https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 16:22:51 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-895398 Sat, 29 Jun 2013 13:10:51 +0000 tinypiglet 895398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pepper: I had the same cringe-inducing pain for almost a week, and then it got better. You will find it will start to change with your milk arriving (less pulling / hard sucking), too. My nipples have healed to the point where I don't have any scabs or bloody spots, and I no longer wince when I put her to my breast (woohoo!) </p> <p>I'd suggest Earth Mama Angel Baby nipple butter - I liked it better than lanolin (which I felt the need to wash off before feeding) and motherlove nipple cream (just didn't seem to be as soothing as the EMAB butter). Plus to me it smells like chocolate, or something yummy along those lines. :) Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-894097 Fri, 28 Jun 2013 15:44:16 +0000 Pepper 894097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you all SO much, you've offered such wonderful advice! Just knowing that so many people have experienced pain as well helps me get through it, because I feel like I'm not doing something wrong. I started to get my real milk today which has helped a lot with the pain, and I think I'm starting to get used to it. I also pumped a little today which was surprisingly not as painful as nursing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-891891 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 21:19:26 +0000 Espion 891891@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Everyone has great advice. I just also wanted to say that it gets much better over time. My little guy is 3 weeks old today, and I thought I'd have to nickname him "bear trap". My husband watched me nurse him with tears in my eyes, it hurt so much. And now, a mere 3 weeks out, it's not perfect, but it is a thousand times better than it was in the beginning! Somehow something seems to click, and it all becomes much smoother. And I never would have believed that when I was at day 2! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-891823 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 21:01:06 +0000 immabeetoo 891823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Lots of good advice - but also wanted to say if you have a pump, you could pump and then offer expressed milk as a break too! I promise it gets better though :)</p> <p>Lanisoh soothies are amazing for the early days too, put them in the fridge first! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-891703 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 20:28:35 +0000 sotofamilia 891703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pepper: I had the same piercing awful pain when I started out nursing -my toes curled every time he latched on. What helped me were breast shells -I had the medela but ameda makes them too. I got the ones for sore nipples, which basically keeps your bra/shirt from rubbing against them. I would coat them in lanolin and put those things on and it was SO MUCH BETTER.</p> <p>I used them for about six weeks day and night and never had any problems (although I think they might put you at a higher risk for thrush, but I was in so much pain, I just wanted relief).</p> <p>I also wanted to echo PP that I think part of it is time -he's four months now, EBF, and I don't feel a thing lol.</p> <p>Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-891223 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 19:25:56 +0000 mrsjyw 891223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>awww hang in there friend!</p> <p>it took a few days (of bleeding and scabbing and nipple shields) for my nips to get broken in ... and my milk came in day 5, and DS had been on formula for a day or so when we found out he had lost more than the 10% at 5 day? checkup.</p> <p>the only other thing i've read is from hb that it can be an undetected tongue or lip tie! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-891086 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 19:04:45 +0000 Kemma 891086@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@rahlyrah: things definitely improve when your milk comes in because of the reduction in friction :-)</p> <p>@hilsy85: tongue and / or lip tie was my first thought too.</p> <p>@Pepper: hang in there Mama and just take it one feed at a time! Your and your wee babe are BOTH learning how to breastfeed and nursing will definitely get more comfortable as the days go by. Baby's mouth will get bigger, his neck will get stronger and you'll become more confident handling him and latching him on.</p> <p>You could also try icing your nipples before nursing and taking some form of pain relief to take the edge off the pain.</p> <p>And don't hesitate to see your IBCLC if things don't improve!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-890810 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 18:02:43 +0000 Ra 890810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pepper: I've been dealing with the same issue! The first few days, I would literally cry every time he latched on. It didn't help that he would latch on and then come off and then latch on and off. It was torture. I seriously considered giving up.</p> <p>I went to the LC and found out that he wasn't transferring much anyway so I had no choice but to supplement because he was losing so much weight. I also started pumping so I could supplement with breast milk as much as possible. The pumping actually brought my milk in (it didn't come until day 5) and B's latch improved GREATLY once he started getting the good stuff. The break on my nipples when I do supplement (either BM or formula) has been wonderful and it has helped DH bond with him because he can feed with bottles (and let me sleep!). B hasn't experienced any nipple confusion from it. I still nurse with the shields and now that he latches better and stays on I experience a lot less pain.</p> <p>I am not much further into the process than you are but I promise you it gets easier! You are both learning and will eventually get into a groove. Good luck mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-890803 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 18:00:28 +0000 katsupgirl 890803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pepper: my mom used to make fun of me because every time DD latched I'd jerk my leg cause it hurt. It was like this curious little twitch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-890779 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:55:43 +0000 hilsy85 890779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pepper: also if you already have bleeding and sores/scabs, see if you can get a prescription for APNO--it needs to be made at a compounding pharmacy but it is AMAZING and will heal you up quickly. It also has anti fungal agents to help ward off thrush. </p> <p>The fact that you're bleeding DEFINITELY makes me think your LO is tongue tied or that his latch is otherwise poor--bleeding is not part of normal breastfeeding. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-890772 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:53:29 +0000 hilsy85 890772@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has he been checked for a tongue/lip tie? Do your nipples look like tubes of new lipstick when they come out of his mouth or do they look normal? </p> <p>Do you think his latch is getting more shallow? A lot of people find laid back nursing helpful: <a href="http://www.biologicalnurturing.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.biologicalnurturing.com/</a></p> <p>Also, I didn't like lanolin--I found that it was too thick and gloppy to spread without causing me more pain. I loved motherlove nipple cream. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-890756 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:49:26 +0000 mrsbookworm 890756@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was definitely painful for me in the beginning - he had a really strong suck as well. I used a lot of lanolin and also sent my husband out to buy gel pads. Eventually, my nipples toughened up and it got much better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-890751 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:48:05 +0000 Ginger333 890751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did you have antibiotics in labour? I'd first think bad latch, but if you've seen an LC and the latch is good, my next guess would be thrush. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-890748 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:47:07 +0000 tysonja 890748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>ohhh hang in there dear :*( i totally feel your pain. i had tear inducing/silent scream/bleeding-scabby-ness for about 3 months :*( my experience was longer than most, but all to say i comiserate with your pain :( </p> <p>for sure let your LC know what is going on and hopefully your nipples don't get to the bleeding/scabby stage -- if they don't, then you are probably ok and it will get better in a week or two :) you are amazing!! </p> <p>the second week i defintely ended up taking 2 days off of nursing and just pumped. it kind of affected my supply, though, so i don't know if i should recommend that :( but it helped a bit!</p> <p>eta: i agree with covering them with breastmilk after nursing, airdrying as much as possible, and then lots of lansinoh before putting your breastpads/bra/nursing tank back on. hang in there :) you are awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-890742 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:45:33 +0000 edelweiss 890742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>as to the formula, i supplemented starting on day 5 for about 2 weeks (and then moved to supplementing with pumped breast milk in a bottle), and it didn't mess up our nursing relationship. </p> <p>i'm sorry about the pain! i definitely had scabs the first couple of weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-890737 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:43:41 +0000 sorrycharlie 890737@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I hate to say it but it just took a bit of time for my nipples to toughen up :( </p> <p>Also try expressing breast milk and rubbing it on your nipples and letting them air dry between feedings </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-890736 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:42:24 +0000 JerricaBenton 890736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was very painful for me in the beginning, too. I know it doesn't help so much now, but it really does get better with time. In those first few weeks I would be crying out in pain and now I don't feel any pain. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-890734 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:42:03 +0000 Pepper 890734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@katsupgirl: That sounds like me for sure. I'm thinking you're right about time. </p> <p>@Navy_Mommy: It lasts the majority of the time. Sometimes it'll lessen up, but for the most part, it'll last the entire session and I'll have to detach him early. He also loves to fall asleep while he eats, so when he pauses and starts up again, it's very painful. I am using lansinol, but maybe not enough? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-890716 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:35:25 +0000 Navy_Mommy 890716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Does it last the whole timetime he is latched? It's very normal to have latch pain in the early days as your nipples get used to it, but it should fade within 30 seconds of latching. </p> <p>Are you using nipple cream? If you're developing sores you should be HEAVILY coating your nipples with lansinoh after every time he nurses. </p> <p>It'll get better! You just have to give your body a chance to adjust. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-890688 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:29:25 +0000 katsupgirl 890688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry. It hurt like crazy in the beginning. I worked with every LC on the hospital. They said her latch was good but she had a vigorous suck. I was miserable. I'm hoping someone else has some advice. Time was the only thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeeding-pain#post-890657 Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:22:39 +0000 Pepper 890657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So LO is two days old and we just got home from the hospital. I've been trying to breastfeed since he was born, but I'm having a lot of issues with pain... severe pain that brings tears to my eyes - feels like needles jamming into my nipples. I worked with the nurses and a lactation consultant who all agree that he has a very strong and great latch, but I have very sensitive nipples. They said he "chomps down" and sucks really really hard, which combined with my sensitivity, is not a good mix. I already have bleeding and sores, and it hasn't even been three days :( I tried using a shield, but it actually hurts more, because he doesn't latch as well.</p> <p>I keep thinking about supplementing with formula, but I don't want to throw him off since he's doing such a good job with nursing, and it has only been 2 days. But the pain! Did anyone else deal with this? What did you do? </p>