I had my LO a few days ago and breastfeeding has been hard. I have cried a lot and have felt completely inadequate at times.
My milk hasn't arrived so I am supplementing my colostrum with formula with a Medela SMS system. My LO sucks really hard and both nipples are cracked, raw, bloody. I have been using lanolin between feedings but do you think a shield would help?
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
oh i'm sorry it's been so painful! breastfeeding is difficult for many, if not most women, especially in the beginning. so don't beat yourself up! there is a learning curve and it'll get better with time.
a shield definitely helps with the soreness. they were passing them out like candy at our labor and delivery ward. applying milk on your nipples and walking around naked might help too. you can also try the ameda cool gel pads.
good luck! hope you get some relief soon!
squash / 13199 posts
When I read reviews about nipple shields most people said it helped a lot with soreness, so its definitely worth using it until your nipples heal up. Alternatively some moms pump exclusively for a while and thats supposed to less painful than actually nursing.. Good luck!
blogger / pomelo / 5400 posts
Please, please get some of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Ameda-17262-ComfortGel-Pads/dp/B000BUOS8Y
They just saved me from my teething monster. I use them when lanolin won't cut it.
clementine / 958 posts
I'm so sorry you're having a hard time 
My LO had a really poor latch, and I know how much cracked nipples hurt. A nipple shield helped a little - definitely worth a try. You may want to buy a couple sizes to make sure you get the right fit. I used one that was too small for a couple days, and it didn't help with reducing nipple trauma. Don't beat yourself up - from what I can tell, LOTS of us struggle with breastfeeding. Hang in there! One tip - if you're prone to yeast infections, I'd suggest a non-lanolin nipple cream (like this one from Motherlove: http://www.motherlove.com/product/1001-Nipple-Cream.html). Lanolin can form a moisture barrier that encourages yeast growth and lead to thrush.
GOLD / wonderful grape / 20289 posts
I had the same issue and tried the nipple shield but it didn't work for me. They're inexpensive so it's worth a try though.
I just wanted to say try not to beat yourself up if breastfeeding doesn't work for you. I got to a point where I dreaded feeding my lo. And I hated that feeling. Feeding her was supposed to be a happy, bonding time but it was just miserable for both of us. So I switched to formula. I cried and cried and cried about it. But now my baby is healthy, well fed, and happy. What more can I ask for? We still have awesome bonding time when I feed her because we cuddle and stare into each others eyes. And there's always that big plus that other people can feed her too, so my hubby gets to help and I can leave her with a grandparent if needed.
Hope everything works out for you! Let me know if you need someone to talk to, I literally was in your exact situation and know how hard it is!
blogger / pomelo / 5400 posts
@autumnlove: Also know that this is probably the roughest it will ever be! Your nipples will get much tougher and things will probably start changing for the better once your milk is in.
Hang in there ... if only you could have seen me sobbing the first week!
grapefruit / 4049 posts
Wearing shells between feedings helped me too. They help keep your nipples open to air so that they heal faster. I had a lot of trouble with my first baby and a few obstacles with my 2nd so I know how hard it is. I remember dreading a feeding because of the pain. If it gets really bad, see your OB. Mine gave me topical antibiotic ointment for the cracked nipples and it helped. Good luck!
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
I'm so sorry you are in so much pain. I had the same issue as soon as I left the hospital. I ended up having to pump the soar side for a few days to let everything heal before letting we latch again. You will make it through this and it gets so much easier!
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
Thanks ladies! I have been really stressed (was over 41 weeks , induced, long labor, emergency C-section, anesthesia issues and one really mean postpartum nurse-haha) and I'm sure that is a factor in my delayed milk. I'm still in a ton of pain and bloated! I was 163 before delivering my 8 lb LO and I am 159 today...4 days later.
Follow up appointment tomorrow with OB and lactation nurse. I ordered some shields today! 
pear / 1639 posts
A shield should help. Also, when I had bleeding cracked nipples, I was told to seep black tea bags and then put them on your nipples. It really helps sooth them, and there is something in the black tea that almost "numbs" them.
pomegranate / 3503 posts
Hang in there. I had the same experience the first few days before my milk came in. Hope your milk comes in soon. They say it takes a couple weeks for the soreness to go away and that was the case for me. The pain miraculously went away at the 2 week mark.
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