Breastfeeding help!

Looking for some tips- my baby is 10 weeks and I exclusively breastfeed him. One nipple is smaller than the other. The bigger one is causing a lot of pain when he starts to suck on it, tears from him and me. I tried a nipple shield this morning which resulted in a bleeding nipple and tears. It helps when I use a hot towel right before I feed him and lay down to feed him. Does anyone have any tips? Crandle hold causes a lot of pinching. Laying down is difficult as I can’t seem to get both of us comfortable. I have tried sitting him on two cushions and feeding him but I find myself bending over, which results in my back hurting. Any advice would be helpful x

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Are you sure he is latching in correctly? Like he has more than just the nipple in his mouth?

I’m sorry you’re dealing with this. Meet with a lactation consultant asap. I loved the breastfeeding pillow called my breast friend. It’s really secure on you and can hold baby. When I did the laying down position I had to put a pillow behind me and one behind baby to keep us aligned just right. For nipple pain you can try silverware’s, putting breast milk on it, or lanolin. Also I’ve heard some moms use an epsom soak in shot glass as well.

The nipple covers are called “silverettes”

Sounds like his latch isn’t deep enough. Your nipple size shouldn’t matter and nipple shields should definitely help but if it’s already painful you need to get some cream on it to heal the nipples before trying shields but I’m all honesty you’re better off getting some 1 to 1 breastfeeding support, your local maternity unit should have contact details for this service x

Have you tried rugby ball hold? It sounds like he’s not getting a deep latch if it’s painful. Have you had him checked for anterior or posterior tongue tie? Best advice would be to see a lactation consultant but they can be expensive. Do you have blisters or anything currently? Silver nipple cups are good to help heal nipples between feeds if so. Follow Olivia lactation consultant and others on Instagram and check out all their advice with latching.

Thank you everyone. To me it seems like he has a good latch. He did have tongue tie when born which caused latch issues but we got that snipped. Lately he is backing making a clicking sound after feeds when he is being winded, which I wonder is if the tongue tie came back as I know they can grow back. I have tried the rugby ball hold, cradle, and me laying down beside him. I have blisters now and again on that nipple, the health nurse said they are milk blebs Thanks everyone

I can’t tell you whether this is advised or not but when I got blisters, I actually found it less painful to pierce them and then feed. Feeding with blisters was toe curling pain! I also just remembered that second to silver nipple cups for healing, my lactation consultation said Jelonet is better than lanolin. As an alternative, you could move to feeding from one boob, you might get a little lopsided as your milk adjusts but if it’s too painful to feed from, they will do fine from one boob.

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