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@PixieStix: Oh mama. Hang in there!! Up until 6 weeks was rough for us. I promise it gets better, and easier, and you didn't cause these issues. Can you see the LC again and maybe take a video of her helping you with positioning or bring your SO to watch and help?

@PixieStix: oh big hugs hun!! I have been where you are! Some things:

- if your LO is compressing your nipples when he nurses, I would bet my boots that the pain you are having is vasospasms. I had them as well due to LO's bad latch. Do you notice that your nipples are blanched when they come out of LO's mouth? This was so so painful for me--I literally couldn't hold LO against my chest because it hurt so bad. I found that taking 500mg of calcium and magnesium helped SO much. The pain went away in like a week and never came back! The most important thing is fixing LO's latch though.

- What kind of TT does he have? Does he have a posterior tongue tie? If so, he could have a lip tie as well. I know people might have differing opinions on this, but my LO had a posterior tongue tie and although I was told it was not severe, I still got it clipped, and I really feel like it helped enormously. There's basically no reason to NOT do it--it's a super easy, fast procedure (takes about 5 seconds) so it might be worth seeking out a pediatric ENT (or talk to your pedi if he/she could do it).

- for any blisters or wounds on your nipples, I HIGHLY recommend all purpose nipple ointment (APNO). It healed me up in like 3 days and is safe to nurse with. Maybe consider switching off pumping with nursing on one breast to give it a break? I did that for about a week and found that it helped me heal!

- finally, it also takes time! Babies' mouths are so teeny when they're born, it can be tough to position well. I always heard 6 weeks was the magic time when it got better, but for me it was 8-9 wks when I was finally pain free. Check out these videos on assymetric latch, which might help him to latch better. http://www.naturallatch.com/helpful-links.html

Sorry for the novel! I hope this is helpful. Big hugs!!

@PixieStix: we had no issue with nipple confusion from the week or so that we did a lot of bottle feeding. I wouldn't stress about that!

My son never had any nipple confusion and we made it to 2 years old. As for being natural, yes it is but historically it was natural for women to be surrounded by women. So they had constant consultants.

@PixieStix: yup 500 mg of each. My OB had recommended I take calcium anyway while nursing, so I just added the magnesium separately, but I Think there are combo vitamins out there.

I had pretty bad open wounds on my nipples, and with the APNO they were looking MUCH better in like 3 days. Then it took a few days for the scabs to come off (soooo gross when they went in his mouth!) but that wasn't painful at least.

And your are SO not abnormal!! I think, however, that there is normal pain, and abnormal levels of pain. And it sounds like the LEVEL of pain you're having is not normal, meaning that something needs to change in your LO's latch--which it will,as he gets bigger/you figure out what to implement. I feel like I had a sh*t ton of issues in the first few months nursing, and we are now STILL nursing at 18 months So anything is possible.

@PixieStix: APNO is waayy better than lanolin--it soothes, heals, and prevents thrush (which you really really do not want, but can occur when you have open wounds and bacteria gets in there). It's expensive (I think I paid $50) and needs to be made at a compounding pharmacy, but it is worth its weight in gold. If your OB doesn't know the formula, it is on this website:
http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&id=76:all-purpose-nipple-ointment-apno&Itemid=17

I personally did not actually like lanolin--I found it really thick and gloppy and hard to spread, and painful when I tried to do that. I really really really loved motherlove nipple cream, so I used that after I was healed up when I needed extra protection. If coconut oil is working though, I would continue to use that along with the APNO.

I had that burning as well! It was the WORST and the worst worst part was that no one could tell me what it was or whether it would go away until my LC diagnosed me. I seriously thought my boobs would just hurt as long as I nursed (which at that point was not looking to be a long time).

I would just try to set small goals--like making it til Monday, and the making it til next Monday. Or when it's bad, just focus on making it through the next session. And it's ok to pump when it's really hard! Pump and let your DH give a bottle, and try to rest a bit.

@PixieStix: just want to add that I also saw someone from La Leche League--usually your local league will have someone who will do home visits (for a fee) or you can go to a meeting.

I also thought I had thrush due to the burning, and I actually took meds for it, but I now really think it was just inaccurately diagnosed vasospasms.

Anyway, sorry to keep jumping it! I just really relate to what you're experiencing!

This thread is filled with good advice, so I just want to chime in and say hugs! Your feelings of frustration are totally valid, and things will get better, especially as your baby gets bigger. I had such a tough time with positioning at first. You are awesome, and you'll get through!

@PixieStix: I didn't even know what a nipple shield was. (By the way.) Yes, I am pretty sure I dreaded every feeding. I had so much pain. All she wanted to do was nurse. I was bloody. I watched a show while nursing to distract myself from the pain. She was also so small and hyper she would kick my other breast so I had to sort of wrestle her in a football hold. You are doing a great job! I hope you have a SO or a support person. I remember a nurse finally said (at lo's appointment) "breastfeeding is painful and frustrating at first." It made me feel so much better.

I developed a blister around 6 months and we had to adjust our position. Part of it too is wear and tear. Those things are going through a lot so I think some funky things are bound to happen. I do take a probiotic everyday, I think that's a good idea for breastfeeding if you aren't already.

@PixieStix: So sorry that you are having problems! I would recommend looking into a ped ENT to look at his lip and tongue ties. We addressed E's ties and it made a HUGE improvement. I hated pumping all the time and it was just as hard on my poor nipples. (I will still send you breakdown I used last time tomorrow, people here are finally feeling better here!)

@PixieStix: by the way, my lanolin I suggested was amazing. I didn't rub it in at all, I just slabbed gobs, huge amounts on there. That's another thing, the nurse at the hospital was like "use breastmilk on your nipples it is way better" and no. Just no. Not for me anyway! I needed some serious heavy amounts of that lanolin!

I haven't read all the follow-up posts, but I just wanted to let you know that it is super hard in the beginning! I had a nightmare of a time and kept going until 26 months. It does get better. I suggest using lanolin and getting back to the LC again for help with latch. Keep going, it's worth it and you guys will get it. I had DH video my LC consult so I could go back and see exactly what she did. It was super helpful and I watched it a lot.

In my experience pumping is way harder and more time consuming and since the pump isn't nearly as effective as the baby, your supply will diminish sooner. I know it's so hard to BF at the start and the pump seems so easy, but in a few months you'll be whipping out a boob and feeding your baby without missing a beat and this will be a distance memory. It's soooo hard, but worth the effort. Big hugs, momma, you're doing a great job.

@PixieStix: good luck!!! I hope you're able to get in with an ENT soon, and that the APNO helps!