Breast feeding help.

[3boys2017]

Hi,

Does anyone have any advice as it's the weekend and I can not get through to any helplines.

My baby's 3 days old and my nipples are broken and bleeding creating amense pain when feeding. My son won't seem to latch on deep either which is making worse. Watched all the YouTube videos. Tried to copy every way but still sitting with tears as he's doing it. Any advice as not sure I can even carry on today

[roxannacar]

Sometimes you need to have a break. You can try expressing if you're finding you're nipples are too sore for baby.

You can try nipple shields but this can be tricky if baby isn't latching on well. Also I found the lanolin nipple cream (purple tube) was v good... It's pricey but lasted me a long time... Still have it actually as only used it at beginning when things were cracked and then things improved a lot of that

[Hidden]

hi.

it might sound silly, but if you are not leaving house, try to roam around without bra. Just a t-shirt. It will help your nipples heal. Also, have you tried to feed your baby while lying in bed on your side? And, if your baby boy is not latching on properly, put your finger in his mouth and got your nipple out, don't just pull it will make it worse. And try again, make sure he opens his mouth wide.

and don't let him sleep off and keep feeding. He is not actually getting any milk, just comforting himself.

if this doesn't work, call your midwife, health visitor or maternity unit in the hospital. There are nurses who can help you.

don't give up, and good luck.

[Lidz17]

I feel your pain been there before and it's so hard! I got nipple shells from avent you wore them in between feeding and it meant your skin was not sticking to bra and then making it worse everytime you went to feed by pulling more skin which was already cracked and bleeding! Plenty of lanolin and try the nipple shields too. Try compressing your breast into like a sandwhich and put as much into babies mouth as possible so they get a deeper latch. Was baby checked for tongue tie? Look up your local breast feeding peer support volunteer I contacted mine many a weekend and she was amazing! I really hope it gets better for you! Take a break if you can get some rest and a cupa 😃

[Hutch0151 in reply to Lidz17]

I am currently bf my 12 week old and know your pain. I promise it gets easier! The above advice, in particular purchasing the avent shells were a turning point for me as it stopped the rubbing and allowed the cracks to heal. Allow your nipples to air dry whenever possible and then a pinch (warm between finger and thumb then apply) of lanisoh. I found that on one side I had to push more nipple into the baby's mouth to get a better latch, the roof of the mouth is softer further in. When baby is feeding look by the ear if a good latch and baby is actually feeding not soothing it looks like the jaw is 'chewing'. If not a good latch and you still experience pain after the initial latch pop a finger in the baby's mouth and get him to latch again, otherwise the nipple will continue to crack as it is being rubbed against hard part of your baby's mouth. Good luck x

[Thingandgeorge]

If you feel you can't carry on, get some formula milk for your baby. Let your nipples recover and maybe try again in a few days.

Your baby needs feeding and your nipples need to heal! Try lanolin gel on nipple - ask the pharmacist which one (you can breast feed with it on).

You may want to express some milk everyday so you don't stop producing milk.

Maybe consider an electric breast pump and feed your baby breast milk via a bottle?

[misswinky34]

Hi I agree with thing, your munchkin will just get more frustrated and difficult to feed if he's over hungry. You could express, and cup feed, or if you have a pump do it Into a bottle. Or just get a formula carton ready mixed just to ride him over. Thing is right, your nipples need to heal, if they are that sore and cracked, it may be the latch just isn't deep enough, my son im breastfeeding now is my 3rd, and my nipple was as wide as his whole mouth until he was a couple of weeks old. They cracked and bled and I needed a day off.

I took it as a personal attack when my Husband​ suggested formula. In the end I went to mothercare and spent 100 pounds on a breastpump with a large shield and expressed into a bottle. My nipples werent squashed and it I didn't dread the latch it just bought me enough time to make it heal. Rule of thumb for me, let the baby latch, count to 10, if the latch still hurts, your baby finger in, nipple out. Take a deep breath, and start again. You don't have to stop breastfeeding sweetheart. Your In the thick of it, and it's tough. I found with my son, once he had the latch I pulled him in closer so more breast was in his mouth. Sounds like your nipple is staying in the front of the mouth rather than towards the back. If it's a bad latch it will be agony for you and your baby might not be getting full. Another lady suggested making the breast flatter Like a sandwich, this is a good idea provided your not too engorged to latch properly. That happened to me too and I had to express some just be make a latch possible.

Your both getting to know eachother an d feeding will be erratic, as long as your getting wet nappies, your baby is getting enough. Has your milk fully come in? It was day 3 for me and I think he was sucking so hard before that because it wasn't in fully.

Don't beat yourself up about it petal. One or two formula feeds or expresses milk will make no difference to his reflexes and when your healed you will still be able to feed. Just make sure your still stimulating the nipples as much as you can stand so your supply stays in Tact.

Your doing well, get a breastfeeding support worker to come and help you, or get your midwife to help.you might be at your wits end right now but there's people out there to help.

Good luck 🍀❤

[Bluekapow]

Don't be sad - many people have issues with breastfeeding. Formula is always available and you shouldn't feel like a failure reaching for it while you give yourself some time to heal. x

[3boys2017]

Thankyou everyone,

Iv had a 24 hour break and done the formular milk. I'm going to attend a breast feeding cafe tomorrow, I have tried again a few times today but still sore. Not as bad but uncomfy, not sure if maybe because still not heeled, but he's making them bleed again so he's definitely not latching properly, he shuts he's mouth so quickly tho. Even does with the bottle. As soon as he feels it touch he's lips he shuts and sucks. Can't get the bottle or the nipple in enough before he clamps down. Hopefully tomorrow someone will be able to help more.

Marie x

[roxannacar in reply to 3boys2017]

From your side of you want to continue breastfeeding I would try expressing as it will keep your milk supply going.

[hvellanki]

Use Lansinoh nipple cream while you are trying for other alternatives..

[misswinky34]

Hi love how are you getting on? X