Hi Mums,
I gave birth to my wee bubba 4 weeks ago and have been struggling to breastfeed exclusively.
My entire pregnancy with him, my nipples were so sensitive they hurt. I couldnt wear certain bras, couldnt run water on them, couldnt touch them, it was horrible. When he was born they were still sore and I panicked about feeding but pushed through the pain and figured it would get better eventually but 4 weeks on its worse, far worse. They feel like they are on fire after every feed. Every latch is excruciating for about 10 seconds and I dread the next feed. Sometimes I seize up and kick while trying not to scream, sometimes I cry.
I put it down to hormones but my Midwife queried Reynauds. Sounds similar feeling wise, only my nipples dont go white after a feed. Purple, yes, but not white. Has anyone else had experience with this or similar? If so, did the medication help?
Its to the point where I had to begin mix feeding because I physically could not do 3 breastfeeds in a row because my nipples were on fire for hours after the second feed - sometimes still burning 24 hours later but I would love to get back to breastfeeding exclusively.
Note:
- He was tongue tied, it was released and latch corrected. 100× better but still on fire
- Have tried pumping and I get the same result. Cant pump twice in a row on the lowest setting
- Have been tested for thrush, negative
- Have tried soothing techniques (creams, ointments, cold flannels, warm flannels, breast discs etc.) to no avail
- Have tried every position, no difference
- Have tried everything!!!
Can anyone help with this? Its driving me crazy. Now im not here to start "The Great Breastfeeding Debate" but I want to breastfeed exclusively - and that is MY choice. Its no ones right to judge or make rude comments because of how I feel. I have had 4 babies, all breastfed with no issues (minus latch) until now and this time IM the issue so its hard not to feel like a failure. Im so close to throwing in the towel because I physically cannot handle the pain anymore.
12 Replies
Congratulations on your baby!!!! What an exciting time.
Have you consulted a lactation consultant? Has he been checked and double checked for a lip tie? I'd be seeking out professional advice as opposed to just the midwife.
Temporarily, try using nipple shields to help you out. What pump are you currently using? If you aren't using a hospital grade pump, look at doing so. I recommend the Spectra S2. You can also hire pumps. Are your breasts being drained fully? Unfortunately if there's no obvious reasons, you will just have to suck it up and try and push on through the pain. It will get better. Slather lansinoh on your nipples. Having a warm shower will help the pain at times. Rub breastmilk onto your nipples. Clean up after each feed and reapply cream.
I could only stick in out for 12 weeks, BF is a bloody hard gig and it's a blessing to be able to do it :)
Thank you!
Yes, an IBCLC was who snipped his tongue. He does have a lip tie but not enough to affect his feeding.
I am using a Spectra S2, swear by those babies! Yep, draining fully but nipple shields I forgot about. Might go buy one today, thank you!
I highly recommend getting the Medela shield (they're about $28 for 2 so they are expensive) as opposed to the Avent ones. I got them from Chemist Warehouse and they're so so good. They're super light too and I felt nothing except my let down (I too really struggled feeding).
Once your nipples have healed you should be able to go back to feeding without them - fingers crossed!
I second the medela shields! They allowed me to be able to breastfeed after massive problems with my first. Target and Coles also stock them
Yes I had this. I had thrush. You need nilstat oral prescription for the bub, an oral ointment for your breast, to keep them as dry as possible so not covered, dried with a hair dryer after each feed and if you can, some direct sunlight. If you start doing that, it will improve. I almost bit my son's hand one time when he latched and the pain was excruciating! By 6 weeks, bubs mouth will be bigger and you should have thrush under control and it will be much better. Natural remedies will not work in my experience. If you have an electronic pump, it can be less painful than feeding. Sometimes I would express a feed to give myself a (semi) break. Very irregularly I used 1 feed of formula for a proper break but only a small feed and not frequently so my milk didn't decrease.
Ps... Actually had this with both children and it was horrible and most doctors tried to convince me that I should swap to formula completely so congratulations on sticking it out. I'm glad I did but it felt like it would never get better and while I'm proud I persevered, I would never judge someone who chose not to. Happy mum, happy bub. Were your nipples inverted? That was an additional issue for me so the skin was also weak and would strip off
Additional comment number 2 lol... The nipple shields didn't really help me once the thrush was bad but definitely worth a try.
She already said she has tested negative against thrush :)
Have you tried nipple shields?soft silicone its the only way I could bf.
I feel for you. I am breastfeeding my 4th baby and one of my nipples keeps splitting open and bleeding! The pain is horrendous! Im getting my baby checked for a lip tie in a couple of days.
Get some nipple shields! They will save you. Xx
Definitely give the shields a go, my first also had a tongue and lip tie and it wasn’t corrected, most painful thing I ever did was ebf her and I have the scars to show. A big go you! for being so persistent and wanting to follow through with it.
Also I found he creams etc just made it worse and the only thing that helped ‘toughen’ them up was sunlight. Can be a bit difficult depending on where you live but ty to get your boobs in the sun for a little bit each day, I found the move I moisturised the worse they got.
Good luck and I hope you make it (mine stopped hurting on their own around 6 weeks) xx
I wish to share my breastfeeding journey with you. It goes over two babies. My first came at 35 weeks, and wasn't able to latch right away because of prematurity. I pumped and fed. But after a week, the amount I could get with the pump dropped dramatically. I felt full, but no amount of massage, or warm towels, or warm showers or any concoction designed to help breastfeeding mothers would get me to let down. My bub still couldn't latch properly, so I pumped what I could, and supplemented with formula. I did eventually get him to latch, my supply was soon enough for him, and he was off the formula. Then a week later, he started teething, and refused the breast entirely. I tried and tried to get him back on, but he wouldn't have a bar of it. So, I pumped, and supplemented again, until he was 8 months old, and I required a medication that I couldn't breastfeed while I was on.
The entire process took a great tole on my mental health. It took me a long time to recover. And when my second bub was born I tried again to breastfeed. It seemed to start perfectly. He latched without any pain from the get go. Then on day three the vomiting started, just a bit at first, but it soon increased to the entire feed, projectile, everywhere, every time. I had no choice, he would feed, vomit, want more, feed, vomit that, and I'd be empty. Only, he would vomit the formula too. Eventually he would keep enough down, or pass out from exhaustion, not sure which. I cut so much out of my diet, it would be easier to list what I was eating. It didn't help. He was eventually diagnosed as lactose intolerant. There was no way I could have ever breastfed him. And the guilt I have for making him sick trying still haunts me.
I have learned through this, that sometimes we don't get what we want, and that's ok. When we have exhausted every avenue, we are allowed to move on. There is no fault, or failure. It's fine to want something, but don't let it's pursuit cost you your physical or mental health.