Breast Feeding & Sore Nipples- Advice?

seate74

My baby has just turned one, so your post bought back my memories of those first few weeks. I breast fed my son for eight months with the aid of nipple shields and expressing. I never suffered with sore nipples but I found it impossible to get him latched on. Despite a normal delivery I ended up staying in hospital for four days trying to get the hang of feeding him. At the time it felt like I had been man/woman handled by every member of staff in the hospital. My husband was quietly told by the so called breastfeeding expert that I had very small fair nipples. What that has to do with it I'll never know. Only when I got home did my lovely but slightly dotty midwife order my husband to the nearest chemist to buy some nipple shield. We never looked back. I used shields for the whole time I breast fed and also expressed milk so that daddy could take over. My midwife also suggested having a couple of cartons of ready made formula in the house just to take the pressure of. In the back of my mind I always knew my baby wouldn't starve as I had the formula as a back up. And you know we never did use it. It was so satisfying to see my baby's little growth chart as he got heavier and heavier. Knowing that I was able to give him every thing he needed one way or the other.

I hope mother and baby and daddy are well. Good luck.

jo_b_2

I never suffered with sore nipples but I found it impossible to get him latched on. Despite a normal delivery I ended up staying in hospital for four days trying to get the hang of feeding him. At the time it felt like I had been man/woman handled by every member of staff in the hospital.

I had exactly the same experience as you when my son was born. I felt such a failure because I couldn't get to grips with this thing that was supposed to be so 'natural'.

Ended up breastfeeding for 10 months and my little boy will be two on Saturday!

Breastfeeding can be a lovely experience for both Mum and baby, but please don't place too much pressure on yourself. It isn't the best thing for every Mum and you need to take of yourself as a person, as well as looking after your new baby.

Jay-Jay_4

Sooooooo pleased that your wonderful wife has persevered!!!! I found breast feeding a doddle with my first but my second was a nightmare. I was so down, I cried for days. I sat with my nipples dripping blood and couldn't bear her waking up for a feed, I dreaded it and completely resented her for putting me through all the pain .

I got through those first days and weeks from feed to feed thinking "I'll just get through this one"! I found my breast pump was a godsend, I expressed once a day and can't tell you the relief of giving her that bottle .

She didn't latch on well even though I knew what I was doing ( I fed my first for 17 months) Eventually I was diagnosed with thrush deep in my milk ducts but it took 5 months of pain, tears and distress!

I'm now feeding a happy, healthy 7 month old and it's just so easy peasy that I can't tell you enough the reward that you get from watching your baby feed from your breast.

Please remember when your feeling down that your baby loves the feel, smell and taste of you and that or her, breastfeding is bliss.

Hope everything goes well. I've pm d you!

FranDan

So glad to hear that your wife has managed to perserve through the discomfort. I think if your determind you can get through it.

Definately more rewarding than standing washing, sterilizing and making up bottles!!

;D

16011996

and much better for baby too.

FranDan

and btw, my little girl is now 8wks. People keep asking if I'm tired etc.... and I can honestly answer 'no' cause when she wakes at night, I lie her next to me, pop her on and we are both back to sleep in no time!

16011996

gadget freak, let us know how you're getting on ok. had another thought, i always found it easier on my side to get baby latched properly, don't know if that'll help.

Angelolly

Some more motivation for a truly wonderful woman who is not only giving her baby the VERY best nutritional start in life, but is persevering even though it is agony!!

1. Remember the health benefits to your baby - she will be far less likely to develop asthma, ear infections, coughs, colds and many other ailments. Her jaw development will be superior to that of an artificially (and it is artificial to give a baby sweetened cow's milk) fed infant which will give her a head start when shes starts to chatter. Breast fed babies are more secure as children. There is even evidence to suggest that breast fed babies are more intelligent.

2. Also remember the health benefits to your wife - her uterus will contract to pre-pregnancy size much faster, she is far less likely to develop brittle bone disease and heart disease in later life and the endorphins released when Asha is feeding will help her stay on an even keel.

3. It's free!!! Formula feeding your baby can cost you HUNDREDS of pounds a year! You could put that money away for Asha!

Another really important thing to mention is the growth curve in the baby's red book. This growth curve is based on the average formula fed baby's growth and there is very little chance that Asha will manage to meet it. In fact, whichever centile she is on now, expect her to drop off it around 3 months. Many women beleive (or are even told by so called health professionals!) that this means their milk is no longer enough for the child and that they should either introduce formula or solids - THIS IS UTTER RUBBISH!! I can't emphasise this enough. The Child Growth Foundation are currently lobbying the government to change the growth curves from the current formula fed one to their 'Breast from Birth' curve which is based on the average breast fed baby's growth. If this happens (and I hope it does) then not only would breastfeeding mothers be reassured that they are managing to nourish their infant, but also perhaps bottle feeding mothers might become more aware of the obesity they are setting their child up for in as they would see their baby's growth is far above that of a breast fed baby's. Contrary to popular belief, fat babies are not healthy!

Finally, I am sending you my warmest wishes and congratulations. Breastfeeding women are a special breed and deserve every accolade. In fact, in France, breastfeeders get extra child benefit in recognition of the money they will potentially save the French healthcare system!!! We've a long way to go.

Finally finally, sore nipples are hell. This much I know - when my son was 3 days old, he turned his head to one side in his cot and threw up blood! My blood! From my bleeding nipples! It's enough to make you pass out! I too dreaded every feed, couldn't even bear water from the shower to touch them and thought I would never recover. Of course, you do...
The only thing I can suggest in supplement to all the other replies is to try those plastic 'breast nurse' shields you can get from Mothercare. They can be chilled in the fridge and did provide me with some relief.

Finally, finally, finally (God I'm a windbag!), get your health visitor to get you a Breast from Birth curve. Don't be fobbed off. Visit an NCT bumps and babies drop in - they are FAB and you will meet other mums in the same boat. Phone the helplines! I pay a £26 a year membership donation to the NCT to help fund services like the helpline so please take advantage of it!

Good Luck
Best wishes
Angela

pinky8

Congratulations !!!

I am still b/f my little girl who is 14 months. When I started b/f my nipples also became very sore, My sister gave me the best advice she said to use "Kamilosan". It is also a nipple cream but it worked wonders. You can buy it in boots or mothercare, I believe it is £4.95 approx and it lasts ages I still have half left!!!

When my daughter was 2 days old my nipple was so sore it had blistered, I felt like giving up but i perservered, used a nipple shield for a day or so and kamilosan and it healed really quickly.

I hope this has been of some help :-)

Congratulations again :-)

Good Luck :-)

xxx

FranDan

Many have suggested Lansinoh cream, I personally hadn't tried it until I found some in the Boots sale for £4.25 yesterday. Haven't really got a problem, but I thought a bit of pampering would be nice all the same!