Please say yes, please say yes, please say yes.
For me, breastfeeding hurts. A lot. I have super sensitive nipples and started off with a shield. It still hurts with the shield but I've been trying to wean from it. Sometimes it hurts so bad I cry.
We have only been doing this for 13 days now. Please tell me it gets easier. Or, do you moms have any advice?
hostess / wonderful watermelon / 39513 posts
It does! But it might take some time...it took me about 3 months to actually enjoy nursing and not dread feeding time!
squash / 13199 posts
Yes it does... I was mainly pumping in the beginning because my baby wasnt latching on right and it was PAINFUL, but now she is two months old and breastfeeding is so much easier. Lansinoh lanolin helped me with sore nipples
hostess / wonderful grape / 20803 posts
The pain definitely gets better! I had super sore nips and a blistered nipple after a week.
I've had a lot of issues though and overall BF has not gotten any easier even though LO is over 5 weeks (see my other post on this....)
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
I was mostly pumping in the beginning too. It took 3 months for us to really have it down... And I never even had any pain!
It does get much much easier. I'm even nursing right now (tmi)! Setting mini goals might help. Try to make it to 1 month. Then 3. Then 6. It will help you feel a sense of accomplishment at each milestone.
I never thought that I'd be in a position where I actually wanted to nurse beyond a year. I know it's hard right now, but once you get past this stage, it will even become fun and enjoyable if you can believe it!
Good luck! We're all rooting for you!
pineapple / 12234 posts
It does! It still hurts me with the shield as well but at least my blisters have healed because of it. I'm having a lactation consultant come over again to help me. With LO #1, it took until 3 months for feedings to feel natural, not painful and easy.
It's a lot easier in the long run to breastfeed than to pump and formula is expensive so that's what I try to keep in mind while getting through the first 10-12 weeks of breastfeeding.
It's rough though! I'm with you on the pain and I have definitely cried/breathed through the pain!
hostess / wonderful honeydew / 32460 posts
It does! Hang in there, and pump if your boobies need a break! You're doing a great job 
GOLD / pear / 1845 posts
yes yes yes! It totally sucks at the beginning, but then they learn and you learn and they get better neck strength (I have decided this is key). I was on pain killers for 6 weeks in order to nurse TG and I nursed her happily to 17 months! An advil a bit before you start makes a big difference, and while not ideal, is better than crying in my opinion.
grapefruit / 4110 posts
It will get worse before it gets better but it does get better. There were days I just cries but I would pump one side and nurse the other. I also believe that we had to learn latch again after every tooth.
pomegranate / 3053 posts
Yes, it does get better. I nursed my first for 8 months (he's 3 now) and am going on 3 months with my second right now. Have you tried nipple cream? I used Lansinoh's nipple cream and Motherlove's nipple cream and I found that Lansinoh's worked better. Put it on right before and right after you nurse each time. It's safe for baby to eat. I think I used it longer with my first and I stopped using the cream probably a month or so with my second. And I never had cracked or bleeding nipples with both boys. Just be diligent about putting them on before and after you nurse. Your nipples will slowly adjust once you get into a nursing routine. My LO pretty much eats every 2 - 3 hours during the day time and 4-6 a night. Oh, and your baby's saliva also acts like a "cream" as well. Not sure how that works but I read it somewhere.
There could be other reasons why it hurts - bad latch or washing your nipples with soap (drying). I just let the soap run down my nipples while showering. I'm sure there are other reasons but I can't think of one right now.
But bottom line, it does get better! Hang in there!
cantaloupe / 6146 posts
@mediagirl: It does not get better if you keep doing the same thing--I let it get worse and worse and finally went to the lactation consultant. It got worlds better. It's still not great, but it's better with practice, changing position, and consulting the experts (making sure you get a nice deep latch).
For me, the gel soothies and nipple cream didn't help at all.
(...but I've only been doing this for 33 days, so the above ladies may be right, it may get better after this month.)
GOLD / papaya / 10166 posts
It does! I had to use shields for 3 weeks and only nurse one side at a time to allow my nipples some time to heal between each nursing session. I also put some milk on the nipple after each feeding and used lanolin. I had to talk to a lactation consultant 3 times before I got everything worked out. Now, nursing is a breeze!
Hang in there but also know that it's ok if you do give it up. Do what is best for you.
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
Thanks for the pep talks. The other difficult part is dealing with those strong, flailing arms and legs! It's so frustrating to get that latch and then you get ripped out of her mouth. Ugh! If you can't tell, we're having a rough night.
@erwoo: I don't and haven't had cracked or bleeding nipples. Not yet, at least. I am using lanisoh after. I thought you had to wipe it off before feeding?
@brownie: ahh! Teeth! They just started hurting thinking about teeth.
@Mrs. Superhero: good call on pain pills. I'll try that tonight, see if it helps. I'll do anything at this point. I can see how better neck control would help. I'll look forward to those days!
@chopsuey119: @HeatherlovesKenny: @autumnlove: thanks for the encouragement.
@Mrs. Bee: I think I'm going to break open my pump either tomorrow or Monday. I think knowing I have an option of someone else feeding her or being able to feed her and not have fear of pain might help my mental state about it all.
I really want to make this work. I am not a quitter. 
I do plan on calling the lc to see what suggestions they have. I also have one outpatient visit to use with them, as well. I think it's time to go to the experts to make sure the latch is good and I'm doing everything else right.
blogger / watermelon / 14218 posts
It definitely gets better... I remember many nursing sessions when I cried through the entire thing. I definitely recommend calling in a lactation consultant!! I so wish I had... would have really saved me so much misery.
admin / watermelon / 14210 posts
the lactation consultant was really helpful. i called one when charlie was 1 month old. you should definitely call one to come to your home!
and yes break out that pump! there's no reason you can't feed a bottle yourself either!
cantaloupe / 6751 posts
Hang in there!! It really does get easier... I was totally miserable and in pain until about 6 weeks. Seeing an LC is a great idea; I must have gone into their office at least once a week and they were totally awesome in helping me out with all my issues and were super encouraging.
persimmon / 1472 posts
It does get better! For us it took about 3 weeks before I stopped having to grit my teeth and curl my toes during the latch / initial 5 minutes. I cried a lot too during the first few weeks cause of thr pain and the frequent feedings made it worst. I'd you can, try to offer one side at a time to allow the other more time to heal in between sessions and use lots of lanolin. I put on a ton after I let my nipples air dry after each session. Hang in there!
pear / 1554 posts
It gets sooo much better. The first 1-2 months, my nipples were in so much pain. I dreaded feeding time. I'd have a cringe on my face the whole time she was feeding. Eventually, the pain went away and now I really enjoy my time with baby when we're feeding. I think I'll really miss our feeding sessions when we stop.
blogger / pineapple / 12381 posts
It took me 6 weeks before I stopped hating the beginning of every single feed. It gets better. At WB I started a thread called "Breastfeeding is hard!" I should find it and import my post here
cherry / 237 posts
Weeks 2-6 were the worst for me. My son is a cluster feeder, too, so it felt like my nips never got a break. I went through TONS of lanolin and tears and feeling terrified that it would never get better, but now (3.5 months!) it's so much better, even awesome some days. I even figured out how to nurse while walking around last weekend! Big hugs to you, and definitely use that LC visit!
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
I love how it's all what she wants. If she wants to eat every hour, she gets to, no matter how bad my boobs hurt. If she wants to sleep for 3 and a half hours, my boobs get a break from feeding but start hurting from lack of use! Gah! Breastfeeding IS hard.
Pump parts have been washed. I'll be trying out pumping tomorrow. We'll see how this goes...
bananas / 9118 posts
Yes, it definitely gets better! I used the shield for around 3 weeks, it was a real lifesaver.
I woke up this morning and realized that I am loving breastfeeding finally (5 months later). It took around 60 days to not hate it, after that it was good, now it is great. Hang in there
pear / 1946 posts
Just be careful with pumping. I was really sore and hating BFing the first couple weeks and started pumping but then had over supply issues and overactive letdown, which was another frustration. The pain decreased for me around week 3 and after seeing the LC but returned now due to thrush. Ugh! It's definitely been an adjustment coming to terms with her being attached to me all day. Good luck!
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