Breastfeeding just didn't work out. I'm still suffering from sore nipples, and at some point, I real…

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Breastfeeding just didn't work out. I'm still suffering from sore nipples, and at some point, I realized I just couldn't take it anymore. So for now, I've switched to a breast pump and am feeding my baby expressed milk. I'm planning to see a lactation consultant on Wednesday. I really hope we can figure out the cause of the pain and get back to breastfeeding, because externally, everything seems right: the latch is wide, her lips are flanged, and her chin is tucked. But if nothing changes, I'll have to consider combination or formula feeding. Right now, I have no idea what to do next. I'm so sad. I really wanted to breastfeed, and essentially, everything is going well except for this pain. They say the pain should go away in a couple of days, but it's been two weeks for me, and it's only getting worse. But there's good news too. Two days ago, when my baby was 21 days old, she smiled at me for the first time. And it was incredibly touching. ❤️ For now, I'm holding onto moments like these, pumping milk, and waiting for Wednesday. I really hope the consultant can help.
Hi everyone! ❤️ We're three weeks in. We've had two full weeks of exclusive breastfeeding without sh…
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Anna
Everything will be okay 🍀
I have vasospasm and scars from my previous breastfeeding journey, I barely got through the first month, it's still a bit painful but I've almost gotten used to it.
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Talantseva Evgeniya
It's really painful the first month, but then you don't feel it at all.
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Tatyana
Talantseva Evgeniya Did yours last a whole month? Everyone keeps telling me that anything longer than a week isn't normal.
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Tatyana
Anna Can it really hurt for a whole month?
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Natalya
It hurts for the first few weeks
And there's nothing wrong with IV fluids
Don't beat yourself up too much
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Tatyana
Natalya Well, I fought so hard for us to try breastfeeding overall. And it seems like it all worked out, but the pain just won't go away
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Natalya
Natalya Things happen.
Try not to get too hung up on it.
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Marina
My nipples are very sensitive; they start hurting at the beginning of pregnancy and stop hurting about two months after birth. So, the first few months of breastfeeding are just sparks and tears every time the baby latches. Ouch. Then it gets better. Maybe it's not the baby's fault.
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Antonina
When does the pain occur and how long does it last? During a letdown/while nursing/constantly? Does it go away after feeding, or do you have lingering discomfort?
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Tatyana
Marina The baby is definitely not to blame. She's trying so hard, she's sucking. What did you end up doing to ease her discomfort?
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Marina
Marina Rolling my eyes and gritting my teeth 🤷🏻️
I'm pregnant again right now, but I haven't stopped breastfeeding yet. It's scary and painful, but I can't say no...
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Mashunya
Try expressing a little milk before latching. Your breast might be too engorged, which is causing pain. This will soften your areola.
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Tatyana
Marina Is your back hurting again because of the pregnancy?
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Tatyana
Mashunya No. It hurts even when it's soft during latching.
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Marina
Marina Just read my notes, and it was painful for a little over a month with my youngest, then it got easier.
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Kira
What about trying nipple shields? I used them to nurse, but I wasn't super keen on breastfeeding myself, so it was an easy decision for me. But while I was nursing, I used shields.
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Marina
Marina Yes. I thought since I was breastfeeding, my nipples would be trained and wouldn't hurt, but nope, they hurt.
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Tatyana
Kira It's really painful with the nipple shields now. I'm waiting for it to pass a bit.
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Tatyana
Marina Oh my gosh, that sounds awful. You're my hero for enduring that!
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Talantseva Evgeniya
Talantseva Evgeniya Yes, at least a month with my first baby. I nursed through pain, but then my nipples got used to it and there was no discomfort.
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Ksyusha
Oh, how I remember our breastfeeding journey with horror... it was pure hell... my boobs were raw, I had mastitis, a fever of 104°F (40°C) – that was the first time I ever saw a temperature that high. I stopped breastfeeding, and the doctors told me to call it quits. I was screaming in pain; my spine still tingles when I think about it...
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Evdokimova Yuliya
Mashunya I had the same thing with my son, it was really painful and lasted for about a month, then it went away.
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Antonina
Antonina Is it perhaps related to a let-down reflex? If so, I experienced significant pain for the first month and a half. If your breast is full before the let-down, the pain increases tenfold.
Alternatively, it might be an issue with latching, where the nipple initially presses against the hard palate, and after the let-down, the baby shifts it to the soft palate. Try the 'sandwich' method and/or feeding semi-reclined on your back so the baby approaches the breast from above.
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Tatyana
Marina I really doubt it. I cry for days here, I never remember things like that with a laugh.
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Anna
Anna Mine are even stronger, but they get weaker each week.
It's different for everyone.
You're doing great that you can express milk; I can't. My breasts are large, and it doesn't work for me. Plus, I had mastitis 3 times. And still, I continued breastfeeding.
My daughter ate with a nipple shield, and everything was fine. But this one won't take a pacifier or a nipple shield, no matter how much I tried. But it seems he's gotten used to it, and the spasms have lessened. Taking magnesium is also really helping.
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Shuticova Alionka
God willing… we had something like a scare here, but it seems okay. Another problem. I can't express milk… it's not coming out with the breast pump… I have milk…
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Tatyana
Ksyusha Oh no. I'm so incredibly sorry for you!
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Shuticova Alionka
Shuticova Alionka So that's it. I was using it. I don't know. It's not working. The internet says this can happen... I could cry. I need to leave during the day and can't leave milk... I don't know what to do.
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