Bfing question re: latch

Does it hurt at all when your LO latches on?

This is my second time BFing but with DD I had to use a shield. I thought DD2 had a great latch but I do have sore/cracked nips. I am also getting over 2nd case of mastitis so I really want to avoid that again, because I think that will make me be done with bfing :(

She latches on and I think its a good latch, lips are "flanged", she seems satisfied (gaining weight like a champ), she has the jaw movements.... but it KILLS for the first 10-15 seconds when she latches on. There is no pain afterward, just the inital latch on. I am reading conflicting reports that it shouldn't hurt at all, or that there should be some discomfort for the first 30 seconds,


I am considering meeting with a LC but wanted to ask here first.

Thanks!

Re: Bfing question re: latch

Everyone said if it's correct, it shouldn't hurt. Well, mine still hurts a lot of times- not as bad and I'm not cracked or anything - but for some reason, especially my right side, he will just get me and it's pretty painful. I have pretty much gotten used to it but it's not fun.

DS is 4 1/2 months now. I have been to the LC numerous times - I swear, every time I would go, he'd get it right. So, there really wasn't a lot they could do. I was ready to throw in the towel but I really wanted it to work this time so I just dealt with it (no mastisis or clogged ducts this time - with DS#1 I gave up after about 3 months b/c he could never latch and it hurt and the clogged ducts -I couldn't take it.)

I think seeing a LC could be helpful. If nothing else, it gave me a chance to ask questions and check to make sure DS was gaining weight.

Good luck!!

Eta- I did have sore and cracked nipples for the first month or so.

Message edited 12/11/2013 11:35:02 AM.

Re: Bfing question re: latch

i had cracked, bleeding, sore nipples too...and dd was gaining weight and getting milk so i assumed it was normal. i suffered through it for a while, and then went to the shields bc the pain got so bad. we used the shields for a while (8 weeks maybe) i probably could have stopped sooner but i think i had a fear of the pain coming back so i just used them for my peace of mind. anyway, when i finally took the shields off, i was able to BF with no pain at all.

maybe it is normal, and its just our body getting used to it...but for me, the shields were a lifesaver. if i kept bfing dd without the shields i dont think my nipples would have ever healed.
i would use them until you are healed (and use lansinoh cream after each feeding) and then try again without them

Re: Bfing question re: latch

Yes.

DS is gaining a ton, is happy when eating, but BFing is painful for me. More on one side than the other. The left side, the initial latch hurts and then it's totally fine. The right side, the initial latch KILLS and then often times the entire feeding is painful, AND it's painful after. Sometimes worse than others. I saw an LC early on and at that point his latch was fine - I think he's gotten lazy and his latch is shallower. If I work really hard to get him to latch deeply on the painful side it helps. I'm 7.5 weeks in.

Bfing question re: latch

DS's latch stopped hurting after the first few weeks. I would consider seeing a LC if you haven't already.

Re: Bfing question re: latch

I remember it hurt me for the first 10 seconds or so during the first few weeks of BFing, but after that it wasn't painful at all. I don't know if it just took a little time for my skin to heal and toughen up or what, but I did keep up with the lanolin cream during that time so maybe that helped.

Bfing question re: latch

This happened to me once. I went to go see a lactation consultant and she said it should never hurt or be chapped/bleeding. Could be her latch. Have you seen a lc?