Breastfeeding help!

You should have her checked for a lip or tongue tie. Breastfeeding shouldn’t hurt and I’m surprised she didn’t check. Find a dentist that knows what to look for they usually are the ones to fix it.

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The doctor checked her mouth, but not sure if that was why. I take her to the doctor on Friday so I’ll have her check!

My cousin suffered for two weeks until she got her sons tie released. She cried every time she nursed him. So I can only imagine what your going through!

This might mess up her latch, but maybe try using a shield? Not sure if that would help just until your nipples heal or still make them sore.

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I was thinking about trying this! Might grab one tomorrow and try it out

I used a shield for about a week after my baby was born purely because my nipples had never been used for breastfeeding before. I noticed about a month ago that they just aren’t as sensitive anymore. I used to shower with my hands over them since the water pressure was too strong lol, but now I don’t! It’ll take some time getting used to it again if there’s no other latching or tongue/lip tie issues.

You can put the breast milk on your nipples if you have any stored and it should help to heal them.

You are doing an amazing job!! I cried every time my baby latched for the first 2 weeks, so I understand what you are going through. After 2 weeks the pain went away. What helped with the cracks was breastfeeding on one side at each feeding instead of both sides. That kept me going. Hope it helps!❤️

After over a week of hit and miss good latching leading to developing cracked and sore nipples, many tears and moments of toe curling pain, my fiancé found this video and it as helped us immensely. Don’t suffer like I did 💕 https://youtu.be/OUqRVSeBpY8 For healing use lanolin on your nips after feedings, wear a bra as little as possible, and also try to leave a little breast milk on your nips. To help mine heal faster I’m having my baby feed on the side that is less damaged for a day at a time while I pump the other side. It’s been 2 days and I’m almost healed on one side :)

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Thank you so much!! I will try this!

Aww so cute!!!!

Try airing your boobs out cause your nips have to get hard for it not to hurt at least what my mother in law told me lol

I agree with the breastmilk on the nipple, really helps. Try not to let the skin get dried out (even if you have to squirt a little out yourself to smear around) I also found that breast pads helped because they were sensitive to everything that touched them. Good for you for trying to stick with it through the pain! Way to go mama!

The first two weeks were the most painful breastfeeding! My son used me as a pacifier for a while and it caused my nips to crack so badly. The only thing that helped was rubbing breastmilk on them and putting the nipple butter after every feed.

I would highly recommend using a nipple shield! My son had issues latching because of a lip tie and I suffered so much! For the first couple of weeks I cried and my nipples were raw and in so much pain. A lactation consultant suggested a shield and we used one for almost 3 months until one day we stopped and he nursed like a champ and we have been going strong ever since. He’s been exclusively breastfed for a year now. Try to air them out! I found the moisture of a bra or breast pad made the healing slow down. Good luck!

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Agreed!! I also found breast pads to be useless. I don’t really leak. But- We used a shield for the first 6 weeks because my son had a weak latch, one day I decided to try weaning him. Took about 2 weeks for us to wean and now we are going SO strong!! Make sure you get the correct size, try a few sizes out, and get more than one! I somehow lost like 3 😂 Another tip is keeping pacifier wipes on you when your out and about for quick cleaning 😊

Hey! I’m a mom of three and nursed all my kids until they’re two (currently nursing). Those first two weeks are rough, tbh the first month is hard but I loved putting breastmilk on my nipples! Especially because it has some healing properties to it. I liked lanolin but I wanted to be as natural as possible so breast milk was the route I took. It really helped me and I put it on after each nursing session. It was also cooling to put on lol. I promise it gets better with time! Don’t give up! Some other alternatives are coconut oil, honest co. Nipple balm, earth mama nipple butter (this stuff is great!) and you can try this recipe by this bad ass mom: https://www.mamanatural.com/sore-nipples-remedy/

There is a breastfeeding page on facebook that can answer any and all questions you have as well as provide support. Your breastfeeding journey is going to be hard in the beginning but so worth it! Dont give up. The facebook page is called milky mommas

Sorry you’re in pain! I had cracked bloody nipples for about two to three weeks. I would just cringe when he would latch on and after a minute or two the pain would subside. I just dealt with it:/ I tried mama natural nipple butter but he hated it and wouldn’t eat. Lots of hot showers, that’s what would help the pain. It gets easier :) also those gel nipple pads- you can wear them between feedings. Good luck!

Mine were so painful for the first few weeks no matter what I did. The lactation consultant I saw also said the latch was good. Try using cool and warm compresses. That really helped me. I used a combination of lanolin and warm breastmilk to heal my nipples. When taking a shower, I covered my breast with washcloths so the shower head wouldn’t cause pain to my already painful nips. Hope it gets better for you soon!

Has baby been checked for ties? There’s a lot of fb groups (I’m part of) that has people who can help? Feel free to message me if you’d like the names

I had some of the same issues!! Put some kind of nipple cream on before and after and use a nipple shield. It helped me immensely!! This is the nipple cream I ended up using: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015HTI3UC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_8d1qCbKFX1ZE4

Call your OB and ask for APNO (all purpose nipple ointment) cream. It is a prescription and heals everything quickly. It’s a Godsend! I’d also see another LC if it doesn’t get better. I went through the same thing. First LC said he had a good latch and then I saw someone else and determined he was tongue and lip tied. Getting them fixed helped.

I know your pain!! Time and lanolin... my best and tried and true advice.

Lanolin. Cool and warm compress. Heating pad also works. Coconut oil is the best so keep applying that as much as possible. Keep going mama! It’s gets easier 🙂

Stick with it- it’ll get better!! I loved the honest co. Nipple balm. I never had serious problems but it worked well for me. Best of luck!

I had the same issue and the LC suggested a nipple shield....it gave me time to heal and go back to breastfeeding my son. Hang in there!

I did crack but my son like clamped onto me really bad every time and almost made my nipples split. Epsom salt soak!! Lanolin until it heals. Make sure you use one like linsinoh I've heard some can have pesticides. Use a bowl deep enough to fit your boobs or do one at a time. Warm water let the salt disolve and soak for like 5-10 mins. Don't use too much salt. It'll burn but I used a good like 5 second poor lol. Do it pretty frequently until you notice yourself healing. Also my lactation consultant told me it was fine to pump and take a bit of a break. I ended up pumping at night to give myself some time to heal. It helped

Same for me for the first 2 weeks. I saw so many lactation consultants and my nipples were cracked and bleeding too. At one point, my daughter was drinking some blood while nursing. Eventually it went away. But some gel pads and put them on after nursing. My lactation consultant said not to put coconut oil or lanolin on because the moisture prevents healing

It sounds like a latch issue, try a different hold, if you cradle, try tummy to tummy with you reclined back. Nipple shields correct latch issues for the most part, help the baby to open wider.

You need help right this minute, PLEASE, go down to the nurturing nest, let rhem know your problem. There is LBCLC consultant's that work there, and resources to get sameday see someone now

I second the suggestion to change holds. I had this same problem with my third baby the first two weeks or so even though I never had this kind of pain with my first two kids. My nipples were cracked and it hurt so much I cried when she'd latch. I finally decided I had to change from a cradle hold to the tummy to tummy laid back hold as suggested. It basically allowed my nipple to not be compressed in the same direction again and again and that crack was able to heal up. I think it really was just how small her mouth was and even though the latch looked good, my nipple was being flattened in the one direction. After a week or so of that changed position, my nipples were all healed up and i was able to go back to the more familiar cradle hold without pain. She's 7 weeks now and there's no more pain.

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Just tried a different position and felt a lot better!!

Great news!

They make amazing cooling gel pads that can help. Lanolin worked better than coconut oil for me.

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Yes! I came to suggest the soothies gel pads. Put them in the fridge.

I always had success with Lansinoh lanolin cream after EVERY feeding or pumping. If not then pain.

A nurse at the hospital told me to leave a little breastmilk on them, let them air dry, then put coconut oil on. And if they got worse, nipple butter or chapstick if you’re desperate in the moment. The milk/air/oil routine worked wonders for me. It was still painful though. My little dude was so pinchy at first, I just suffered through it until his mouth got bigger after a couple weeks and he could latch better.

I was like that at first. It is painful and uncomfortable, it frustrated me but I didn't stop. After 2-3mos it will get better. Just dont stop bf. Baby is new to it, still adjusting, you as well. It will get better. Hang in there. 😊

It hurt for me too 😞 but in 2 weeks I was numb! So it won’t last! But I suggest putting heat on your breasts before feeds 💖💖💖

Hey mama! My little girl will be two weeks old this Wednesday and is my third baby that I’ve breastfed. It has been way more painful this time around but I think I can help you! I was in a similar boat- cracked and sore nipples, engorged and I was even bleeding with some scabs. Lanolin in the past was not my friend. It was too sticky for me and made me stick to my breast pads. I use the Earth Mama nipple butter and it helped so much! I’m finally breastfeeding without so much discomfort and my nipples are finally healing. Change your pads daily even if you aren’t leaking, cleanse your nipples with a mild soap every day and pat dry. Warm compress on right before feeding to help milk flow easier and cold compress for a few min afterwards to help with inflammation. If you become engorged you can pump for a few min (no more than ten on each side because you don’t want to promote over supply which would lead to more enforcement and discomfort). Express some breast milk after each feeding and rub it on your nipple

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Since breast milk has healing qualities. Put nipple butter on before pumping to protect them. Also a new thing I started to try was the lansinoh brand Gel Soothie pads. I put them in the fridge for extra comfort. And they healed my worst nipple in one night. Place gel side on nipple and leave on. It’s reusablenfornup to 72 hours and was a life saver. Just cleanse your nipple before pumping or feeding. I hope some of this helps. Keep in touch with your Lactation consultants also.

I would say try to get as much as your nipple in her mouth as possible. Make sure she opens up wide and then gently but fast shove your nipple in so that she’s not just on the edge of it. My nipples healed in about 2 weeks doing that - and he ate every 30 minutes to an hour the first week. And he would eat for at least an hour-an hour and a half

I went through weeks of pain in the beginning as well and just toughed it through, was able to nurse for a year. I second the nipple shields. It was a true life saver. It gave some healing time in between.

Try another position and nipple shields til the cracks heal!

Make sure your little doesn’t have a posterior tongue tie and a lip tie. I had really badly cracked nipples with my son and everyone kept saying his latch was good, but when he would come off, my nipple would be white. We got him assessed by an pediatric dentist and had his tongue and lip tie lasered and breastfeeding improved immediately.

I was in pain for 3 months before getting my sons lip and tongue tie corrected. Join The Cleavage Club: Breastfeeding Support group on FB and post your question! That group saved my BF relationship. Hugs mama!

Has your little one been checked for tongue tie? Also try expressing a little of your breast milk and rubbing it on your nipples after each feed. It worked a dream for me!

Rub your breast milk on your nipples , breast milk helps with alot of things . I mean it wouldnt stop the pain but it will heal the cracks and then it will eventually lead to less pain ..

First couple of weeks were rough. She had a good latch luckily. Being my first, my nipples had never been consistently sucked on like they are now. And so they got raw and sore and while I would avoid nursing as much as possible on the raw side, it seemed like once one side healed the other would start hurting. I alternated using lanolin and Burt’s bees hand salve. The worst part for me was when she would start getting full shed pull away but stay latched so it felt like she was trying to rip my nipple off. The only thing I can suggest is patience and trying to go as long as possible in between feedings to allow your breasts extra time to heal. Wishing you the best in your journey.

The rugby hold I found to be the best ! Your doing amazin !

I nursed my first for 19 months, my second for 30 months and my third for 40 months. Lots of nursing ups and downs. Lots of pain between nursing newborns. Thrush. Mastitis. Engorgement. I loved lanolin but also using your own breast milk on your nipples might help heal and sooth. When it was at its worst (dry, cracked, bleeding and baby nursing every 30 min) I found putting baby in different holds and changing the position of babies mouth and the suction points helped a lot with the pain. I even put baby down on the bed and leaned over her so the breast milk could more easily flow and she didnt have to suck as hard. The nipples will toughen up and it wont hurt so much soon. In the meantime it's just figuring out ways to deal with the pain. Good luck.

I like the Earth Mama Angel baby nipple butter and usually feeling better after 2-3 weeks. Hang in there!

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I 2nd this! You don't have to wipe it off or clean your nipples before nursing

I found a nipple shield helped in this situation, recommended to a few friends and they had success with it too! It also did not stop her latching on to nipple once the pain has lessened. Medellin ones are what I used and came highly recommended!

Yes the nipple shield! It will give your nipples a break and let them heal a bit! Dont give up it will get better soon! :)

I think it took 2 weeks for my nipple cracking and bleeding to stop.

Express some milk and rub it into your nipple. Then coat with lanolin. My cracks went away in about a week and a half. They were pretty bad too. My girl was latching correctly but I wasn't producing very much so she was working hard to get anything. My milk didn't even come in until day 4. I started pumping as well as nursing her which helped my milk production and then since she didn't have to work as hard she wasn't destroying my nipples.

Hi. I had the same trouble with all three of my boys. I used a nipple shield(got it at Target). I just used it until the pain/cracked soreness went away. None of my boys had any trouble transitioning to feeding without it. Also, using Lansinoh Soothies gel pads between feedings was AMAZING!

I agree with the breast milk tip! It is a very soothing miracle worker. If you don't have pumped milk, Earth Mama had the best nipple balm I have seen. It's a tiny hat, but a little goes a long way. My hat isn't even a fourth gone. It's baby safe, and can even be a soothing lip balm for your baby. If you have larger breasts this might be hard, but look into hand expression techniques. If you prepare your breasts a little before latching, it would reduce frustration at the breast, which sometimes is a part of the pain felt there. It's hard without really knowing your little one, but if you think impatience for a let down might be a factor, it's worth a try.