably, and have the baby on their chest skin to skin (although it is ok to wear a top that doesn't get in the way if you are more comfortable that way). Then you gently support the baby as he makes his own way to one side and attaches. There is more information and some pictures here - Australian Breastfeeding Association - Baby-led attachment. This is certainly worth trying as it is mostly more successful. If you are still unable to get him attached properly than a visit to a good LC to rule out tongue-tie or other physical problems is a good idea.

Best of luck hun :hug:

Thanks for all of your replies ladies. They were very comforting at a very stressful time. I learnt about things I never knew existed (breast warmers and baby-led attachment!)

I'm thinking it's actually thrush, so treating with daktarin gel atm, and if it's not cleared up in a week or so I'll head off to the GP. Will keep expressing for the time being - at least he's getting fed one way or another!!