6 weeks and still sore long post

HI guys I have been directed to this site for support as it seems i have tried everything but still struggling. I have pain in my nipples. They are always sore but like a sensitive raw feeling, hurts to have a shower or when clothiing brushes them. Is this just part of breast feeding? Then when babs latches on it is very painful, toe curling! Then it settles down for most of the feed except she seems to get stressed and pulls and wriggles which hurts too.

I have tried lansinoh, camillosan, breast shells, airing nipples, rubbing in breast milk, expressing some feeds, HV ruled out thrush, cabbage leaves!, warm flannels, cold compress.

For latching on i have chin to skin, tummy to mummy, nose to nipple, she has large mouthful.

When she is on she gulps loudly, her ears wiggle (so cute) sometimes she wriggles and pulls like she is stressed? but dont know. She has lots of wet/soiled nappies. Her weight is fine. My latch seems good IMO and others (mum, midwives, Health visitor, BF counsellor)

Last week though she only put on one ounce. we were trying a different way of latching on as recommended by bf counsellor. (nipple to roof of mouth instead of towrads tongue) So wondering if she is re learning how to feed, since then she has seemed frustrated and feeds for much longer.

Does anyone think the two following things could be the cause, sounds silly because its simple but could it be possible?
1.She just has a really hard suck :boob: :boob: (Ijust love that emotion!)
2.I just have really sensitive nipples

I think I am going to carry on anyway til 6 months but would much prefer if i wasnt in pain! Any help much appreciated
Sara and Isobella xxx

I can sympathise my first baby had an incredible suck and I had very sensitive nipples - i remember the toe curling well I also had the added issue that my DS used me as a dummy and onstatntly wanted to feed even long after he was full (his suck would change and he wasn't actually getting any milk)- in the end i resorted to a dummy as this was the only way he would latch off and give my nipples a chance to recover.

Six weeks is still early days and your nipples will toughen up - i would get rid of shields if you are still using them as this only prolongs the problem as I found out. You are doing all the right things with airing, creams etc as well as looking at your position - you just need to give it a few more weeks which at this point seems like a lifetime but it will pass quickly and you will look back at this point when you reach six months and almost have forgotten it. I managed to get through it - with tears and tantrums!! - and BF for 10 months so you can do it.

We are all here for support either advise or just as a friendly ear when no-one else seems to get what you are going through. :aww:

hi sara, my second baby had a very hard suck and ive always had very sensitive nipples so i can empathise too! i used shields too but stopped gradually to desensitise nipples. you are doing all the right things. my fourth i had 7yrs after i stopped feeding my 3rd and she had a very small mouth and a hard suck so i was back to the toe curling again, i did persevere and she bf eventually til 2+ the soreness i think settled down after a couple of months.
cant offer much more advice but can say yes ive been through it! :aww: :aww:
by 6mths you will probably be over this and decide to feed longer :boob:

:aww: I can't offer anymore than what has been given, but I agree about stopping with the shields if you are still using them.

Some babies have a very hard suck and she seems to be oen of those babies, your nipples will get used to it just will take time.

Well done though for getting this far!! :cheer:

:aww: :cheer: yes i should have said well done for getting this far

How is it going???

I remember thinking why does this hurt still....I thought I MUST be doing it wrong. I think that this 'if it hurts you're not doing it right' school of thought may be true MOST of the time but not always. I did the same as you but it was still toe tappingly painful for the first ten seconds or so. I think your nipples sometimes just need some time to toughen up. Not literally - I dont have rhino skin nips!! But they do get used to it.

If you've checked everything, which you sound to have, then I'd say grit your teeth and I think it will subside very soon.

In the mean time WELL DONE YOU !!!!! :cheer:

Thanks ladies still the same here! just plodding on but nice to know im not on my own. Well we have been feeding like mad this week and Isobella is a whopping 9lbs 13 oz! she put on 13oz is a week, so pleased. she is definately getting enough.


Thanks for all your support xxx

fantastic weight :cheer: well done :aww:

thats a great gain,sorry your having the toe curling but it will improve.....keep with it your doing great.

Sorry to hear you are still in pain :aww:
Sorry I can't offer any more advice than is already given but I just want to say WELL DONE :aww:

Sorry to hear the pain is no better but well mdone for you perseverence and fantastic weight gain!! :aww:

Wel done, wow what a fantastic weight gain!! x

I know I am so proud of my little angel :bf1:

Got to say through all the pain and tears, I am still really glad we're breast feeding. I wouldn't have it any other way, its just amazing x

:aww:

:aww: Well done - shows what a super mummy you are xxx