Sore Nipples

How long are nipples typically sore when starting out breastfeeding?
It's only been two weeks, but the pain is so bad that I cry when she latches on. I don't remember it being this bad with my other daughter.
I'm starting to wonder if I have thrush or something....I believe she is latching on correctly, I had help from LCs for four days while in the hospital.
Anyone have some advice???? Maggie?????
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Mine hurt for seven weeks!! I remember near six weeks, I was in tears when he would latch on because I had blisters that hurt so much. I didn't have help from a LC, so maybe he wasn't latching on right. I was adamant about bfing, plus my son never accepted a bottle, so I just stuck with it. Around seven weeks, it just stopped hurting and the blisters went away. It never hurt again, until he bit me at 7 months old, but that only happened once. You may want to contact La Leche League or your local hospital, many have bfing support groups where the lactation experts can help out. Good luck! I loved bfing and I really missed it when I weaned him!

 

oh mama i am sorry to hear that you are having sore nipple problems. i totally understand... with my first child i had them for 2-3 weeks but with my second i only had it for like 4 days. i hope this time that it is short as well because i too was in tears. lol i really don't have any advice because i would try to focus my mind on other things which i know is easier siad than done. i agree with judbug73... contact your local LLL and try to find a breastfeeding group.

 

oops double post.

 

I can't remember exactly which it was that helped the most but I just went mad using every cream I could find and one of them definitely did the trick as it settled down after about the first week...ummmm I tried bepanthon, paw paw, calendula and special lanolin stuff for breastfeeding mothers...only after a feed and I used warm water to make sure they were clean before baby hopped on the next time...one of these worked and I have a feeling it was probaly the paw paw and the calendula...try them until you find one that works and good luck!!

 

If your nipples are still sore after two weeks, the chances are the baby is NOT latching correctly. Are you using ANYTHING in the baby's mouth other than your breast? (That includes bottles of anything, including breastmilk, pacifiers ect.) This, in a baby so young can and will cause nipple confusion, which can manifest in the baby "forgetting" how to nurse properly and your getting sore.

Also, how long did the hospital LC spend with you? I have done consultations, (mine are about 60 minutes to two hours long) where the mom told me the hospital LC said the baby was latched "fine" and those were some of the worst latches I have ever seen. Most hospital LCs don't have the time to do a REAL evaluation, and some don;t even know a real good latch from a horrible one.

My advice, as I can't see your baby, or listen to how she nurses, or do an oral exam, or see your nipple when the baby comes off, is to tell you to see a REAL private practive Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
www.iblce.org
www.breastfeeding.com
or call 1 800 TELL YOU (this is Medela, the breast pump company, this is a line where they can find you an LC through your zip code.)

You can also see a LLL leader, some are very good.

Use your Lansinoh (NOT just plain lanolin, it has to be the Lansinoh Brand in the green and lavendar tube!) and see a specialist.

It is really hard to be this sore. You start to dread every feeding, and then are temped to use a "releif bottle" which with a baby this age, in this situation is the WORST thing you could do. Bottle will only make the problem worse.

What part of IL are you in? I can find you a good LC.

 

Thanks everybody for the advice and support. It is very frustrating to dread feeding your child.
I am trying a few different suggestions and hopefully things will get better!
Thanks!

 

Hang in there,sister!It will get better. With Xander it took weeks,my nipples were bleeding and sore. I was sure he was latching on incorrectly but every time we showed my midwife/LC she kept saying his latch was fine. I can't remember how long it took but eventually I guess my nipples toughened up or he got the latch right. Ice packs on the nipples helped me too,sort of just numbed the pain. Good luck and big hugs to you!

 

my nipples were sore for about the first week then they got better. Now just this past week in a half my son has been suckling so hard that my right nipple is literally purple. so what i do before each feeding i take a frozen grape or something cold and let him suck on it for a few seconds then i let him latch on and the coldness of his mouth makes the pain lessen

good luck
*HUGS*
~Fallen Fairy~

 

OW! This is NOT from "sucking too hard." If a baby is latched and suckling correctly, not a lot of suction is neccesary. If they use too much suction, or cause the nipple to turn purple (OW!) then it may well be Nipple Confusion, or something else cause the latch to degrade. FF, you need to see a Lactation Consultant for this problem. It is NOT a nornal consequence of "hard" suckling.

Try elimination ALL other sucking other than the breast, make sure the baby is facing you without turning his head while nursing, make sure he isn't waiting too long to nurse (a baby who has to wait to nurse will often nurse very violnetly, although rarely hard enough to damage the nipple.) If you are engaging in ANY "baby training" programs or "sleep programs" STOP THEM IMMEDIATELY. No one who does these successfully nurses. These "training progams are just too hard on the baby, the child gets overly hungry and too stressed. The hunger and stress can also cause a baby to nurse improperly. (I am not saying I think you ARE doing this, but if you are STOP!)

Baby training programs include Ferber, Ezzo, Tracey Hogg, Weisbluth or anyone else who tells you to not feed the baby on cue, or to let a baby cry alone in a crib (or anywhere else.)

If you are still having the purple nipple, it could also be a condition called Raynaud's Syndrome, where there is massive vasoconstricton on the nipple. Many womyn with Raynauds also have very cold hands and feet and often they get migraines (but not always) there are several treatments for Raynaud's. The first being to use WARMTH on the nipple before and after nursing. Vasoconstriction (blood vessels shrinking down suddenly and then all of a sudden popping open with pain and color change) is aggravated by cold.

 

I am not doing any of those baby training programs. He does have a nuk that he sucks on rarely. Should i go to my doctors and see if i have this Raynaud's syndrome??? My hands and feet get cold alot ( maybe it's cause of the a/c being on all night) and i rarely get migraines. I have been putting warm compressionms on my breast and nipple. thank you for the information maggie i appreciate it sooooo much.
~Fallen Fairy~

 

I am so glad I could help. If the warm compresses help, and the color change and soreness stop, then you don't need to see the doc about the Raynaud's. It is usually self limiting, and most womyn don't realize they even have it until they are nursing and start having vasospasms. IF the spasms continue (and this may well be what is going on) despite continued use of warm compresses, see an IBCLC, as a lot of doctor's don't know Raynaud's can effect the nipples, and you will need backup. There are several medical treatments for it including a drug called Nifidipine and a nitroglycerin gel to put on the nipples to cause vasodilation AFTER the feedings.

See a good LLL leader or IBCLC first. If the warm compresses and correcting the latch works, you don't need to follow up.

I am SOOO glad you aren't doing any baby training programs (I didn't think so, but I always have to ask.)

Blessings and pain free nursings,
Maggie

 

thank you so much maggie i will ask my doctor about it just to be sure.

*HUGS*
~Fallen Fairy~

 

Unless you have a VERY breastfeeding-progressive doctor, I would talk to an LC or LLL leader first. There are a lot of doctors who hate when patients come in with their own diagnoses (especially if they are right) you can say you spoke to an IBCLC, who did not see you or your baby. If you tell him some person on the internet told you you might have Raynaud's, it might get uncomfortable. I just don't want a doctor to give you a hard time, you don't deserve it. You are trying really hard with your breastfeeding and doing a GOOD job as a mama!

I really don't know if it is Raynaud's or not. A good LC in your area would be able to tell. I don't want you to get scared about something that may not be the right thing for you.

Blessings,

Maggie

 

no worries im not scared im just curious as to what it is and how to make it better. again much thanx.

*HUGS*
~Fallen Fairy~

 

I heard the same thing about the tea bags
I'm getting scared about breastfeeing! I'm definately doing it cuz of all the nutriants (sp?) and stuff, but OUCH! This sounds painful!!!!!!!! *winces*

 

It usually does NOT hurt, The key is to get the baby on as soon after birth as possible, to not allow ANY artificial sucking, pacis, bottles anything, to make sure the latch is good (a good LC can take more than 20 minutes to make sure a latch is perfect, no 3 minute bedside checks) not let the baby get too hungry, and to avoid artificial nipples for as long as possible. (Many babies NEVER have bottles and are better off for it.)

 

Here is an other good article from La Leche League on preventing sore nipples.



How do I prevent sore nipples?

Pregnant women at a recent Maternity Fair were heard to ask La Leche League Leaders, "I want to breastfeed my baby but I heard you will get sore nipples. Is that true?" Breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt. It is intended to be an enjoyable experience for you and your baby.

Visiting this Web site is an excellent step in the prevention of sore nipples. Learning all you can about breastfeeding will help you breastfeed your new baby. Attending an LLL meeting is also very helpful. You will be able to observe mothers breastfeeding their babies. Common concerns, as well as the joys of breastfeeding are discussed at meetings so you can learn how to get off to a good start with your baby.

Sore nipples are most frequently caused by improper positioning of the baby at the breast. See the FAQ, "Positioning Your Baby at the Breast" at http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/positioning.html for complete details. These basic steps will help to prevent sore nipples:

1. Position yourself comfortably with back support, pillows supporting your arms and in your lap and your feet supported by a footrest or a telephone book.
2. Position baby close to you, with his hips flexed, so that he does not have to turn his head to reach your breast. His mouth and nose should be facing your nipple. If possible, ask your helper to hand you the baby once you are comfortable. (See "Going Beyond the Basics" for details.)
3. Support your breast so it is not pressing on your baby's chin. Your baby's chin should drive into your breast. (See "Breast Support Techniques" for descriptions.)
4. Attach or latch baby onto your breast. Encourage him to open his mouth wide by tickling his lips with your nipple and saying, "Open". Pull him close by supporting his back (rather than the back of his head) so that his chin drives into your breast. His nose will be touching your breast. Your hand forms a "second neck" for your baby. (See "Is My Baby Latched on Well" for further information.)
5. Enjoy! If it does not feel comfortable, detach and gently reposition the baby
   

These steps may need to be repeated frequently during the early weeks. You and your baby will find a technique that works for you after some practice.

Sore nipples can have other causes such as:

Flat or inverted nipples: Mothers with nipples in this category have successfully breastfed their babies without pain. Flat nipples do not become erect when stimulated or cold. Inverted nipples actually retract rather than protrude when the area around the nipple is compressed. Wearing breast shells during pregnancy may help to draw out your nipples. Once your baby is born, it may help to use a breast pump to pull out your nipple immediately before latching your baby on to your breast. Our online catalogue at http://www.lalecheleague.org/catalog.html is a source for breast shells and breast pumps.

Engorgement: Full, hard breasts can occur in the early days of breastfeeding. This may result in flat nipples which make it difficult for your baby to latch on. To avoid this condition be sure your milk is being removed frequently from your breasts. If your newborn is not breastfeeding every 2 hours or so, hand-expressing or using a breast pump may help you avoid engorgement. (As your baby grows he will go longer between feedings without you becoming engorged.) This article http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVDec99Jan00p134.html contains a "Suggested Care Plan for Engorgement" which will help you treat engorgement if it occurs. (The Web page http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBMarApr96p51.html contains a description of hand-expressing using the Marmet technique.)

Using a Breast Pump: Just as breastfeeding is not supposed to hurt, neither should it be painful to use a breast pump. You may need to experiment to find a breast pump that is comfortable for you. Generally, when your nipple is centered in the flange's walls and the suction is gentle you can avoid injury. The LLLI catalogue at http://www.lalecheleague.org/catalog.htm sells a variety of pumps you may find suitable for your situation. Pumps may also be available from your local Leader.

Removing Baby from Your Breast: Very gently! Many mothers find that once their baby is satiated, he or she will release the breast. If baby must be moved before this happens, try inserting a finger into the corner of your baby's mouth, pulling down on baby's chin, or pressing down on your breast near baby's mouth to break the seal.

Use of Pacifiers (Dummies) or Bottles: If your baby receives any nipple other than your own, including pacifiers or bottles, a condition known as nipple confusion can result. This is because an entirely different technique is used by your baby to breastfeed rather than suck on an artificial nipple. This may cause your baby to breastfeed improperly and cause soreness. If this occurs, your baby can learn to breastfeed properly. Be sure to consult with your local Leader. See also Myth 15 in http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/LVAprMay98p21NB.html.

Thrush: If your baby is no longer a newborn and you suddenly find yourself with sore nipples or deep breast pain, you may have thrush. See http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/thrush.html for further identification information and treatment options.

By educating yourself during pregnancy you will enhance your breastfeeding experience. If your baby has already been born, determining the cause of your sore nipples is the first step toward healing your nipples and resuming a pain-free breastfeeding experience. See our FAQ, "How Do I Heal Sore Nipples?" at http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/heal.html for further information.

Resources for Additional Information

Contact a local La Leche League Leader for more information and support during this challenging time. For help in finding a local Leader, check out "Finding a Local LLL Group" at http://www.lalecheleague.org/leaderinfo.html

These pamphlets can be ordered from our online catalogue at http://www.lalecheleague.org/catalog.html or a Leader may have a copy you can purchase.

Positioning Your Baby at the Breast is a step-by-step guide to positioning the baby correctly to ensure that baby sucks well and gets plenty of milk, and mother avoids nipple soreness and pain.

Sore Nipples includes step-by-step illustrations of latch-on and emphasizes the importance of correct positioning; also features recommendations about treatment of sore and cracked nipples reflecting current research on moist wound healing.

 

happy happy joy joy,
Don't be scared, it was a wonderful experience even when it hurt. I enjoyed nursing until the end, and then I missed it!

My son never took a bottle or pacifier, I guess he was just latched on incorrectly for 7 weeks because it was painful!!

 

Thanks again everyone for the support~especially Maggie~you are wonderful about answering questions!

Anyway~I went to my OB/GYN this morning and found out that I do have thrush. That's why my nipples hurt so bad!!!!

Hope all you other moms out there with sore nipples get better soon! Don't give up! It is so worth all the pain to breastfeed my beautiful little babe.