NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

The baby wants to be fed so frequently and even when he isn't hungry, he cries and the only way to make him stop seems to be my boobs. I am so sore. Does it begin to feel better with time?

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

i would try using a pacifier if he is using you to soothe himself.

but i can tell you that there were days where my DS wanted to nurse every hour, and i let him. your nips won't be so sore after a couple of weeks. if it is REALLY painful, you'll need to make sure he is latched properly.

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

I have a problem with making sure he is latched on correctly. I have figured out that if it hurts really bad, most likely he is not latched on good. It takes a few weeks to feel better. Mine are still sore at almost 3 weeks. DS wants to nurse constantly at times.

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

The pacifier does help to soothe but I gotta be honest, I had such bad pain I ended up weaning. I tried pumping and that hurt me too. I think I was just super sensitive.

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

Mine are still somewhat sore, but it has gotten much better. What I do is to put warm-hot water on them after nursing, followed by coldon the nipples only. Then put lansinoh lanolin on them and let them be exposed to air for a few minutes and then put the pads on. Doing this ritual after every feeding for 2 weeks healed the scabs and now they only hurt when she doesn't latch well, or when she has gas and wiggles around while she is nursing.

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

I would definitely make sure that DC is latching on right. Not having the right latch will cause lots of soreness.

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

It took about 4-6 weeks for BFing to stop hurting. Does it hurt throughout the feeding or just at the beginning? If it hurts throughout, there could be a latching problem. Take DC off the breast and keep trying until the latch is correct/DC's mouth is open wide enough. If it just hurts for the first few minutes, this should go away after several weeks. It's normal for BFing to be painful during the let down. Eventually it won't hurt during the let down.

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

Hang in there! It gets better, I promise!! I was where you are just a few weeks ago, and I swear it gets better!!

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

it def hurts a bit in the beginning-- I used nipple shields (am still using them actually) and they helped Sasha to latch on. They also protected me a bit, but the nips still hurt even with them. It will get easier-- it does not last that long.

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

Try changing your hold...maybe the football hold. I know you are sore and I was in the beginning too but there were definitely some holds that were less painful. Also make sure to give your breasts some air during the day and apply some lanosin cream.

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

Here is my "standard" reply to new BFing moms:

First, I'd like to give you some ...and inspriation:

DS is 9 months old and we are still going strong!

I'm no professional but here are my suggestions:

The more you supplement with formula, the less time DC spends latched, = less milk production. By supplementing and DC not at the breast your body is thinking DC is eating less. So you are actually decreasing your supply.

Try to remove all suckling items from DC's day except the breast. Don't give pacis, bottles, etc. The aforementioned require a different latch than the breast and could be confusing DC. I know this sounds impossible at 2:51am, but for the next few days really focus on BFing alone. Don't worry about laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc...it will all still be there once you have a BFing champ! Nap when DC naps so you have that extra umph at 5:59am.

Your nipples may be sore because DC isn't latching properly. Make sure majority of the bottom part of your nipple is in her mouth. DS latched like a champ from the beginning, then around 3 weeks my nipples were so sore they felt like they were burining. I discussed it with my sister (who is now EBFing her 3rd) and she said "check your latch". Sure enough I had gotten too confident and he wasn't latching properly.

Also, try to nurse "ahead" of the feeding. For the first 2 weeks (especially because DS was jaundice) I would set an alarm. Every hour and a half I would wake him up and put him on the breast (even at night). If you get to it before hunger strikes they are more patient and willing to work on their latch. Versus being ravenous pigs

Maybe change how you are holding DC at the breast. For the first month I could only BF Ryan in the football hold. My breasts are/were large (38DD). I felt like the cradle hold suffocated Ryan and I wasn't quite coordinated enough to move my breast away from his tiny nose.

Pumping.....only pump (before 6 weeks) if you want to increase your supply. And make it a habit/schedule (most pumpers get the most in the morning since babies usually go their longest stretch between feedings at night). I have never been a successful pumper and to this day, only keep a few days worth of bottles in the freezer gosh forbid there is an emergency.

To also increase your supply make sure you are drinking at least one 8oz glass of water at each nursing session. (Don't forget to drink water in between as well). Add oatmeal to your diet. And there are a few good health food stores (Trader Joes, Whole Foods, etc) that carry a tea called "Mother's Milk". I never actually used it, but have heard great things.

Lastly, don't get discouraged. I know easier said than done but we have all been there. Especially in the beginning. They cluster feed, and cry, and you begin to feel like a cow. Anytime you get frustrated, drop me an FM...I'll boost your confidence You'd be surprised at what a "I think you are doing an amazing job" can do!

Oh, and one final note. Don't EVER feel like a failure. Ultimately only YOU, the MOTHER, know what is best for your DC. Go with your gut and stick with it! If your gut is telling you to stick with it, I say go for it!

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

I agree with all the above. Lansinoh cream was my savior! In those first weeks I would cry and really loathe the latching. DH was very supportive! I was ready to give up, but he was very good to me. Around 2-3 weeks it suddenly was fine. I breastfed for a year, so obviously it got better!

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

You have got to make sure his latch and position are good. It's the only way.
I suggest going to see a lactation consultant so they can observe you.
You want to make sure he doesn't just take in your nipple, he must take in a lot of the areola as well.
My son nursed non stop and I mean non stop (still does at 4 months) and I am never, ever sore. I am anal about latch. I will pop him off if it's not good.

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

It does hurt in the beginning it will get better ~ Lansinoh cream was my best friend!!!

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

along with the lasinoh cream... evenflo makes nursing pads that embedded with lasinoh... they are also not the plastic that most pads are... i honestly had alot of problems at the beginning... ds never latched on so i just exclusively pump... but he also developed breast milk jaundice.... and then i developed mastitis which turned out to be mrsa and then a yeast infection... then ds was a big eater and fast grower... gaining 6 pounds his first checkup and drinking 60 ounces a day so i had to pump every hour plus give him formula which was disappointing until they decided food was a good option at 6 weeks.... ok rambling... after all that was done i am now at 6 months nursing... well pumping... and to be honest there are days where it still hurts depending on my cycle.. i just have learned to accept the fact that it is the best thing for ds and have been making the sacrafice

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

It took a good 4 weeks for me to begin to feel better. I put on lanolin, I put on cold tea bags and that seemed to help. Hang in there. I would not offer a pacifier to the baby because it may jeopardise the breastfeeding (this is what my breastfeeding class told me and the lactaction consultant as well)
Try and see if your baby will put her thumb/fist i her mouth to soothe herself instead. Hang in there, it's SOOO tough in the beginning, to be honest with you only now (after 10 weeks) things are finally into a good grrove.

Re: NB ALWAYS wants to be breastfed. It hurts so much. How do you do it?

It will take 4 weeks for things to start feeling not so painful.