In the last few days, my nipples have been really painful during the first 5 minutes or some of nursing. I really dont know whats causing this. To make matters worse my 4.5 month old has started a really painful unlatch thing where she pulls my nipple with her mouth and stretches it like a piece of gum while twisting her head. The pain is so intense in the 1st few minutes or nursing that it made me wonder if I have some type of an infection but then it goes away after a few minutes. Has anyone been through this?
-
I haven't had the pain you're describing, but I've noticed breastfeeding has gone from painless to having discomfort sometimes. I think it's due to my LO doing the exact same thing yours is.. the pulling at the nipple.
Mine has been grunting and pulling at the breast much like she did during some earlier growth spurts. I think for me she's too impatient for my let down because once it happens she settles. I've been taking some steps to increase my supply (it dipped after AFs return) and its been getting better although late in the day when my supply is a little lacking, I still notice the same fussing.
-
I'm experiencing the exact same thing right now...only I think I may have mastitis and was going to call my midwife today--I think LO doing that nipple stretching caused some cracking. I woke up this morning feeling like my breast was on fire!
-
Its really frustrating when you think you have gotten through the hard part only to experience more problems!
@LAGS: my baby is also impatient because she sucks REALLY hard in the beginning, and she doesnt really need to because I have an oversupply and very forceful let down.
@mrsjazz: Ouch, I hope it isnt mastitis! Fingers crossed for you that it clears up asap -
Have you checked to see if you have a milk blister? It's typically a small white spot on the nipple. Those things hurt like $%@! for a couple minutes and then it's usually OK.
My other thought is potentially the first stages of teething. Even if you aren't seeing anything yet, that can change a previously good latch, causing nipple trauma along with it.
-
@Mrsbells: mine was doing the pulling too and I'm not sure why...maybe he wants more? Maybe just exploring? Mine has stopped but I don't have advice about why he stopped. But I would say if he's doing something painful you have the right to say no, and take baby off.
Edit: and to comment on what others are saying, I did have 3 incidents of clogged milk ducts, which may or may not have been caused by what he did, or caused him to act that way. Again, more mysteries.
-
It could be teething. I swear everyte his teeth moved we had relearn our latch. Even now at 16 months old.
-
I forgot to say that you may want to try out the gel pads if you haven't already. They help heal nipples a lot faster than Lanolin.
-
M has done this in the past day or two, as well. I like your description, it's exactly what she is doing. She does it until I have my letdown and then does it about 5 minutes in when things slow down. I'm hoping it's just a phase...
-
Thanks everyone. I will inspect my nipples and see there is a blister. I dont think I have any blisters though. I just cant wait for this to get better.
@Mrs. Yoyo: I havent tried gel pads, can i wear those all day? Or just at night
-
@Mrsbells: you can wear them for both!
-
@brownie: @Mrsbells: I second the teething thing. My LO's first tooth cut through her gums yesterday. It's amazing because on Sunday I felt her gums and there was no sharpness--but on Monday, ouch that little tooth is sharp! Now I know why she's been cranky and latching weird. I was so not ready for teeth!
-
It could definitely be teething or just sensitivity with the wonderful niplash baby has been giving you from getting distracted & seeing everything around her.
I'd also check her mouth and make sure there isn't any thrush b/c it can cause those pains during the initial latch and then go away, until it gets worse and you can actually get it in your ducts where you get shooting pains even when not nursing.
It may be nothing but I'd still definitely check & you can even use lotrimin on your nipples between feeding if you do suspect thrush (wipe off before nursing)... Lanolin can promote yeast so I wouldn't go crazy with it, breastmilk on your nipples & air drying is still the best way to heal any abrasions. =)
DD is just fixing to cut her first tooth (it should break through any day now) and I'm SO not looking forward to nursing with it..... Yes, I was hoping that maybe I'd get lucky and she'd be a late teether. lol
-
@runsyellowlites: Haha love that you call it "niplash" will be using that term from now on. I will inspect her mouth and check for thrush... and will look up the lotrimin you suggested.
Wow I wasnt aware that Lanolin promotes yeast -
@mrsbells... I was going to suggest thrush too. When my DS was only a few weeks old he got a yeast-y diaper rash and his pediatrician said to look out for it transmitting to me because of breastfeeding, which did happen. It was really painful in the first few minutes of nursing like you said. My DS never actually got thrush in his mouth though. I had talked to a lactation consultant and they recommended using a mixture of 1 tbsp distilled white vinegar to 1 cup of water and to apply it to my nipples after nursing. This seemed to help and I was also able to use my son's diaper rash prescription, nystatin ointment, on my nipples as well.
I hope it gets better! I can relate to all of that pain!
-
@Mrs. Yoyo: thanks I will order some of those
-
@creativemomma15: Thanks! How long before it cleared up?
-
@mrsbells: I think the pain started getting to be less within 2 days and within 5 days I was feeling completely back to normal.
-
@creativemomma15: Ok thanks I will give that a try
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite1
18 comments