Breastfeeding mama's

I have a question. When did the pain from bf go away? I'm pretty sure there is something wrong with ds latch. It literally hurts like hell. I mean excruciating pain that brings me to tears. Did this happen to anyone else? What helped? I never had a problem with my dd. Breast feeding was so easy with her. This time has just been so rough on me. I cannot continue like this! I pretty much dread breastfeeding him; it's terrible.

Re: Breastfeeding mama's

Trevor's latch was terrible! That is why I didn't want to continue. He would make me bleed I swear. I have heard nipple shields really help with latch issues.

Re: Breastfeeding mama's

has an LC evaluated your baby's latch and seen if there's a potential tongue tie or lip tie?

sometimes it just hurts and you get used to it. mine hurt for a while because my twins were so small and didnt latch well for a long time. and then it just ended up getting easier. but it really hurts in the beginning when your milk is coming in!

Breastfeeding mama's

Sounds like a shallow latch...like pp said you should have him evaluated for a tie. You can even run your finger between his upper lip and gums to feel for an upper lip attachment there, then look to see if his tongue doesn't lift or makes a u-shape when he cries. Those are signs of tongue ties. I can recco a fantastic doctor to take care of them.

Congrats on your son!!

Re: Breastfeeding mama's

Congrats on your new baby :) I agree that it sounds like a latch issue.

Most hospitals have FREE breastfeeding support groups where you can consult with an LC at no cost. I know Southside Hospital has one one Tuesdays from 1:30 to 3:30 and the LC is great. I went pretty much every week with my first DD, whether I was having issues or not.

Breastfeeding mama's

This was my problem with DS as well. I had an LC come and see me in the hospital and she popped him on and was like you're good right? UM NO! It hurt like heck and I could see that the latch wasn't correct. It got to the point where I was crying every feeding, which was probably stressing DS out as well. I now pump and supplement with formula because I wanted to make sure my DS had everything he needed.

Breastfeeding mama's

With H I had a similar problem. It started in the hospital and I had an LC from the hospital come in and help me. She discovered he had a very slight tongue tie and said when we go to the led to have them snip it. My ped said she wouldn't do it because it is very slight and would not affect his eating. I had to quit breastfeeding feeding 2 weeks in. He was literally making me sick. I started getting fevers and having tons of issues. The pain never got better and I bled a lot. Knowing what I know now I wish I would have fought to have his tongue tie snipped. I am positive that was the issue. Definitely talk to and see an LC. They can help. And if it does turn put to be a slight tongue tie, get it taken care of regardless of what your ped says.

Re: Breastfeeding mama's

Are you in any bfing fb groups? If not, pm me and I'll add you.

Re: Breastfeeding mama's

With my DS it hurt really bad for the first month or so. The LC's all said his latch looked fine but he was a very ferocious nurser. They also mentioned that boys tend to be more aggressive feeders and that can cause more discomfort initially. I remember having blisters and my nips peeling/bleeding (so gross) but it did improve.

Breastfeeding mama's

Thanks ladies!! I didn't have him evaluated for a tongue tie. This is such a stupid question but where can I find a LC? I think I do need someone to come by for sure!

Breastfeeding mama's

http://www.lilca.org/find-a-lactation-consultant.html

I used Jeanne Rosser and she's amazing! She's in Amityville but will travel to you. Call your insurance as they may cover a few visits.

ETA: Don't let you Ped diagnose a tongue tie. Mine said my DD didn't have one, but as soon as I had it taken care of it was like night and day!! Let an LC or an ENT diagnose for you.

Message edited 1/22/2015 5:08:57 AM.

Breastfeeding mama's

BF my DS literally hurt for 8 weeks. I had his latch checked by numerous people and they kept telling me it was fine. I dreaded feeding him. When he nursed, he was like a maniac! I have no advice other than that it will get better.

Re: Breastfeeding mama's

My DD's latch was awful. I went to the BF support group that was offered through Winthrop hospital. The woman who conducts the meetings is the head nurse of the NICU at Winthrop and is phenomenal. I can't say enough about her. She fixed my DD's latch and the pain went away in a few days. I also met some really nice mommas and loved getting out to go to the meetings every Wednesday.

Breastfeeding mama's

Since ds was preemie he had latching issues, so I used a nipple sheild for a few weeks. Eventually I was able to wean him off it. I know he's got a shallow latch (not taking enough in) when it hurts. For me, my letdown actually hurts a little, bfing or pumping, but the pain goes away quickly.

Breastfeeding mama's

as others suggested, i would see a LC to make sure baby is latching properly. WIth my first, i was told she is latching well...but i was in so much pain. I went out and purchased nipple shields and they were a lifesaver! I used them for 2-3 months (cant recall exactly when i stopped using them) but she had no problem transitioning and continued to bf til 7 months old.

Breastfeeding mama's

I had little to no pain with either dd. You can check alliedpeds.com for an lc. They have resources across the island and you don't have to be a patient. I used the Peconic pediatrics location with dd and they were amazing.

Re: Breastfeeding mama's

I had issues with my DS's latch as well which caused my nipples to bleed and become very sore. I saw Dr Macaluso who is a LC and she was able to give me an Rx for an antibiotic cream which healed them in a couple of days. She was also able to give me tips on how to latch him on better. She also takes insurance but you have to go to her office in New Hyde Park. GL!

ETA: Letdown was extremely painful for me for the first couple of weeks and then went away. It only lasted a few seconds and I remember screaming out a couple of times because it was so painful. BF'ing for me got better around 4 weeks.

Message edited 1/22/2015 10:40:16 AM.

Breastfeeding mama's

With all 3 of mine, I had blisters and cracking for the first few weeks. Then it was fine with no pain at all.

Re: Breastfeeding mama's

i used kathleen waldow and loved her

Re: Breastfeeding mama's

Took me a few weeks to stop feeling pain when he would breastfeed. Now I barely even notice it's happening. It gets better - hang in there!

Re: Breastfeeding mama's

Re: Breastfeeding mama's

in my experience nursing my two, the first two weeks are killer. i remember knowing my kid was on right when it hurt like hell for those first 15 seconds. to help make those weeks bearable, i used soothies when i wasn't nursing, lanolin and let my nipples get as much air as possible.

good luck! it should pass.

Breastfeeding mama's

It took me two weeks. It was like 30 seconds of horrific pain and then mostly okay for the rest of the session. I remember flexing my feet back and forth bc I wanted to scream. It felt like razors cutting my nips.