I think I had  my latch a little off in the first few days of feeding and got some nice cracked nipples, plenty of air and Lansinoh seemed to help.

Although a few different MW's have checked my latch and confirms its correct my nipples are still in a bit of a state and have some cracking etc on the actual nipple. I really try to ensure she has a full mouthful and she looks as though shes on right but why am I still gettting this cracking?

Also does anyone else experience about 20 seconds of toe curling pain when they first feed? MW thinks it could be my let down and said sometimes its normal for people. To be honest though its making me dread the next feed!

x

Hi Leigh, Midwife told me that nipples are the fastest healing part of your body so hopefully they won't be sore for you for much longer.

I had such bad pain and bleeding from my nipples but that was purely down to the latch. Sometimes it still hurts briefly when she latches on but after literally 5 or 10 seconds it's painless.

Have you tried different positions? I like to lie on my side in bed with her lying on the bed too and i just dip my nipple into her mouth! i find that a good position. Also when sitting down, i put a pillow on my lap and again just dip my nipple into her mouth. But make sure you hold your nipple just on her top lip to encourage her to open her mouth wider xxx

Hi Leigh

IME m/ws and HVs just aren't qualified to really support you in bfing positioning. Have you tried contacting someone like la leche league or found a bfing cafe in your area? If you want some contact info ask on the bf support board as people there have national info on where groups are held.

If the cracks aren't healing your latch is still slightly off no matter what the m/ws are telling you.

If they are healing slowly then your latch probably is good, but putting a baby onto a cracked nipple is an exercise in will power. I used to faff around with pillows, drink etc just putting off the moment when you had to feel that PAIN!!

Bfing Senan is going better than bfing any of my others, but I still have 10 seconds of sharp pain when he first latches on. Someone told me the other day that this is as the baby stretches your nipple to the back of their mouth. Once your nipple is used to being stretched the pain stops - this makes sense as feeding gets less sore the longer you do it.

Honestly, if you can stick with it and your positioning is sorted, it WILL get better.

Take care
Tamsin

Hi

I remember that feeling of dread with my first DD, I literally had scabs hanging off my nipples!!! ewwww! and the pain was awful, this time around its not AS bad...Ive found the lansinoh cream a godsend! I apply religiously after each feed. I still sometimes have pain for 10 secs and I KNOW my latch on is ok, I think its natural to have a bit of pain but it should go as they start to feed, and as your milk is in properly. Chloe is a 10days old and the pain is subsiding each feed...she is a marathon feeder though!!

Also you could try the rugby ball position, it means that a different part of the nipple is used so may give the sore bit a break? You hold baby under your arm on the side that you are feeding, so her legs are kind of wrapped around your back and she is tummy to you still, holding her head with your left hand if you are feeding from your left boob..hope that makes sense! Takes a bit of practice and lots of pillows, but you should find it if you google bf positons or in baby books?

Also the breastfeeding support board on here is fab, some very experienced bf'ing mummies on there!

Good luck..honestly it does get easier..I used to tell myself I'll get to 2 weeks and see...fed my first DD for 3 months, not bad when I nearly gave up on day 4!!!

x