Comments on: Breastfeeding: Let’s talk painful nipples, shall we?

By: Tracey T

Tracey T — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:44:20 +0000

Not all pumps are created equal. Medela is the “gold standard.” With any pump you have to be fitted by a lactation specialist to make sure that the sheild fits to 1) stimulate the areola and 2) not cause nipple pain.

I agree with the comment about how a baby sucks on a bottle vs nursing are 2 different latches which is where the nipple confusion and thus soreness from a “bad” latch. “Pumping can irritate the nipples if you use too much suction, pump for too long, or if the nipple rubs against the flange of the pump. Offer the milk that you pump to your baby using a cup, a feeding syringe, or a spoon. Avoid giving supplements with artificial nipples. Feeding pumped milk with an artificial nipple will often make it more difficult to solve the latch-on problems that caused the sore nipples in the first place.” (quote from /www.askdrsears.com/html/2/t021900.asp)

I am also wondering about not nursing so long on one side at a time before switching to the other. For example, instead of 40 minutes straight on one side before switching; do something like 20 mins right, 20 mins left, 20 mins right, 20 mins left. Shorter more frequent nursing instead of long nursings may help your nipples to have a break.

Be careful with nipple shields. They sometimes create more problems (ie nipple confusion, decreased milk supply) than they fix. There is a definite time and place for them, just use them under a lactation specialist supervision/advice.

It will get better. I always tell my friends and clients to hang in there and get the right support in the first 3 months. Hang in there

By: Liz

Liz — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:08:22 +0000

I think all of the comments on proper latch and ice packs are great! One more thing to think about that may be causing your pain…yeast. It sounds like you and Monkey have a great latch because you have had over 2 weeks of pain-free breastfeeding. Sometimes increased redness and painful nipples and areolas after successful breastfeeding is caused by a yeast infection. Monkey can have a yeast infection in his mouth called THRUSH and he can pass this infection to your nipples when feeding. Thrush is very common and not painful to him, just to you. Ask your pediatrician about this. Usually they can just look in his mouth for a “white hairy” appearance and give him some medicine to clear it up. They can also give you some topical meds to clear it up for you. This totally could not be the issue but I thought I would mention it just.

By: Kerry

Kerry — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:27:55 +0000

the Medela pump definitely helped me but I agree —so painful especially if you’re feeding directly and using a pump. ahh the pain. hopefully the second time around it’s easier for me!

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:53:39 +0000

Thanks everyone! I’ve been walking around topless as much as I can (might have even given the neighbors a show since the windows were all open). I think I figured out the problem from what one of y’all said… Yes, I’ve been pumping and feeding the little guy, but I think that the breast shields are too small for my enormous (what happened to them?) nipples that are now mine. I noticed when I was pumping earlier that the base of my nipple is really red when being pumped, so I think I need to go buy bigger shields.

I plan on doing that today and then see how it goes. Keep your fingers crossed that was the issue and thanks for all of y’alls awesome comments!!!

By: Gilz

Gilz — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:26:49 +0000

Walk around topless and let you boobs be exposed to the sun. I know Tarzan will approve of having a topless mummy walking around the house but it does help. I’m not saying 2nd degree sunburn but a few minutes each day to “toughen” them up.

The cracked bleeding nips is the worst!

By: kelly

kelly — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 02:38:05 +0000

For me even when my son latched correctly my nipples still got very sore. I breastfed even though they were cracked and bleeding and they eventually started to toughen up (not every woman can do this though). Some women even with correct latch tend to get sore throughout. I would imagine if you have been breastfeeding for 3 weeks, it’s less to do with correct latch and more to do with breastfeeding in general. That’s not to discourage from breastfeeding by any means, only to let you know it’s not out of the norm to experience sore nipples. I think lasinoh and cool compresses and warm baths were (and still are) my best friend. . It worked wonders when it came to my sore boobs. . I think I lived in the shower when I wasn’t nursing. It’s the one thing you are not told when your breastfeeding. In fact, I asked a lactation consultant because I thought he wasn’t latching. They said he was latching great. It’s just sometimes you have nipple pain. Working through the pain is easier said than done. Exposing your breast to air really helps too. I’m sorry you have to go through this. It will get better.

By: Ruthie

Ruthie — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:25:07 +0000

Mastitis wouldn’t necessarily cause your nipples to hurt during latch-on, so I can almost bet it’s not that. Mastitis is more of a sore spot on your breast and it doesn’t just hurt when he/she is nursing. I’ve had it 3 times, yikes.

Go buy a nipple shield. This is EXACTLY what happened to me with my son. It hurt so bad I cried and then went right back into labor and delivery to have the lactation consultant help me. She gave me a nipple shield. I used it for maybe 3-4 days and that did the trick (I even ended up nursing my son till he was 2).

By: Korie

Korie — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:56:18 +0000

With both of my babies, the first month of breastfeeding was rough. We perfected the latch and still my nipples hurt like hell. With my son, I just used the Lansinoh Lanolin goop. This time around, I found a product at Buy Buy Baby that helped me get through the painful weeks….Soothies Gel Pads:

(http://www.buybuybaby.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=15005076&RN=7067&amp

The cooling sensation feels wonderful, and they are not nearly as lumpy as other breast pads out there. I highly recommend putting them in freezer right before putting them on…so refreshing! I think you can also get them at Babies R Us and certain drug stores too.

Hang in there, it gets better, I promise! Before you know it, the girls become toughened up and much less sensitive….that is until your baby sprouts some teeth and learns how to bite you!

By: Leah

Leah — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:46:37 +0000

Wow! Yeah, I just looked at the mastitis pic too and whoa! That must be a serious case! I’ve had mastitis before and it never looked like that. It can be as simple as a slightly red area that feels hard and sore.

By: Tori M.

Tori M. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 22:38:37 +0000

Just wanted to interject my experience… I have a really painful letdown that feels like someone is stabbing me in the nips with a pencil. If little dude’s latch is good and your shield on your pump is comfortable, it might be painful letdown. Unfortunately, there’s no fix for it. I just got used to it. Whatever it is, hope you feel better soon!

PS… I know someone mentioned a La Leche League meeting, but beware if you’re pumping not to mention it, as I hear they are SUPER against it and have no qualms about telling you so!