Is it ment to hurt?

[mummy to be]

Hi there ladies.
Just had my baby girl 3 days ago..... So this whole breast feeding thing is very new to me.....

My nipples are already cracked and sore.... it hurts when she latches on (mainly on the left side) untill she gets going then it stops hurting... i am currently using Lansinoh cream to help with the dryness and cracking and it seems to help but just wanted to know if anyone else has having this problem??? Is it normal...

I am also starting to feel a little ummmmmm overwhelmed with it all... I am not sure on how i am feeling being the only one able to feed her...
Is that normal as well or????

Thanks in advance
-xox-

 

[lyndsey3010]

Darling Im exactly the same, I started a post on her a couple of days ago as i was really struggling.

I started to use different positions, rugby ball and laying down work much better for me at the moment. I was in tears a couple of days with every feed and when your milk comes in, chances are you will feel really emotional (probably right about now....)

Hang in there it does get better I promise, Cooper is a week old and Im not crying anymore with the latching on, day 5 was for me the worst.

You are doing so well already, its an emotional and physical rollercoaster but you're well on your way. There's gonna be some of the best support in the world posting on this thread, girls who have been through it and are out the other side.

Big hugs and just remember, you're not alone.

XXXX

 

[ryder]

Have you had someone help and check your latch? Sometimes an incorrect latch can cause those probs.... however, sometimes everything is done right and those things can happen anyway.

Some people claim its not supposed to hurt, but I can think or a number of women on this site and in real life who did everything correct and it was still painful.

Hope it clears up soon!

 

[Arcanegirl]

I definatley say the pain doesnt go away completley, my mw said the same aswell.
I found it hard going untill 2 days ago and ready to give up. Hang in there

 

[Swiss Lyd]

Definitely try and hang in there - it does get better! When I first started the pain seemed unbearable at times and I almost gave up because of it, but I perservered and now all's going well. I don't get any pain at all now when I breastfeed.

Something I found that really helped with sore nipples was to dab some cooled sage tea on them, a tip my midwife gave me! I didn't get a special tea just put some sage in boiling water, cooled it and then dabbed it on with cotton wool after feeds. Sounded a bit weird but the pain was so bad I was willing to try anything and thankfully it did help!

 

[Mervs Mum]

The ladies above said it - Hang in there....I promise it wont last forever x

 

[CapitalChick]

My nipples killed me (like, toe curling pain) for four weeks!! It shouldn't hurt that much the whole time you're feeding...only for the first minute, then it should feel better. I don't know what happened, but all of the sudden it just stopped hurting and now it's really better...
Hang in there...it will get better. Make sure you get a good latch going!

 

[Samantha675]

Feeling overwhelmed is totally normal love, I felt so overwhelmed after my son was born.

You can also express a bit of milk, rub it around the nipple and let that airdry before putting the Lansinoh on.

 

[Shifter]

The first few days can be very painful but your nipples soon harden up. Mine still hurt a bit for the first few seconds of each feed, but it's much better than in that first week. I also reckon that the day or two where your milk comes in are the most painful as your LO is learning to draw it down and take bigger gulps. Stick with it, it's worth it

Being emotionally overwhelmed is totally normal too hun.

 

[Brockie]

Itas all totally normal hon and i promise you within a couple weeks the pain just goes, its like magic! my nipples were so sore and cracked, keep using that cream and i found a warm bath felt great too helped soothe the pain xx well done, couple of weeks time you will be plain sailing xxx

 

[kitty1987]

My nipples hurt like hell for a while and then got better and then got sore again when I got thrush!!! Honestly just stick at it though becuase it get much better and easier. I love BF now

 

[MelanieSweets]

Hey sweetie oh i know exactly how you feel ....
I had this trouble ... and i have had to swap to formula, and its great baby is happier on it and so am i but now my milk is in i want to start expressing, so your not alone at all, i was crying my eyes out in pain ... baby screaming cause he was hungry ..its emotional stuff i tell you x

 

[Twinkles]

BF definitely pushes you to your limits, there were so many times i nearly gave up in that first week, i was in tears everyday. You just have to grit your teeth and have faith that it will absolutely get better, i promise you it will xxx

Also i had a lactation specialist come round and help me, she was fantastic, please dont struggle on alone, these ladies are so experienced.

 

[mummy to be]

oh my god... thank you so much ladies.... i have been so close to just giving up and telling Allan to go and buy bottles and formula.. i cant do this.. but it is getting a little better. A little bit....

I cant believe what a amazing support network we have here on this website!!!! i cant believe that for every single question i have all you ladies have a answer and solutions to everything!!!
THANK YOU!!!

I will keep you all posted on how i am going....

 

[Shifter]

Keep going hun! You're doing great and it is still very early days

 

[milkmachine]

i HATED breastfeeding at first, it hurt so badly i wanted to throw my baby off of me i cried everytime i fed her.... i dont know what changed but something did and it all clicked and now i LOVE it. it gets better i promise