Nipple Pain

[AmberG]

Ladies,

When does the nipple pain get better? I want to scream every time the babies latch on or when I start pumping.

I've been using Lansinoh cream.

Please tell me it will get better.

[maven]

Amber,

I am not using any certain cream, I am using breastmilk on the nips (let it air dry before getting dressed) after each pump/feeding. It seems to do a better job. I have about 4 or 5 different kinds of creams on my nightstand.

Are they latched on properly? or are they feeding on the nipple. If either of my duo are just on the nipple, I feel like I could scream! But if they are latched on properly, it isn't as bad. Maybe even try a nipple shield, that is what I am doing. Medela makes several sizes.

Your pump should not be painful. Mine is a little uncomfortable sometimes. Maybe your horns are the wrong size? or is your suction too high at the beginning of a pumping?

I hope you find some relief soon!

[Julie2002]

I had bleeding nipples within three days of DS' birth, and it is no fun. I have nipple pain this time around, but it's not nearly as bad (and DD has a great latch). My nipples are just really sensitive. I imagine feeding twins, your nips never get a break!

I HIGHLY recommend these -- http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...ductId=2403244 -- they allow your nipples to "air dry" constantly. Used with the cream, they've made all the difference in the world. I got them from a LC when I had DS, and they helped me heal within days. This time around, they've prevented my nips from bleeding or getting too raw.

Also....I don't like the Lanolish cream because I think it's too thick. The LC this time gave me a sample of this, and I LOVE it. http://www.toysrus.com/product/index...ductId=2908604 It's a lot softer and thinner, so it spreads on without hurting the nipple more. It's worth a try too.

HTH. I too am wondering when my nips will "toughen up" this time around. I think it was around the 4th or 6th week with DS.

[Shellg76]

Mine hurt for about the first week with the babies... then they don't hurt to latch anymore (lilly sometimes - but I call her vampire-ra)... :smile:

Make sure the entire areola is going in their mouth on latch, it will get better...

[Dawnttc]

Amber,

I PROMISE you that it DOES and WILL get better . . . if it didn't no one would ever nurse! I'm right there with you, my nipples are incredibly sore and this is my 3rd child that I have nursed.

6 weeks is truly the magic number (for some up to 8 weeks) but I PROMISE after that time period you will have PAIN FREE nursing. I know it's hard right now, but keep with it, YOU CAN DO IT!!

I also agree with the nipple SHELLS (NOT sheilds). I've never tried the soft ones but I've used the hard one's before and it works very well (but you'll look like Madonna in the 80's!).

Also, rub some of your milk into your nipples - it helps to heal it.

You can also wear Soothies (they sell them at babies r us, cvs, etc) and they help a bit (not much, just a bit but every bit counts, right?) to soothe the pain.

What is most important is that you have a good latch. The baby's top and bottom lips need to be flared and the baby has to take in more of the areola on the bottom, not just suck on the nipple.

Check out this site to see what a good latch looks like (right hand colum, under VIDEO CLIPS)
http://www.thebirthden.com/Newman.html

Hang in there and remember the pain is just for a short, short time and soon your baby will be able to latch on w/o any help and you'll have pain free nursing!!!

[AmberG]

Thanks for the advice. The pain has been a bit better today. It's mainly when they latch on. Sometimes it takes several tries for them to latch on. We tried the nipple shields at the lactation place and neither baby liked them.

I know the baby's lips are supposed to flare out slightly, but my babies' lips don't. I've been trying to pull down the bottom lip with my finger, but they pull their lip back up. Also, when I try to unlatch them with my finger, they bite down with their gums.

I might try the nipple shells. They sound like they might be helpful.

[Dawnttc]

My baby's bottom lip also sucks in and it's a total PITA to get it to flare. It takes FOREVER to get him to open wide and even then he'll suck it in, which is killing my nipples. I try to pull out the bottom lip but it doesn't always work. I also do the latch / unlatch thing over and over but that's also hard b/c it makes my nipples hurt more . . . BUT it's worth it to get the correct latch. Today for the first time he latched on perfectly two times (ok, two out of the millionth time I've nursed today, but I saw that as a success!). My oldest daughter did this too (although my 2nd child nursed like a pro from day one). I think some babies just need extra help. Hang in there, stick with it, it does get better!

The shells are worn after nursing, not during like sheilds (which I don't like unless 1,00% necessary). the shells basically just help your nipples to get air to help heal. Keep up with the nipple cream as often as you can - definitely after each feeding and in between if you can.