FTM, BF, inverted/flat nipple

[teraiin]

Haiiii W!!

I'm sure some people with far more experience than me will weigh in, but I wanted to give you some support and encouragement tonight.

I don't have any advice about the nippleshield because I didn't use one.

However I was in pretty excruciating pain the first couple of weeks nursing so I don't think that is that uncommon. It can take awhile for our nipples to "toughen up" assuming that's all that's going in.

Things that helped:

Nipple cream - I started slathering it on in between sessions, whether I thought I felt better or not lol.
]Microwaveable/freezable gel pearl pad things - I'd microwave them and stick them in my nursing bra. I can find a link if you want.
Gel soothie pads
Air time - I pretty much walked around topless for awhile lol
Rubbing breast milk on my nipples

I hope this helps at least a little!

[emilie]

W obviously I am a newbie too, but I can at least share my experience. I am using a nipple shield as well and my nipples were really sore the first week. I found that using those gel healing pads - the Lansinoh Soothies or the Ameda ones - in between feedings really helped my nipples heal and feel better after about a week. They feel amazing, especially if you put them in the fridge first!

[pttomato]

Hugs, I'm sorry you are dealing with a lot of pain. BFing was really painful for me in the beginning too, especially the flutter sucking. There were several times in the MOTN early on when I pulled her off because I couldn't take it any more. It does get better.

I wouldn't stress about the pacifier, you have to do what you need to do to take care of yourself. Anecdotally, we gave DD a pacifier at 5 days old and she is still EBF at almost 5 months.

I really liked the gel pads when I was in pain. Nipple cream was helpful too, more over time and not as much for immediate relief, but I didn't always want to touch my nipples when they hurt in order to put it on. I preferred a thinner cream that was easier to spread, but I know lots of people like lanolin.

I also spent a lot of time shirtless so my nipples wouldn't rub against my shirt. My LC gave me some shells to put on if I needed to wear a shirt/bra so they would still get some air and I wouldn't have to deal with the shirt rubbing.

[lilyelayne]

When do your nipples hurt? All the time, just after latching, just while nursing, mostly afterward..?

No personal experience with a nipple shield but I also have inverted nipples, one worse than the other, so I've been there. The early learning to latch on nothing was rough, but it gets better.

So you're still using the nipple shield or no? Could it be the wrong size?

Do your notice the tips of your nipples are pale/white when they're hurting? Here's a link on vasospasms to see if that could be the culprit. kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/nipple-blanching/

+1 to nipple care pp recommended. Express some milk onto your nips after each feeding, air dry, then slather on nipple cream. If you're currently using lanolin consider a non lanolin cream like virgin coconut oil or Earth Mama Angel Baby nipple butter. Or vice versa.

Sizzling pain during the first 10-30 seconds of latch is very common but continuing pain to the level you describe isn't.

As long as pacifier isn't hiding hunger cues (more common if baby is super sleepy or jaundiced or preemie) and you're getting plenty of skin to skin and nursing time and baby is having appropriate amount of wet diapers (day 3 = 3 wet, 3 dirty diapers) then fret not about the pacifier.

kellymom.com/hot-topics/newborn-nursing/

[minae01]

I've had intense nipple pain the first weeks of breastfeeding - like baby had razors in her mouth, bleeding, bruised nipples that even made the LC cringe. I promise you, it gets better! I used a nipple shield for the first few weeks and I lathered my nipples in coconut oil constantly. I found that helped with the pain and the healing the most.

[LadyNymeria]

If the nipple shield helps, use it! R's pediatrician told me she used one with her daughter for 3 months. We used one for a few weeks because my right nipple is pretty flat. It helped him latch and made it less painful for me.

I don't understand the one week limit you were told. I think it's more important to get a good breastfeeding relationship going than it is to ditch the shield.

[LadyNymeria]

Big hugs W. It's hard when things don't seem to be going well compounded with the emotions and hormones that hit you after delivery.

You are doing a fantastic job!! I'm glad things seem to be getting better.

[weeklyplanner]

Jan 9, 2017 22:49:44 GMT -5 W said:

I am going to continue using the pump and ditch the nipple shield for now. I am hoping the pump will be able to bring out my nipples more. Once again, thank you all so much.

I'm glad you are feeling better. It can all be so stressful.

Have you seen a board certified LC? The way you're describing the state of your nipples, it sounds as though he could have a poor latch or a tongue/lip tie. This would contribute to him not being able to transfer milk well, thus being hungry. I found the ones at a lactation clinic in my area to be so helpful. The one at my hospital was kind of a joke.

[pttomato]

I'm glad you are feeling better, this stuff is really difficult. I have to admit I also took prescription strength ibuprofen for six weeks to deal with the pain, until my doctor told me I had to stop. That's definitely not recommended though.

[madamewaffles]

Sending love and hugs your way W!! Those first few weeks were very rough on my nips too! Don't feel bad for pumping, you are doing the most by taking care of yourself too! I [phone] to getting some gel pads and nipple cream (I responded best to the cringeworthy named Earth Mama Angel stuff). I also got a sleep nursing bra that I practically lived in for the first 3-4 months from the Rainforest, I will try to find a link for it. It is very soft and easy access for baby if you decide to try nursing again. You are doing great, mama.