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Yes it is so so so so painful for 2-3 weeks and then it gets
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

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.

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.

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.

Definitely see an LC. It's not supposed to hurt that much!

An LC can also do a laser treatment on you to heal the scabs.

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. =)

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!

@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!

It does take a little time to get use to it. I second the suggestion to use gel soothies.

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.

Stick with it, it will get better and you will be glad you did!

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.