(i also posted this in women's issues) Ok... baby Mandred is 6 days old. As of now, my breasts are soooo sore that I can hardly stand it. Let me STRESS that I am not about to quit just because it hurts. I am NOT going to stop breastfeeding because of pain. Now that that is clear (haha)... do you Mama's have any remedies to ease breast/nipple pain? I have heard that cool tea bags can help? Anything else? Oh, and I am allergic to lanolin, but I am using a non-lanolin nipple cream and cloth nipple pads (i am sensitive to chemicals) I have been visited by a lactation consultant and the public health nurse, and both say that he is latching right, so that isn't a problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated by both myself, my son and my husband!
well, if it's engorgment you're talking about, putting hot compresses on it really help. Also massaging the breast from the "top" down to the nipple with the palm of your hand. I've heard the thing about the tea bags too, but I never used them, so I wouldn't know. I used lanolin and it helped me, so hopefully the stuff you have does the same for you. I also found that vasaline worked pretty well. Also, let them hang out. All the air they can get is great for helping reduce the pain. I would sleep with my nursing bra on, but leave the flaps open. I needed the extra support, but after letting the air get to them did wonders!
Yeah, sounds like engorgement....Stand in a hot shower and let the water hit your breasts and the excess breastmilk should just wash down the drain. Not to mention, you'd be taking a hot shower...which is such a luxury for a new momma, let me tell you! Also, leave your boobies to air. Lanolin did nothing for me. Just letting them air out, no cream, no nothing, did it best. Felt SOOO good.
yeah, i forgot to metion the shower, too. I used to take the shower head and put it right up againts where the pain was. It felt soooooooooooooo good.
Your nipples also probably need to toughen up. They aren't used to getting so much action!!! Mine hurt so bad at first, but after a while they get used to it and it won't hurt at all....
With all three of my children, i had issues with pain that wasn't related to poor latch or engorgement; my nipples did NOT want to stretch out like they need to at first; they never did when i was nursing my son, and i gave it up after two months. i had no idea what the problem even was until i nursed my third child and had a realization--hey! Didn't they get stretchier after i nursed #2 for awhile? And wouldn't you know, after i nursed #3 for a couple of weeks, they stopped hurting. i don't know if that's your problem too, but it took some time for me, and it happened faster with each child. Also, i think its normal for breast tissue to be a bit sore until it gets used to having milk in there, if it looks engorged or not. Warmth keeps the milk flowing
Yeah, I am super engorged. Lets just say that i am no longer a EE! Which is great, as I need bigger boobs like I need a hole in the head.. lol. Oh well. I do have somewhat lazy nipples. One has gotten the hang of it, the other is still very shy. It takes longer to get a successful latch on the "shy side", but I fight through it. I did manage to take a hot shower tonight, and it did help. Thanks for the tips!
Glad it's going well Another thing that helps engorgment is just to nurse nurse nurse like freakin' mad. Nurse as much as the babe will let you LOL I've also heard cabbage leaves but never tried it myself.
We've come up with a new idea! We got a bunch of disposable nipple pads free in the mail (buy our product freebies). We are going to wet them, and then freeze them individually... when I need to use them I will just wrap them in a bit of cloth. Will get back to you once the verdict is in!
the frozen toss-away pads seem to be really helping.... plus I am not going to toss them away! Just rinse and refreeze... which shouldn't be an issue unless I had thrush or something, right? Thanks for all the help ladies, in both threads!
