https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 24 May 2026 14:19:04 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-152345 Tue, 08 May 2012 18:18:24 +0000 erinpye 152345@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a LOT of pain breastfeeding at first and both nipples were cracked and bleeding. I'd be sitting there nursing with tears in my eyes, wondering how other people made it look so easy. I tried one simple thing and it saved my breastfeeding life: every time I finished breastfeeding, I put lanolin on my nipple and then covered it in a small square of plastic wrap- it seriously made all the difference in the world, the lanolin alone hadn't done much previously. My DD is now a month old and I nurse without pain and no longer have to use the lanolin/ Saran wrap combo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-149872 Sun, 06 May 2012 18:14:47 +0000 cvbee 149872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Downward Dog: your " really squish your breast with your hand so that it's flatter as it goes into baby's mouth , and then keep holding it that way during the feeding" tip is great. I've been having some issues with one boob and that helped a lot. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-149606 Sun, 06 May 2012 09:00:26 +0000 Nskillet 149606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the encouragement ladies! After quite a few feedings off and focusing on pumping my nips have healed beautifully and toughened up considerably!! DDs latch has also seemed to improve some and she seems more efficient at getting milk out/nursing which we are doing during overnights.</p> <p>She seems to be experiencing a little growth spurt though and demanding quite a bit more to eat so glad my girl is getting bigger! Supplementing was the best decision for our family and im so glad she eagerly takes both breast and bottle!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-149471 Sun, 06 May 2012 01:10:44 +0000 lemondrop 149471@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You are doing a great job despite difficulties, and shouldn't feel guilty at all- you will anyway though, that is part of being a mom. </p> <p>Definitely look into nipple shields, they are a lifesaver! The gel soothies help a lot too. Also seeing a lactation consultant can really make you feel better too- I always felt better about breastfeeding and life in general after seeing mine. She also gave me great advice on how to keep the baby's head at the proper angle to help improve the latch, and keep the nipples from getting quite as raw. </p> <p>Keep up the hard work, it does get easier after a while! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-149337 Sat, 05 May 2012 19:59:17 +0000 Mrs. Stroller 149337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It does take a little time to get use to it. I second the suggestion to use gel soothies.</p> <p>We had a heck of a time in the beginning and the two things that helped me the most were going to see a private lactation consultant (hands-down the best money I spent on a baby expense!) and going to a breastfeeding support group each week. </p> <p>Stick with it, it will get better and you will be glad you did! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-149334 Sat, 05 May 2012 19:55:38 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 149334@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Nskillet: To help healing/pain, definitely try some of the comfort gel pads/soothies. You pop them in the fridge for a bit and ahhhhh. And you can reuse them for awhile. You will toughen up, but those help so much in the meantime. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-149279 Sat, 05 May 2012 18:50:15 +0000 mrsjazz 149279@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@deannab1: I agree. I can't believe how hard it is. My daughter is 18 days old and we are on a roller coaster where she has her great latches and the ones where I'm cringing. My nipples hurt so much. I have a lactation consultant coming over tomorrow morning to help. My baby is gaining lots of weight but I'm in so much pain! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-149271 Sat, 05 May 2012 18:37:23 +0000 deannab1 149271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am still shocked at how difficult breast feeding is. I worried about everything throughout my pregnancy, but breast feeding never crossed my mind. It's such a natural concept that I never thought twice about it. My son is 16 days old and breast feeding has been our biggest battle thus far. He sucks in his lower lip and he just can't get a good latch. After losing over 1 lb in his first 4 days, we had lactation step in and help. After trying multiple things we now use a shield (my husband calls it the nipple sombrero!). The shield is a pain in the butt, but it makes the job much easier and my nipples have remained intact. Now that we've got the hang of breast feeding it's time to try to ween him off the shield. Just one battle after another. Have you tried using soothies? My sister is a l &amp; d nurse and she swears they help a ton with preventing soreness and rawness. I keep mine in the fridge until I need them and it feels relieving when I put them on. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-149268 Sat, 05 May 2012 18:34:11 +0000 Downward Dog 149268@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>One tip for a deep latch is to really squish your breast with your hand so that it's flatter as it goes into baby's mouth , and then keep holding it that way during the feeding. It gets easier in he early weeks as your baby's mouth gets bigger and she learns to open it wide in order to latch on. Eventually, the pain goes away and there is no discomfort at all. For some people, it takes a bit longer but it does happen. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-149237 Sat, 05 May 2012 17:32:58 +0000 MegWag 149237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We were fine until we hit his 6 week growth spurt and he wanted to feed all the time. No one had warned me about it so it took me completely by surprise! My nips got really raw and we've been in a cycle since them of getting better and then having trouble again. Just keep at it (if that's what you want!) and I'm sure you'll get through it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-149225 Sat, 05 May 2012 16:32:51 +0000 littleveesmommy 149225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had a lot of my the second and third week from my nips getting used to the very frequent feedings LO required. They were also scabbed from a not quite right latch - I literally cringed every time she latched since it didn't have a chance to heal before the next feeding. I was very rigorous with applying milk after each feeding, air dry then lanolin. When it finally healed I was so happy! Now nursing is good again except for the occasional clogged duct I get - it shows up in the same spot and almost seems weekly. It's a lot of work but feels great when you can get it to work. =) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-149200 Sat, 05 May 2012 14:14:48 +0000 Nskillet 149200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Waiting to hear back from a lacation consultant and currently only nursing during overnights to combat my engorgement. Today sheshas breastmilk bottles and formula and is doing great.</p> <p>mommy guilt is so tough!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-149024 Sat, 05 May 2012 08:11:43 +0000 looch 149024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>An LC can also do a laser treatment on you to heal the scabs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-149019 Sat, 05 May 2012 08:02:39 +0000 ohapostrophe 149019@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely see an LC. It's not supposed to hurt that much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-149018 Sat, 05 May 2012 08:02:34 +0000 ohapostrophe 149018@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely see an LC. It's not supposed to hurt that much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-149017 Sat, 05 May 2012 08:02:28 +0000 ohapostrophe 149017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely see an LC. It's not supposed to hurt that much! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-149011 Sat, 05 May 2012 07:51:17 +0000 kgbee 149011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My boy had a great latch at first, but by the 2nd week had gotten rather shallow. It took a lot of lanolin and readjusting the latch to make sure it was good and deep (i.e. taking him off and trying again, and again, and again, sometimes a half dozen times until it worked) before I healed and was comfortable again. Now at 7.5 weeks, I'm only really sore if I get engorged or if I slack off with the milk and lanolin routine. And sometimes my nips are still a little lipstick-like, but I can hear the click that that latch makes, and readjust him before it causes a problem. I had to learn to be patient and wait for a really big open mouth, rock the boob into his mouth from the bottom side and simultaneously rock his head down and onto the boob. Moving his head was not instinctual but is best for getting a deep latch. Best of luck! They will toughen up, but better to get skilled with a good latch so that baby gets milk out well and you can enjoy the process. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-149000 Sat, 05 May 2012 07:31:16 +0000 Nskillet 149000@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for all the comments ladies! Yeah, I may need to look into a nipple shield and do have a call into a lactation consultant through my daughters pediatrician. I am mostly nursing for evening/overnight feedings to battle engorgement and am pumping/supplementing a few other feedings. DD has no nipple confusion but I think has a shallow latch or loves to suck her tongue which makes nursing so hard! </p> <p>I cried for hours the other day feeling so guilty and sad about it. DH has been amazing and continues to support my pumping and whatever I need to do to be successful. </p> <p>Does anyone have any deep latch tips? Also, do the nipples just eventually toughen up if I push through? I guess I'm worried because all the lactation consultants at the hospital saw our football hold latch and said it was excellent! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-148989 Sat, 05 May 2012 06:58:15 +0000 Downward Dog 148989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hang in there! Have you talked to a Lactation Consultant? They can be really helpful and supportive, and could probably get you started with a nipple shield, to get you healed up. It really is hard in the beginning but it gets much better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-148986 Sat, 05 May 2012 06:50:05 +0000 heffalump 148986@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had issues with breastfeeding, starting with my milk not coming in and then everything kind of spiraled from that. I ended up giving up after a week. Feeding time was not fun, in fact it was miserable. I cried every time. And finally I decided I didn't want it to be miserable anymore, I didn't like doing that to my poor LO. So I switched to formula, and cried about it for days. I still do feel some guilt, but I do know it was the best choice for us. LO is happy and healthy and thriving. And that's all that matters to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-148983 Sat, 05 May 2012 06:35:36 +0000 loveisstrange 148983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If it's coming out looking like a lipstick tube, then the latch isn't right. Your nipple should look the same coming out as it did going in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-148980 Sat, 05 May 2012 06:12:39 +0000 SAHM0811 148980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try to keep them open to air in between feedings to let them heal. Lanolin can help... so can putting a little breastmilk on them after feedings. Just be topless as much as you can or put shells in your bra. If it gets very bad, visit your OB right away, and he/she can give you some prescription nipple cream. the first few weeks are the hardest!!! Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-148930 Fri, 04 May 2012 21:54:04 +0000 sandy 148930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes it is so so so so painful for 2-3 weeks and then it gets<br /> better...but my right side was a little painful probably until 2 months but nothing like the pain in te beginning. I would totally grit my teeth and feel like I wanted to punch something everytime LO nursed in the beginning...I thought there was no way it would get better or that I would ever forget that kind of pain but it suddenly did get better and I can't really remember the pain now. I never imagined breastfeeding was going to be so painful </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-148924 Fri, 04 May 2012 21:38:20 +0000 brownie 148924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It takes some time for the nips to acclimate. I used to nurse all day from one side and pump the other. Than switch. It does get better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/breastfeedingouch#post-148913 Fri, 04 May 2012 21:16:52 +0000 Nskillet 148913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is one week old tomorrow....yowsa! Ive been so busy acclimating to mommyhood ive been MIA and havent had a chance to write my birth story or anything else!</p> <p>Nursing is a real challenge. I thought DD had a decent latch and had no nippe pain until both my nipples suddenly seemed to have painful blisters and scabs. No amount of lanolin or milk has helped them. Ive slowed down nursing and have been pumping and formula feeding but cant shake the guilt!</p> <p>Anyone else?!</p> <p>Any tips on helping my LO not turn my nips into what looks like new lipstck? Good news is she seems to love the bottle! </p>